19th International Conference

Individuals are invited to submit their latest research for possible placement in a volunteer session. Abstracts will be blind reviewed by a screening committee and decision emails will be sent in mid-November. All paper presenters will be expected to provide comments on the other papers in their session to ensure that everyone receives constructive feedback on their research. 

STEP 1 | REGISTER TO ATTEND
Payment of combined registration and paper submission fee is required before you can submit your abstract details for review.

• Professionals:
  Members $340 ($290 registration + $50 paper submission)
  Non-members $460 ($360 registration + $100 submission)
• Full-time Students / Post Docs:
  Members $185 ($135 registration + $50 paper submission)
  Non-members $270 ($170 registration + $100 paper submission)

Note that registration portion of fee is fully refundable if paper is NOT accepted. 

Hint: Join or renew your WEAI membership now and save -- plus you'll be entitled to a journal submission fee waiver for your conference paper if submitted to EI or CEP within six months after the conference. It's a win-win! 

STEP 2 | SUBMIT YOUR ABSTRACT
There is sometimes a 30-minute delay between when registration is received and the abstract submission portal becomes accessible. Please be patient!

Information needed for abstract review committee:

• Paper presenter's name, professional affiliation, title, and e-mail address; same information for coauthors.
• Paper title and paper topic area (three appropriate codes from the JEL Classification System).
• Abstract of 350 words or less including a statement of the research or policy question and the contribution made by the paper; as well as method(s), model(s) and, if applicable, relevant data including time frame and geographical scope.

Only research at the graduate level and above will be considered for volunteer sessions. Alternatively, undergraduates are welcome to coordinate with an advisor to organize a session featuring undergrad research papers.

Upload of your complete paper is requested by April 1 for circulation to your fellow session participants. Just before the conference, presenters will be invited to upload presentation slides for sharing on the conference platform.

Discounts: WEAI Institutional Member affiliates are eligible for a 20% discount on conference fees. For the code to take the discount at checkout, ask your designated representative or contact us at 1-714-965-8800 or submissions@weai.org.

Questions? Contact submissions@weai.org. 
   

Discuss a Paper or Chair a Session | Deadline December 1

Discuss a paper and give others the benefits of your expertise. Discussants are needed in all topic areas. Chair a session and foster the exchange of ideas. If you are interested in serving as a discussant or chair, but are not presenting a volunteer paper, please email sessions@weai.org.

Organize your own session and take charge of all the details! Sessions in all areas of economics and finance are welcome. Paper submission fees are waived for all papers in organized sessions, however participants are required to register for the conference. WEAI members affiliated with a WEAI Institutional Member, and who organize a session, receive complimentary conference registration. 

Organized sessions must include papers from various institutions. No more than 50% of the papers may be from the same institution. Each participant may author (or co-author) no more than two papers in the session. Proposals for workshops or round tables should also include individuals from multiple institutions. Sessions are subject to review by a screening committee. 

Please notify us of your intent to organize a session as soon as possible so we can save a space for you. Email sessions@weai.org.

Overall Responsibility

As the organizer, you have the following responsibilities:

• Maintain liaison between your participants and WEAI.
• Ensure that your session participants are well prepared and registered for the conference. 
• Make sure your session participants upload completed papers by April 1.
• Keep the WEAI informed of changes to your session.

Typical Session Format

The session time allocation is one hour and 45 minutes. A typical session includes a chairperson, three to four papers, and discussants (paper presenters may serve as discussants on each others' papers). Organizers decide if discussants are assigned to specific papers or if comments will be part of the general group discussion. Other formats, such as panels or round tables, may also be used. 

Information Needed

After receiving commitments from session participants, send the following information to WEAI:

• Session title.
• Applicable JEL topic area codes.
• Professional affiliations and e-mail addresses for all participants (including coauthors). Please indicate paper presenter with an asterisk (*).
• Paper titles (if applicable).

A fill-in session template is available below, or if you have a format used for previous WEAI conferences, that is also acceptable as long as the information outlined above is included.

Please submit your session details early. Submit revised information with revisions clearly marked. All session communication is done via email to sessions@weai.org.

Session Template

Once Your Session is Accepted

To take advantage of the early registration fees and to be included in the first posting of the program, invite your session participants to register for the conference and submit their abstracts before January 1. Papers will be added to your session as they are received into the conference system. We've instituted this process in an effort to avoid last minute withdrawals causing gaps in your sessions.

Conference Format

The format is intended to promote active involvement by all attendees — most of the economists attending will be on the program. In addition to the keynote sessions, the program consists of small discussion groups meeting concurrently. Including program participants, session attendance may range from 3 to 30, depending on the time of day and the topic’s popularity, etc. However, the most fruitful discussions often occur among small groups of interested individuals. Your session can benefit by inviting experts besides those on the program to attend.

Registration Fees

All attendees are expected to pay the conference registration fee. Papers will only be released to be added to your organized session after the primary presenter is registered to attend. Please inform prospective participants that they are responsible for their own expenses.

Session organizers receive complimentary conference registration if (i) they are a current WEAI member, (ii) they are affiliated with a current Institutional Member, (iii) they organize a session in which at least three participants pay the usual registration fee, and (iv) everyone in the session registers by the deadline.

Dates to Remember

• December 1: Session information is due to WEAI.
• January 1: Deadline for program participants to register and submit abstracts in order to be included in first program draft.
• February 15: Deadline to take advantage of early registration discount (fees go up February 16). 
• March 1: Last chance for program changes to be included in printed program.
• April 1: Verify that complete papers have been uploaded by presenters and session participants have access.

Waiver of Journal Manuscript Submission Fees

WEAI members can submit their conference papers to either Economic Inquiry or Contemporary Economic Policy without paying the usual manuscript submission fee provided the manuscripts reach the editors within six months after the conference.

Conference Format

In addition to the keynote sessions, the program consists of small discussion groups meeting concurrently. Including program participants, session attendance may range from 3 to 30, depending on the time of day and the topic’s popularity, etc. However, the most fruitful discussions often occur among small groups of interested individuals. Most of the economists attending will be on the program, so the format is intended to promote active involvement by all attendees. 

All days/times are listed in KST (Korea Standard Time) UTC/GMT +9 hours . There is no hybrid option for concurrent sessions.

Tentative Schedule (preliminary and subject to change)

Thursday, April 22
11:00 am–6:30 pm  On-site Registration
12:30-1:00 pm Welcome and Opening Remarks
1:00–2:30 pm  Keynote Address
2:45–4:30 pm  Concurrent Sessions
4:45–6:30 pm  Concurrent Sessions
6:45–8:00 pm  Welcome Reception

Friday, April 23
8:00 am–6:30 pm -- On-site Registration 
8:30–10:15 am -- Concurrent Sessions
10:30 am–12:00 n -- Keynote Address
12:00 n–12:45 pm -- Lunch
12:45–2:30 pm -- Concurrent Sessions
2:45–4:30 pm -- Concurrent Sessions
4:45–6:30 pm -- Concurrent Sessions
6:45–10:00 pm -- Participants Dinner (advance ticket purchase required)

Saturday, April 24
8:00 am–6:30 pm -- On-site Registration 
8:30–10:15 am -- Concurrent Sessions
10:30 am–12:00 n -- Keynote Address
12:00 n–12:45 pm -- Lunch
12:45–2:30 pm -- Concurrent Sessions
2:45–4:30 pm -- Concurrent Sessions
4:45–6:30 pm -- Concurrent Sessions

Sunday, April 25
8:00 am–12:00 pm -- On-site Registration 
8:30–10:15 am -- Concurrent Sessions
10:30 am–12:00 n -- Keynote Roundtable Discussion
12:45–TBD pm -- Post-conference tour/activity (advance ticket purchase required)

Conference Close

Registration 

Early bird rates apply through February 15, so register early and save!

• Professionals:
  Members $290 / Non-members $360
  After February 15 -- Members $340 / Non-members $410
• Full-time Students / Post Docs:
  Members $135 / Non-members $170
  After February 15 -- Members $160 / Non-members $195

Hint: Non-members join or renew your WEAI membership now and save -- plus you'll be entitled to a journal submission fee waiver for your conference paper if submitted to EI or CEP within six months after the conference. It's a win-win!

Non-economist guests: Registered attendees are welcome to bring a non-economist guest (over 18 years old), registration is $100. Guest registration will open January 1 and is only valid for NON-ECONOMISTS NOT ON THE PROGRAM. Registered guests will be audited regularly and automatically canceled if found to include coauthors and/or professional economists. Questions? registration@weai.org .

Discounts: WEAI Institutional Member affiliates are eligible for a 20% discount on registration fees. For the code to take the discount at checkout, see your designated representative or contact us at 1-714-965-8800 or registration@weai.org.

Benefits: 1) Conference program. 2) Admittance to all general and concurrent sessions; lunches; coffee breaks; and Welcome Reception. 3) Waiver of manuscript submission fees for current WEAI members submitting their conference paper to Economic Inquiry or Contemporary Economic Policy by October 31, 2027.

Policies: Program participants must register to remain on the conference program. Everyone over the age of 18 must register, including spouses and adult guests. Badges are required at all conference events, including sessions, coffee breaks, receptions, and special activities. 
   

Special Activities

• Welcome Reception | Thursday, April 22, 6:45 to 8:00 p.m.
  Take time to relax, renew old acquaintances, and make new friends at the Welcome Reception (details to be announced). 
• Participants Dinner | Friday, April 23, 6:45 to 10:00 p.m.
  Details to be announced.
• Pre- or Post-conference Adventure 
  Details to be announced.
     

General Ticket Information

• Children (of all ages) must have a ticket for all special activities.
• Any special activity ticket(s) will be included in the registration packet you will receive on-site.
• Space is limited for special activities.
• Please purchase or reserve all special activity tickets by March 1.
• Cancellations for special activities must be made in writing by March 1 to receive a refund. We are unable to give refunds for late cancellations.

Cancellation & Refund Policies

• Cancellations must be received in writing. Please e-mail registration@weai.org.
• Program participants must advise the participants in their session(s) of their cancellation.
• Refunds for program participants:
  Volunteer abstract submission fees are non-refundable upon accept/reject decision. If a volunteer paper abstract is not accepted for the program, the full registration portion of the combined fee is refundable. For cancellation by a participant on or before February 1, fifty percent (50%) of registration fee is refundable. After February 1, the registration fee is non-refundable due to the high administrative cost of rearranging the affected sessions and participants.
• Refunds for all others, not on the program:
  On or before March 1, the full registration fee is refundable, less $50 handling fee. After March 1, the registration fee is non-refundable.
• Membership dues are non-refundable.
• Refunds will be processed after the conference and are subject to a $50 handling fee.   

There are several options for housing near the Sogang University campus ranging from low-priced guest houses, to high-end hotels. The following are offered as options to consider:

Conference Hotels (with discount rate)

Lotte City Hotel Mapo (3-star hotel)
109, Mapo-daero, Mapo-gu, Seoul

• 5–10 minutes to Sogang University
• Connected to Gongdeok Station, Line 6 (one stop to Daeheung Station), followed by 3-minute walk to the south gate of Sogang University
• A 15% discount off the best available rate (BAR) will be offered to conference participants. A dedicated reservation link will be provided in November.

Shilla Stay Mapo (4-star hotel)
83, Mapo-daero, Mapo-gu, Seoul 

• 10–15 minutes to Sogang University
• 4-minute walk to Gongdeok Station, Line 6 (one stop to Daeheung Station), followed by 3-minute walk to the south gate of Sogang University
• A fixed discount rate will be offered to conference participants. A dedicated reservation link will be provided shortly.

Other Nearby Hotels Information (without discount rate)

Hotel Naru Seoul (5-star hotel)
8, Mapo-daero, Mapogu, Seoul

• 15–20 minutes to Sogang University
• 5–7-minute walk to Mapo Station, Line 5 (one stop), transfer to Line 6 (one stop), followed by a 3-minute walk to the south gate of Sogang University

Roynet Hotel Seoul Mapo (4-star hotel)
67, Mapo-daero, Mapo-gu, Seoul

• Approximately 15 minutes to Sogang University
• A short walk to Mapo Station, Line 5 (one stop), transfer to Line 6 (one stop), followed by 3-minute walk to the south gate of Sogang University

The street on which each of the above hotels is located, Mapo-daero, is a major, bustling boulevard in the heart of Mapo District (Mapo-gu) where Sogang is located. It runs south from the historic city center towards the Han River and is packed with convenient amenities, accommodations, and transit links:

• Transit: The area provides fast, seamless access to the rest of Seoul via major hubs like Gongdeok and Mapo stations, which connect directly to the Airport Railroad Express (AREX) and multiple subway lines.
• Local Vibe: Mapo-gu itself is famous for its vibrant nightlife, indie culture, and youthful energy, particularly in neighborhoods like Hongdae and Sinchon.