The IKAA Gathering 2019 will take place in Seoul, Korea on July 30 – August 4, 2019 and will promote the connection of adult Korean adoptees to each other and their Korean heritage, as well as welcome future generations of adoptees into the adoptee community. This is the largest conference of its kind, occurring only once every three years, with attendees from all across the United States, Europe, and Asia. Attendance in 2019 is expected to reach over 500 participants.
The workshops and sessions at the IKAA Gatherings provide a time for participants to explore more specific topics related to adoption, the adoptee experience, or the themes of the Gatherings. Past sessions and topics have included birth family search, birth family reunion experiences, building relationships with birth family members post-reunion, Korea from a historical perspective, developments in domestic Korean adoption, working and living in Korea, Korean adoptees’ relationships with adoptive family, parenthood, exploring identity through art, and much more. The age breakout sessions, one of the most popular, provide the opportunity to meet and talk about personal experiences with others of a similar age, regardless of their adoptive country.
WHEN
July 30 – August 4, 2019
WHERE
The Lotte Hotel Seoul near Myeongdong
WHO
Korean Adoptees: 18 years and older (18 western age is 19 in Korea). Their partners/spouses and their children.
Some special sessions & events during the Gathering will be open to Korean nationals.
LANGUAGE
The conference language is English, although some sessions may be held in other languages.
The IKAA Gathering 2019 will take place in Seoul, Korea on July 30 – August 4, 2019 and will promote the connection of adult Korean adoptees to each other and their Korean heritage, as well as welcome future generations of adoptees into the adoptee community. This is the largest conference of its kind, occurring only once every three years, with attendees from all across the United States, Europe, and Asia. Attendance in 2019 is expected to reach over 500 participants.
The workshops and sessions at the IKAA Gatherings provide a time for participants to explore more specific topics related to adoption, the adoptee experience, or the themes of the Gatherings. Past sessions and topics have included birth family search, birth family reunion experiences, building relationships with birth family members post-reunion, Korea from a historical perspective, developments in domestic Korean adoption, working and living in Korea, Korean adoptees’ relationships with adoptive family, parenthood, exploring identity through art, and much more. The age breakout sessions, one of the most popular, provide the opportunity to meet and talk about personal experiences with others of a similar age, regardless of their adoptive country.
WHEN
July 30 – August 4, 2019
WHERE
Lotte Hotel Seoul near Myeongdong
WHO
Korean Adoptees: 18 years and older (18 western age is 19 in Korea). Their partners/spouses and their children.
Some special sessions & events during the Gathering will be open to Korean nationals.
LANGUAGE
The conference language is English, although some sessions may be held in other languages.
The IKAA Gathering 2019 will take place in Seoul, Korea from July 30 – August 4, 2019 and will promote the connection of adult Korean adoptees to each other and their Korean heritage, as well as welcome future generations of adoptees into the adoptee community. This is the largest conference of its kind, occurring only once every three years, with attendees from all across the United States, Europe, and Asia. Attendance in 2019 is expected to reach over 500 participants.
The workshops and sessions at the IKAA Gatherings provide a time for participants to explore more specific topics related to adoption, the adoptee experience, or the themes of the Gatherings. Past sessions and topics have included birth family search, birth family reunion experiences, building relationships with birth family members post-reunion, Korea from a historical perspective, developments in domestic Korean adoption, working and living in Korea, Korean adoptees’ relationships with adoptive family, parenthood, exploring identity through art, and much more. The age breakout sessions, one of the most popular, provide the opportunity to meet and talk about personal experiences with others of a similar age, regardless of their adoptive country.
WHEN
July 30 – August 4, 2019
WHERE
The Lotte Hotel Seoul near Myeongdong
WHO
Korean Adoptees: 18 years and older (18 western age is 19 in Korea). Their partners/spouses and their children.
Some special sessions & events during the Gathering will be open to Korean nationals.
LANGUAGE
The conference language is English, although some sessions may be held in other languages.
The theme of the IKAA Gathering 2019 is Spanning Generations: Communities, Families, & Leadership. We are a constantly growing and changing network, as our community continues to mature both in our personal lives as well as within our respective organizations. Many adoptees have moved into new life stages and/or started families of their own, and there has been a notable shift in needs and interests among members of our community. The IKAA G19 theme marks an effort to address this evolution, provide a space that is more inclusive of the families of adoptees, and support the next generation of emerging leaders, while continuing to offer programming and activities that are engaging and relevant for the broader adoptee community, from attendees who have been to all 6 Gatherings in Korea, to attendees who are participating in their first adoptee event!
IKAA Gathering 2019 is Spanning Generations: Communities, Families, & Leadership. As a constantly growing and changing network, our community continues to mature both in our personal lives as well as within our respective organizations. Many adoptees have moved into new life stages and/or started families of their own, and there has been a notable shift in needs and interests among members of our community. The IKAA G19 theme marks an effort to address this evolution, provide a space that is more inclusive of the families of adoptees, and support the next generation of emerging leaders, while continuing to offer programming and activities that are engaging and relevant for the broader adoptee community, from attendees who have been to all 6 Gatherings in Korea, to attendees who are participating in their first adoptee event!
The theme of the IKAA Gathering 2019 is Spanning Generations: Communities, Families, & Leadership. We are a constantly growing and changing network, as our community continues to mature both in our personal lives as well as within our respective organizations. Many adoptees have moved into new life stages and/or started families of their own, and there has been a notable shift in needs and interests among members of our community. The IKAA G19 theme marks an effort to address this evolution, provide a space that is more inclusive of the families of adoptees, and support the next generation of emerging leaders, while continuing to offer programming and activities that are engaging and relevant for the broader adoptee community, from attendees who have been to all 6 Gatherings in Korea, to attendees who are participating in their first adoptee event!
The Registration Fees Are Per Person: Adoptee, Spouse/Partner, or Child.
The registration fee covers conference activities & materials, welcome reception, gala dinner, farewell concert & party and other meals provided at the conference. (Does not include accommodation, airfare, transfers to and from the airport or optional activities).
All conference registration fees are inclusive of processing fees, and will not be considered complete until payment has been received. Registrations made prior to the deadline, but without payment will be subject to the registration fee current at the time of payment (your payment date will determine your registration completion date). Payments must be made thru PayPal (you do not need to have a PayPal account to make a payment through PayPal).
All conference registration fees are inclusive of processing fees, and will not be considered complete until payment has been received. Registrations made prior to the deadline, but without payment will be subject to the registration fee current at the time of payment (your payment date will determine your registration completion date). Payments must be made thru PayPal (you do not need to have a PayPal account to make a payment through PayPal).
U.S.A.
AK Connection (MN) / Also-Known-As, Inc (NY) / Asian Adult Adoptees of Washington (WA) / Korean Adoptees of Hawai’i (HI) / Association of Korean Adoptees-SoCal (CA) / Adoption Links (D.C.) / Korean Adoptees of Chicago (IL)
EUROPE
Adopted Koreans’ Association (SE) / Arierang (NL) / Korea Klubben (DK) / Racines Coréennes (FR) / Korean Italian Adoptees (IT) / Belgian Adoptees from Korea (BE)
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can attend the IKAA Gathering 2019?
The IKAA Gatherings are open to all Korean adoptees ages 18+, their spouses/partners, and family.
Can I volunteer at the IKAA Gathering 2019?
Yes! We love volunteers, especially considering that this conference is run entirely by volunteer efforts! Please contact [email protected] for further inquiry.
If I volunteer, can I receive a discount on registration?
Unfortunately, due to the fact that IKAA is run by an all-volunteer board, it is not possible to receive any discounts as the registration fees go towards meals, activities, and meeting space for the Gathering.
Is there a dress code?
For the most part, the Gathering is pretty casual, but we do have a business attire dress code for the opening ceremonies, formal dress code for the Gala dinner, and a black and white dress code for the Official IKAA After Party.
Runs approximately every 15-20 minutes — for the complete schedule, please visit the KAL Limousine Bus Website.
Takes ~70 minutes to get to the Lotte Hotel
KRW 16,000 (Adult) — Tickets purchased at the KAL Limousine Counter (#22) or at the KAL Limousine Bus Stop
Taxi
There are different types of taxis in Korea — regular/standard taxis (silver or orange) and deluxe/luxury taxis (black). For more information on the differences between the taxis, click here.
Fares from ICN to the Lotte Hotel will be around KRW 65,000-75,000 for regular taxis and KRW 95,000-100,000 for deluxe taxis.
Additional Transportation Options
Please visit the “To & From Airport” page on the Incheon Airport Website.
We are happy to announce that the IKAA Gathering 2016 will take place, once again, at the 5-Star LOTTE Hotel in downtown Seoul (Myeongdong district – NOT Jamsil)!
The exclusive room rate for G16 participants is:
165,000 KRW per night for a double room (1-2 persons) (approx. $142 USD/€133) + 10% service + 10% tax for foreigners
215,000 KRW per night for a triple room (approx. $180 USD / €169) + 10% service + 10% tax for foreigners
270,000 KRW (Family Room – easily fits 4 persons) per night for a Deluxe Twin and Extra bed + 10% service + 10% tax for foreigners
*The rate includes FREE WIFI in the entire hotel + FREE access to the indoor swimming pool and Health Club.*
**During the dates of the conference, free continental breakfast (Tues, Wed, Thurs, Fri, Sat) will be provided by the Gathering, but ONLY for those staying at the Lotte Hotel.**
***For your convenience, this significantly discounted rate will also be available to Gathering participants from one week before and one week after the gathering.***
To obtain the exclusive Gathering hotel rate you have to make your booking through the special link sent to you, once you have completed your registration for the conference. This link will be available mid/end January.
IKAA strongly encourages all G16 registrations to stay at the Lotte Hotel from Tuesday, August 2nd through Sunday, August 7th (5 nights). This will help ensure that you have easy access to all of the many programs and events happening throughout the week. In addition, by choosing to stay at the Lotte Hotel, you are supporting IKAA to secure the banquet rooms, conference facilities, equipment, and meals that are essential for a successful Gathering, which is why participants staying at the Lotte Hotel for the duration of the Gathering will receive a discount on their registration fees.
We have secured a discount for IKAA G16 Participants for SIM cards to be used in your own, unlocked phone with UNLIMITED 4G/LTE DATA plans through Link Korea!
HOW TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS OFFER:
Complete your IKAA G16 Check-In and receive your conference materials, including your G16 Badge.
Visit the Link Korea Booth, next to the IKAA G16 Registration Check-In Table on August 1st, August 2nd, or August 3rd, with your Passport, Cash (in KRW), and your G16 Badge.
Let them know which Rental Period option you would like, get your SIM card, and pay.
Enjoy your trip with unlimited 4G/LTE data!
FAQ BUTTON
From the US:
Discounted flights on Korean Air from the US have been negotiated for those who have registered for the Gathering 2016. If you have registered, you will receive the contact information to book your airfare, if you so choose.
Examples of the discount (from the KAL) website are $1,170 US West Coast July departures with US discounts approximating 7-12% from other gateway cities. Any connecting flights will be at regular website rates. Discount prices for the US will be available only through March 31, although the airline may extend that deadline depending on availability.
From Europe:
Korean Air Discount for Gathering participants:
From Paris (CDG) / Rome (FCO) / Milano (MXP) / Amsterdam (AMS) / London (LHR) / Frankfurt (FRA) / Copenhagen (CPH) / Stockholm (STO) To Korea: Seoul (ICN), CJU, PUS, USN, KWJ, RSU, HIN, TAE, KPO
Discount: 6% on fares available on www.koreanair.com (KE website fares are already discounted by 4% compared to Korean Air public fares).
Departure Period: July 15th to August 4th, 2016 Last Date of Return: August 31, 2016
How to get the Gathering Promotion Code (from Europe):
1. Once registered for the Gathering 2016, send an email to [email protected] and get the KE promotion code (1 per registrant).
2. Book your flight online on www.koreanair.com and enter the promotion code.
3. Send a copy of your e-ticket and your departure date to [email protected].
G19 Checklist — I have…:
❏ Completed registration and received my confirmation and e-ticket(s) via email.
❏ Sent a clear, good quality headshot photo of myself and those I have registered for (if applicable), to be used for the Conference ID Badge to [email protected].
❏ Reserved a Hotel Room (registered participants will receive a link to make their reservation online with the discounted G19 rate)
❏ Joined the IKAA G19 Registered Participants Facebook Group, where registered participants will be the first to know about updates.
❏ Booked my flight to South Korea. IKAA will provide information about discounted airfares in the IKAA G19 Registered Participants Facebook Group and on the website as it becomes available.
❏ Printed the e-ticket, to be presented for Registration Check-In at the Lotte Hotel and to receive my G19 ID Badge
❏ Informed my local IKAA Member Organization about my registration so they can keep me updated about discounted flights, information sessions and meetings with other participants (a list of IKAA Member Organizations is available at the IKAA Website: www.ikaa.org).
