The Language Teacher
November 2002
A Chapter in Your Life
Mark Zeid
JALT Business Manager
This month, Mark Zeid, JALT2002 Program Co-Chair, informs us about the invaluable assistance received from our corporate sponsors. The coeditors of this column invite you to submit an 800-word report about your chapter or group in Japanese, English, or a combination of both.
Our Corporate Sponsors
This year's conference, JALT2002, taking place at Granship Shizuoka on November 22-24, is going to be a great success, thanks in no small part to our Corporate Sponsors (formerly Associate Members). These companies, universities, and individuals once again have given us extraordinary assistance, which will enable us to enjoy two full days of 350 presentations, meetings, displays, and lots of fun.
The cornerstone of this support once again is the British Council, which is sponsoring our plenary speaker, Jane Willis, from Aston University in Birmingham, UK. For more than a decade, the British Council has supported JALT conferences by sponsoring plenary speakers and participating in all of our programs.
One of the most visible signs of support will be the Oxford Debate and Classics Party, being brought to us by Towry Law and Oxford University Press. The event starts with a debate among several featured speakers including Henry Widdowson. Immediately following the debate, an Irish band will provide music while conference participants get the chance to socialize with free drinks. In addition, there will be a drawing at the party with some great prizes.
Possibly the most popular sponsored item will be free coffee for all conference participants throughout the two days in Shizuoka. This year, the Corporate Sponsors have combined their resources to provide this service. All of the Corporate Sponsors participating in the Educational Materials Exhibition are helping to pay for free coffee for everyone.
Another visible sign of support will be the name badges provided by Temple University.
One of the most remarkable signs of support is the size of the Educational Materials Exhibition. More than 40 publishers, universities, booksellers, and other companies are participating in the event. This will be one of the largest displays of educational materials, continuing educational programs, and other services in years. Included are several new members with new, interesting products for teachers.
The greatest support has come from individuals who have given us so much assistance, guidance, and encouragement. Paul Riley from Oxford University Press took on the role of AM liaison and helped us set up meetings to prepare for the conference. He also gave a great deal of advice on how to deal with many of our problems. James Hursthouse of TCI Japan helped arrange the coffee service. Uwabo Mayumi of Thomson Learning and Niwano Keiko of Scholastic persuaded their companies to provide us with materials for JALT2002. Bill Gatton of DynEd, Japan, along with Abax, Longman Pearson, and Cambridge University Press, helped us with setting up services at the conference and promoting participation among the Corporate Sponsors.
While individual sponsorship may be limited, mainly due to economics, the support, understanding, encouragement, guidance, and generosity have been unprecedented. Of course, there will be plenty of small gifts for all conference participants from those companies at JALT2002. The greatest support of all? The friendship and assistance of all those who continue to make JALT and our annual conference the best in Asia.
Reported by Mark Zeid, JALT Business Manager
All materials on this site are copyright © by JALT and their respective authors.
For more information on JALT, visit the JALT National Website