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General Conference FAQ


How can I get to the conference?

Where can I pick up my conference pass?

Can I buy a conference pass onsite?

Can I pay onsite by credit card?

Can I get an attendance certificate?

Where can I get an official receipt for the conference fee?

Is the conference program book available online?

Where are the plenary sessions?

Is there a Conference Orientation Session again this year?

Where can I stay?

What time does the conference finish?

Is there a conference app again this year?

Will there be coffee onsite again this year?

Will there be a membership social event again this year?

Are there lunch places nearby?

Can I get a discounted parking pass?

Is there an employment center this year?

Can I leave my luggage somewhere?

What are the voting hours for the KOTESOL elections booth?


How can I get to the conference?

The conference will be held at Sookmyung Women's University 2nd Campus (숙명여자대학교 제 2 캠퍼스; note that this is across the street from last year's venue). The nearest subway stop is Sookmyung Women's University Station (숙명여대역, Line 4).

Detailed directions, along with photos, are available HERE

Venue floor plans of the conference site may be found HERE.


Where can I pick up my conference pass?

The registration area is in a new location this year! All attendees can pick up their conference pass in the B1 Lobby of the new Prime Building, the main building for this year's conference, located just off the street in the second campus (on the left side of the street if you're coming up the hill from the subway station). You can't miss us! 

Once inside, if you have pre-registered, look for the Pre-Registration sign. Your pass will be filed under your last/family name (ex: Hong, Kim, Smith).

If you're registering onsite, look for the On-Site Registration sign.

Presenters, please look for the Presenter Check-in sign.

Conference registration hours:
Saturday 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Sunday 8 a.m.-1 p.m.

Note: Conference passes will not be available after 1 p.m. on Sunday. Please plan accordingly!


Can I buy a conference pass onsite?

Yes! You may purchase a conference pass onsite.
Prices are as follows*:

Conference Pass (Saturday & Sunday)
60,000 won for members (membership expiration after 10/31/2019)
85,000 won for non-members (Note: Add a KOTESOL membership for
25,000 won more!)
30,000 won for full-time undergraduate students
110,000 won for 1-year domestic membership + conference pass

Sunday-Only Pass
30,000 won for members (membership expiration after 10/31/2019)
40,000 won for nonmembers
15,000 won for full-time undergraduate students

*Note: We can accept CASH ONLY (Korean won). 

Conference registration hours:
Saturday 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Sunday 8 a.m.-1 p.m.


Can I pay onsite by credit card?

Korea TESOL is unable to accept credit cards. If you choose to register at the conference venue, please bring cash (Korean won) only.

Why no credit cards?

While credit card processing by for-profit businesses in South Korea is supported and even encouraged by the government, the banking laws, tax structures, and reporting systems here make the use of credit cards in nonprofit associations difficult and expensive. Accordingly, almost no academic society in Korea does so. The same is true for electronic payment systems such as PayPal and KakaoPay. In addition, off-shore banking and use of personal accounts in lieu of registered organization bank accounts create significant legal liability for both the association and the individuals involved.


Can I get an attendance certificate?

Yes! For attendees who need official documentation of the number professional development hours they spent at the International Conference, you can get a printed certificate in the registration area. 

Hours of operation:           
Saturday 12:00-5:00 p.m.
Sunday 12:00-3:00 p.m.
Be sure to request your attendance certificate by 3 p.m. on Sunday!


Where can I get an official receipt for the conference fee?

You may request an official receipt to submit to an employer at Registration.

Hours of operation:
Saturday 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Sunday 8 a.m.-1 p.m.


Is the conference program book available online?

Yes! You may download the full-version PDF of the conference book HERE


Where are the plenary sessions?

The opening ceremonies and plenary sessions will be held on the plenary stage of Centennial Hall. Look for "Stairs to Prime Building and Plenary Hall" on the B1 floor plan to start the short walk to the Centennial Building. Please follow the signs and guides along the way.


Is there a Conference Orientation Session again this year?

Yes! First-time conference attendees are welcome to join conference veterans for an introduction to the conference. Enjoy conference tips, a conference overview, socializing, and a prize draw on Saturday at 10 a.m. in Room R407!


Where can I stay?

We encourage those visiting Seoul for the conference to consider staying at our official conference hotel: The Best Western Premier Seoul Garden Hotel. 

Use the form available HERE to get the preferential rate offered to KOTESOL conference attendees.

If Best Western is all booked, Seoul Station is one short subway stop away from the conference venue. There are many accommodation options to choose from around Seoul Station as well as around Sookmyung Women's University. Other areas within a 15- to 20-minute taxi ride include Yongsan Station, Myeongdong, Gongdeok, City Hall, Samgakji, Noksapyeong, Chungmuro, and Jongno-3-ga; Chungmuro, Myeongdong, Seoul Station, and Samgakji are all on the same subway line (Line 4) as Sookmyung Women’s University.

The options range from five-star hotels to wallet-friendly guesthouses. You should have little trouble finding a place to suit your needs via any major booking website, such as Booking.com or Agoda.com.


What time does the conference finish?

The Closing Ceremony and Raffle ends at 4 p.m. on Sunday—but that’s not the end! All members are invited to the 2019 Annual Business Meeting 4:15-5:00 p.m. in P104. The meeting will include reports on the state of the organization, the announcement of election results, a vote on a proposed amendment to the KOTESOL Bylaws, and more. Additional details are HERE


Is there a conference app again this year?

Yes! Whova is the KOTESOL international conference app this year, and you may find a download link HERE


Will there be coffee onsite again this year?

Yes! Coffee and other beverages will be available for purchase at the KOTESOL Cafe. 

And if you bring a new KOTESOL-branded 400ml tumbler bought for 10,000₩ from the Membership Desk, we'll fill these tumblers with coffee for just 1,000 won at the KOTESOL Cafe throughout the conference.


Will there be a membership social event again this year?

Yes! All members are invited to the Members Wine-and-Cheese Social on Saturday night from 6:15-7:15 p.m. in the Renaissance Plaza. More information is available HERE


Are there lunch places nearby?

Yes! Conference attendees can get light refreshments at the KOTESOL Cafe. 
There are also numerous restaurants along the street in front of the Sookmyung Women's University campus. An image of a detailed map of places to eat nearby may be downloaded HERE


Can I get a discounted parking pass?

Yes! Ask for a parking voucher at the Information Desk. 

Hours of operation:               
Saturday 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Sunday 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m


Is there an employment center this year?

There isn’t an onsite employment center, but in the Whova app, under Exhibitors, there’s a section called Employment, where some employment opportunities are posted.

Also on the app, there’s a thread called Job Openings under the Community tab, where employers and job seekers may post. 


Can I leave my coat and luggage somewhere?

Yes, a complimentary coat and bag check is available onsite.

Coat and bag check hours:
Saturday 8 a.m.-6:30 p.m.
Sunday 8 a.m.-4 p.m.


What are the voting hours for the KOTESOL elections booth?

You may vote in the KOTESOL elections at the following times:

Saturday 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Sunday 10 a.m.-2 p.m.