TESOL 2023: Portland, OR

Last month, I had the opportunity to travel to the TESOL International Convention 2023 in Portland, Oregon. I was there for TESOL back in 2014, though I really didn't remember much about the convention center or the city. I remembered that I was on my own that year--no other colleagues from BGSU--and that my two presentations were both well attended. I thought things might look familiar once I arrived, but they didn't really, except for this one outdoor patio at the convention center. This year, I chatted with Mark on the phone here one sunny afternoon:

panorama view from the 2nd floor patio

selfie on the patio, squinting in the sun

It was nice to be with some BGSU folks, Kimberly and Ana. We three shared a hotel room, traveled together, and had a lot of our meals together. It's such a blessing to have colleagues who are also friends. 

Kimberly, Ana, and me, standing
at the TESOL Convention sign

At the conference, my main goal was giving two presentations, both based on my work during FIL last spring. The first was about a weekly vocab learning assignment I've tried with two of my classes this year, and it was incredibly well-attended! I got there about 10 minutes early and was surprised to find half of the seats already full. By the time I started, it was standing room only. I counted the chairs later, and there were 155 or so...which means there were probably at least 175 people there, because every seat was taken, with folks sitting and standing all around the back. It was nice to have my friends in the audience cheering me on (and taking some pics!). And so gratifying to chat with people right afterwards and even in the hallways through the day. 

Kimberly & Ana in the 2nd row when I arrived

me, presenting

with my title slide, taken after the session

talking with someone from the audience

My second session was a modified version of the workshop I gave for my BGSU colleagues last spring, essentially a summary of the key ideas and resources I'd found about vocab teaching and learning during my FIL. This one was a smaller, but still decent crowd, around 40. One of the scholars I cited in my presentation was there, so that was pretty special! (I'd attended his session earlier in the conference and introduced myself afterwards; it was so nice of him to follow up by coming to my session and chatting with me after!). 

me with the title slide

I went to several good sessions, too, including Kimberly's. Another morning, I  joined an informal meet up of folks from another professional association I'm part of (CGC). And I ran into two professors from grad school--we just had short conversations, but it's still nice to keep those connections over time. There's also a few publishers I always stop by in the Expo Hall.

Kimberly presented on her FIL project, too:
curriculum updates in our ITA class

Overall, the conference felt a bit more normal than last year's, with more hustle-and-bustle. I think the number of attendees was still lower than pre-pandemic, but up noticeably from 2022. They've kept a virtual convention going, too, which I can access for a couple more weeks (but haven't yet had time to check out). Two of my colleagues presented in the virtual convention, so I do want to look for their sessions and a few other things. It'll have to wait till I get through my next batch of grading, though. 

selfie with the convention center sign

cool artwork inside the convention center
(hanging from the 2nd floor atrium ceiling)

posing with the "Welcome to Oregon" sign

Kimberly with a statue outside the convention center

part of the convention center's outdoor garden

grading between sessions

Between the weather, time difference, conference schedule, and area of town we were in, we didn't do a whole lot of exploring, but we did see some neat buildings on our walks to and from the convention center and while we were tracking down a few places to eat. I also sought out a tea shop (not quite what I'd hoped for, but did find something to try...forgot to snap a pic) and stopped in a chocolate shop I noticed near the convention center (also forgot to take a pic, but really enjoyed the chocolate!).

mural on a parking garage

fancy bridge over a big freeway

another view of the bridge

colorful building (maybe apartments and businesses?)

this building has interesting dimensions!

this one has potted trees
hanging from the sides!

a view of the Trailblazers (NBA team) stadium
from our hotel room window

There weren't a lot of restaurants super close to the convention center or our hotel, so we had a few meals at the convention center. Unfortunately, these kinds of meals tend to be overpriced and forgettable, but sometimes the convenience outweighs my preference for finding something more affordable and/or interesting! 

Based on some research I'd done before the trip, I wanted to be sure to try a couple of doughnut places, so that was fun. Although Voodoo Doughnuts is more well-known, I was most impressed by the hole-in-the-wall family business Delicious Donuts (I'd go back there in a heartbeat!). 

outside Voodoo Doughnuts

Voodoo Doughnuts case

doughnut stained glass! :-)

recognizable pink voodoo boxes

our selections--shared with Ana & Kimberly
the bottom right mango filled was our favorite

window sign at Delicious Donuts:
"Have a Delicious Day!"

the donut case...I wish it was easier to see the 
really fancy ones on the very top shelf!

my order: bad grandpa (apple fritter with maple
frosting and bacon) & samoa girl scout cookie donut

I couldn't resist going back...I snuck over
after my 2nd presentation for these: 
peanut butter with chocolate frosting &
coconut coated with bavarian cream!

Here are a few other things we ate:

bao buns and noodles

Japanese soup, salad, and onigiri

group pic at the Japanese place, Obon Shokudo

excellent finger food, cheese, and dessert
at the conference closing reception

Kimberly's pic of Ana & me at the reception

Overall, I'm glad I went, though it was really tough to catch up when I got back. Next year's convention is in Tampa. I have a proposal ready to go already, so we'll see if it gets in!