2023 National Conference | JET Alumni Association of Northern California and Nevada

JETAA USA National Conference

September 8-10, 2023 | Monterey, CA

The JETAA USA National Conference ("NatCon") is an annual gathering of representatives from all 19 US chapters of the Japan Exchange & Teaching (JET) Program Alumni Association USA, as well as affiliate institutions and partners, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan (MOFA), Council of Local Authorities for International Relations (CLAIR) / Japan Local Government Center (JLGC), USJETAA, Sasakawa Peace Foundation USA, and others.

First organized in 2002, NatCon has been hosted by a different JETAA USA chapter each year until transitioning to a virtual format in 2020. This is the first year of resuming in-person conference activities since the pandemic. Entirely volunteer-led, JET Alumni Associations assist in the recruitment and training of new JET participants, work to strengthen US-Japan relations and cultural exchange in their local communities, and support JET alumni after they return home. NatCon serves as a critical networking and professional development event for chapter leaders and members to discuss challenges, celebrate successes, find inspiration, and explore opportunities for collaboration.

JETAANC is very excited to partner with the Middlebury Institute of International Studies in Monterey to host the in-person portions of NatCon in Monterey, September 8-10 (Fri-Sun).

Registration & Participation

JETAA USA Chapter Central - Information for official JETAA chapter delegates & affiliate institution representatives.
Virtual NatCon Registration - Most sessions will be available in a hybrid format. Online participation is open to all JET alumni and Friends of JET.
In-Person NatCon Registration - Certain sessions, as well as social activities, will be open to JET alumni who are interested in joining in-person. Capacity varies depending on the venue and activity. Jump down to preview the schedule or click the button below to view available sessions and register.

In-Person Conference Registration

Logistics & Resources

Getting to Monterey

The easiest way to get to Monterey from the San Francisco Bay Area is the Monterey Airbus, which departs regularly from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) and San Jose International Airport (SJC). You do not need to fly into either airport to book a shuttle. Round-trip transportation is less than $120 if booked online. Select the Monterey Shuttle Station (438 Calle Principal) as your destination to be dropped off within walking distance to MIIS.

Getting Around

Monterey-Salinas Transit (MST) - Local busses with extensive routes across the peninsula; $2 for a 2-hour pass, or $6 for a day pass
Uber / Lyft - Both ride share services are active in Monterey. We recommend booking rides in advance given the number of people who will be in town for the weekend.
Yellow Cab - Can be booked by phone (831-333-1234) or via RapidRide (online | Android App | Apple App)

Bike Rentals

The Coastal Recreation Trail is a popular and incredibly scenic way to get around the Monterey Peninsula. The Asilomar-Monterey route can be anywhere from 3 to 5.6 miles (depending on how scenic you want it to be) and takes about 25-30 minutes. The route is mostly flat with some gentle inclines; most of the distance is along the paved recreation trail, with the initial couple miles on Ocean View Blvd (there is a bike lane).

Workhorse Bicycles ($42/2-days for regular bike) - Good option if you want to rent for the whole conference. They are within walking distance to MIIS in downtown Monterey.
Asilomar Gift Shop ($40 per bike, must be returned by sundown)
Adventures by the Sea ($85/day for e-bike, $50 for regular bike) - Several locations along the coastal recreation trail and many modes of transportation to choose from.

Where to Stay

Most official chapter delegates and representatives will stay at the Asilomar Conference Grounds, which is in Pacific Grove, about a 15-minute drive from downtown Monterey. There are no special conference accommodations packages for individual conference attendees. Individual attendees are welcome to stay at Asilomar, but given that most activities on Friday and Saturday will be held in Monterey, booking a hotel in downtown Monterey may be more convenient. Any hotel along Munras Avenue would be a good option.

Hotels within walking distance to MIIS:

Events

Asilomar History Tour - Sept 8 (Fri) 10-11:30 AM - This free 90-minute tour tells the story of Asilomar dating back over 100 years to its creation as a Y.W.C.A. summer camp and conference grounds and celebrates the women who created Asilomar to inspire generations of the early 20th century
Festa Italia @ Custom House Plaza - Friday 3-9 PM, Saturday 10 AM - 9 PM, Sunday 10 AM - 9 PM) - 90th annual festival celebrating Italian history, heritage, and culture on the Monterey Peninsula @ Custom House Plaza)
Monterey Symphony, Love Letter to Hollywood, Vol. 1 - Sept 5-6 (Tues-Wed) 6:30 PM @ Forest Theater, Carmel-by-the-Sea, Sept 7 (Thurs) 7:00 PM @ Sherwood Hall, Salinas - Monterey Symphony pays tribute to Hollywood with music from Coco, Star Wars, Pink Panther, Cinema Paradiso and much more
Late Happy Hour @ Wild Fish Restaurant, Pacific Grove - Fridays & Saturdays 8-10 PM - Live music and discounted food and beverages
Karaoke Night @ Links Golf Club, Carmel-by-the-Sea - Saturday 8-10 PM

Event Calendars

Things to See & Do

Adventures by the Sea - bike, surrey, kayak, and paddleboard rentals
Whale watching
Cannery Row
Monterey Bay Aquarium
Fishermans' Wharf
Monterey State Historic Park
Cannery Row
Pacific House Museum

Local Treats & Omiyage

Chaya Tea & Things - Japanese tea shop with antiques and local crafts
Lula's Chocolates
Big Sur Salts
Happy Girl Kitchen - Cafe and market with locally made jams, pickles, shrubs, and other preserved goods
Captain + Stoker Coffee Roasters
Five and Dime
Alvarado Street Brewery - local brewery with a wide selection of popular classics and new brews
A Taste of Monterey - wine market and bistro on Cannery Row with knowledgeable sommeliers; great for tasting, exploring, and buying local wines!

About the Monterey Bay Area

About the Monterey Peninsula
The Monterey Peninsula anchors the northern portion on the Central Coast of California and consists of Monterey, Carmel, Pacific Grove, and Pebble Beach. California State Route 1 is the major north-south highway that runs through the Monterey Peninsula.

Learn more about Monterey and its history:

About Asilomar
Widely known as Monterey Peninsula’s “refuge by the sea”, Asilomar State Beach and Conference Grounds is made up of 107 acres of ecologically diverse beachfront land. You can walk out to the Asilomar State Beach, where you can explore the Asilomar Coast Trail, Asilomar Dunes Natural Preserve, and the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. Many of the original buildings at Asilomar were designed by architect Julia Morgan, and you can join a self-guided walking tour to explore the architecture and history of Asilomar.

Find out more on their website: www.visitasilomar.com

Schedule Overview

Schedule subject to change up-to and during the conference

[Early Arrivals] Thursday, September 7

Time	Session Title	Location	Format	In-Person Participation
6:00 PM	Early Arrival Dinner	Monterey	In-Person	Unlimited (registration required)
9:00 AM	Optional / Self-Guided Activities	Monterey	In-Person	Unlimited

[Day 1] Friday, September 8 - Introduction to MIIS & Monterey

Time	Session Title	Location	Format	In-Person Participation
Morning	Delegate Arrival	Monterey	In-Person
1:00 PM	Attendee Check-In	MIIS Campus	In-Person
1:30 PM	MIIS Introduction & Campus Tour	MIIS Campus	Hybrid	Limited (registration required)
3:30 PM	Japan-Monterey History	JACL Heritage Center	Hybrid	Limited (registration required)
6:00 PM	USJETAA Reception	Asilomar	In-Person	Official delegates only
7:30 PM	Optional Nijikai & Social Activities in Asilomar	Asilomar	In-Person	Unlimited (RSVP recommended)

[Day 2] Saturday, September 9 - Professional Development & Networking

Time	Session Title	Location	Format	In-Person Participation
9:00 AM	Welcome Remarks	MIIS Campus	Hybrid	Limited (registration required)
9:30 AM	Keynote - Alumni as Ambassadors: The Influence of JETAA in US-Japan Relations	MIIS Campus	Hybrid	Limited (registration required)
10:40 AM	Careers Panel Discussion	MIIS Campus	Hybrid	Limited (registration required)
11:50 AM	Remarks from Consulate General of Japan in San Francisco	MIIS Campus	Hybrid	Limited (registration required)
12:00 PM	Lunch Reception for Recent JET Returnees	MIIS Campus	In-Person	Consulate guests & official delegates only
1:00 PM	Senpai-Kohai Exchange	MIIS Campus	Hybrid	Limited (registration required)
2:00 PM	[Engage] Language Professions & Pedagogy Roundtable	MIIS Campus	Hybrid	Limited (registration required)
2:00 PM	[Sustain] Dormancy & (Re)Starting Chapters	MIIS Campus	Hybrid	Limited (registration required)
2:00 PM	[Train] JETAAMC Bouncing Back from the Pandemic	MIIS Campus	Hybrid	Limited (registration required)
3:00 PM	[Engage] Creating Community Connections and Chapter Legacy Programs	MIIS Campus	Hybrid	Limited (registration required)
3:00 PM	[Sustain] Addressing Chapter Leadership Burnout	MIIS Campus	Hybrid	Limited (registration required)
3:00 PM	[Engage] Understanding & Engaging with Your Japan America Society	MIIS Campus	Hybrid	Limited (registration required)
3:00 PM	[Train] Connecting & Engaging Members with Discord	MIIS Campus	Hybrid	Limited (registration required)
4:00 PM	[Engage] Sister City Collaborations	MIIS Campus	Hybrid	Limited (registration required)
4:00 PM	[Train] AJET - Connecting with Current JETs in Japan	MIIS Campus	Hybrid	Limited (registration required)
4:00 PM	[Sustain] Moving Towards a Committee Based Board Structure	MIIS Campus	Hybrid	Limited (registration required)
5:00 PM	Day 2 Wrap -Up & Day 3 Preview	MIIS Campus	Hybrid	Official delegates only
6:00 PM	CLAIR Reception	Asilomar	In-Person	Official delegates only
7:30 PM	Optional Nijikai & Social Activities in Monterey	Monterey	In-Person	Unlimited (RSVP recommended)

[Day 3] Sunday, September 10 - JETAA Leadership*

*Sessions will be limited to official on-site delegates and online participants.

Time	Session Title	Location	Format	In-Person Participation
9:00 AM	International Representative Presentations	Asilomar	Hybrid	Official delegates & online attendees only
9:30 AM	JETAA USA Chapter Council Session	Asilomar	Hybrid	Official delegates & online attendees only
11:30 AM	Conference Reflection & Closing	Asilomar	Hybrid	Official delegates & online attendees only
12:00 PM	CLAIR Departure Lunch	Asilomar	In-Person	Official delegates only
1:00 PM	Post-Conference Optional / Self-Guided Activities	Monterey	In-Person	Unlimited