​The purpose of SETESOL is to collect and disseminate information about developments in the teaching of English to speakers of other languages among the member affiliates and to stimulate professional development by having an annual regional conference. Representatives from each of the SETESOL affiliates meet twice per year: in the Fall at the SETESOL Conference and in the Spring at the International TESOL Convention.

The SETESOL Conference is the longest-running regional conference within TESOL. This annual conference, which began in the mid-1980s, is overseen by a regional council composed of representatives from each of the TESOL affiliates in the southeastern United States. This regional council meets twice a year: in the fall at the SETESOL conference and in the spring at the International TESOL Convention. SETESOL's annual regional conference rotates each year to a different state as determined by the pre-established calendar shown below. 

TESOL Affiliates Conducting Future SETESOL Conferences