When
THE FIRST WEEK OF AUGUST: August 3 - 8, 2010 (Tuesday to Sunday)
Where
The Lotte Hotel in downtown Seoul. This is a 5-star hotel that offers a special discount to Gathering participants.
For exclusive Gathering room rates, hotel details or to make a reservation, please visit the Accommodations page.
Who
Korean adoptees: 18 years and older (18 western age is 19 in Korea)
Partners/spouses and children of adoptees.
There will be special sessions during the Gathering that will be open to Korean nationals, in addition to the Research Symposium on Tuesday, August 3, 2010, the Art Exhibition (will be open throughout the week) and the Adoptee World Cup Games.
Language
The main language will be in English. We are actively looking for some sessions to be held in other languages as well (primarily French). Some volunteers may be available to provide translation services.
Costs:
Airfare – we will be posting information on airfare specials from Europe and Scandinavia. We should have a group rate special from most cities in North America as well. This information will be posted on the IKAA website sometime in January 2010.
Accommodation – The Lotte Hotel in Seoul. Information for booking the special conference room rate will be available in early January 2010, at the special rate for Gathering participants.
Conference fee – The registration fees are per adult person, adoptee or spouse/partner.
The fee is $175 per person (~ 120 Euro) if booked and paid by March 16, 2010.
The fee is $250 per person (~ 170 Euro) if booked and paid between March 16, 2010 and May 31, 2010.
The fee is $275 per person (~ 185 Euro) if booked and paid between June 30, 2010 and July 15, 2010.
The fee is $300 per person (~ 202 Euro) if booked and paid after July 15, 2010, although your information will not be available for the Conference directory.
**Please note that your registration fee will be assessed in accordance with the date payment is received.
The fee for children, Korean nationals or adoption agency professionals will be posted on the website in January 2010.
We know that unforeseen circumstances can arise, so we will allow for cancellations and refunds, less a $25 administrative fee, if a registrant contacts us and requests a refund by April 30, 2010.
Conference fee covers
The registration fee covers conference material & activities, directory, many meals provided at the conference, breaks and transportation to and from the conference venues (does not include accommodation, airfare, transfers to and from the airport).
Deadline: July 15, 2010
All registrations are subject to availability and will be on a first come, first serve basis.
Children
There will not be any special programs for children. Parents will be responsible for the care, feeding and well-being of their own children. Children are not allowed to be left unattended in their hotel rooms. There may be volunteers available, but it is not anticipated at this time.
Airfare
The IKAA Gathering 2010 Committee is in the process of negotiating discounted airfares for Gathering attendees from various U.S. and European departure cities. More information will follow.
Passport and Visa
You must have a current passport to enter the Republic of Korea. It may take many months to obtain, so don’t delay. Most conference participants coming from Western countries can travel to Korea without having to obtain a tourist visa prior to entry. Upon arrival at Incheon International Airport, Immigration & Customs officials will stamp a tourist visa in your passport – Americans (up to 90 days), Canadians (up to 6 months), many Europeans (up to 90 days) and Australians (up to 90 days).
However, make sure you double check before coming to Korea, by contacting your local Korean consulate or embassy. You can also visit the Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade website for information about required travel documents (if any) or to find your nearest Korean consulate or embassy.
Insurance
Travel insurance must be taken care of individually by each participant and is strongly recommended.
Post Gathering Tours
Different tours will be provided after the Gathering. Tours will last between 3-12 days. Some tours are for adoptees only, with priority given to first time visitors to Korea, while other tours will be open to families. More information will soon be available on the IKAA website.
Organizers
IKAA - International Korean Adoptee Associations:
Adopted Koreans' Association - Sweden
AK Connection - U.S.A. (Minnesota)
Also-Known-As, Inc. - U.S.A. (New York)
Arierang - The Netherlands
Asian Adult Adoptees of Washington - U.S.A. (Seattle)
Korea Klubben - Denmark
Racines Coréennes - France
Supporting associations:
Korean Adoptees of Hawai’i (KAHI)
Asian Adult Adoptees of British Columbia (AAABC)
Contact info
IKAA Gathering 2010
P.O.Box 19647
Seattle, WA 98109-6647
U.S.A.
E-mail: info@ikaa.org
Should you have any further questions or specific concerns, please contact your local IKAA member association directly.
