Introduction: In this article, Gena Philibert-Ortega helps family historians get ready for the upcoming RootsTech 2017 genealogy conference. Gena is a genealogist and author of the book “From the Family Kitchen.”
For family historians, 2017 starts on a high note when the largest genealogy conference in North America comes to Salt Lake City, Utah, on February 8-11. Now in its 6th year, RootsTech attracts an estimated 30,000 genealogists of all ages, experience levels, and interests who converge on the Salt Palace in Salt Lake City to hear about the latest innovations, get tips from experts, and network with those who share their passion for family history.
Going to RootsTech? Lucky you! Here are a few tips to help you get the most out of your experience.
Don’t Let It Overwhelm You
The RootsTech website FAQ gives us a sense that this is no ordinary genealogy conference:
RootsTech is a global family history event where people of all ages learn to discover, share and celebrate their family connections across generations through technology. At RootsTech, there is something for everyone, no matter your experience in family history or your skill level in technology. *
One comment I heard repeatedly as I asked genealogy friends about how they felt the first time they attended RootsTech is “overwhelmed.” It makes sense that although they were excited about everything there is to experience, that excitement was tempered by large crowds and the sheer size of the venue, the Salt Palace (515,000 square feet of exhibit space alone).
While you may have pre-planned your schedule to the minute, stuff happens. Maybe your preferred presentation is filled to capacity; after a few laps around the Expo Hall you’re in need of some food and a nap; or you have an opportunity to speak to a new-to-you cousin which will alter your plans. And on top of that, you may want to do more than just listen to presentations or check out the Expo Hall. Will you take advantage of what’s across the street, The Family History Library, or local attractions and restaurants?
So how do you not get overwhelmed? While it’s important to plan what you will do at RootsTech by selecting presentations via the app or website, remember to be flexible and realize that even the best laid plans cannot always be strictly adhered to.
The FamilySearch Blog post A Survival Guide to RootsTech 2017 provides some additional ideas for preparing for your time at RootsTech and your visit to Salt Lake City. ConferenceKeeper.org also has several posts in their RootsTech Survival Guide series, including topics like the “Innovator Showdown,” “What to Expect,” and “Famous Faces.”
Remember that aside from being overwhelmed at the conference, you may have some difficulties acclimating to the dry, cold weather, or the crowds. Ensure that you are wearing comfortable shoes, have plenty of drinking water and lotion on hand, and have a place to take a break when needed.
Try Networking
A genealogist remarked to me that RootsTech is all about networking. Considering the amount of people and service providers in attendance, she is right. Think about your time there as an opportunity to meet those interested in the places or times you’re researching, or who might even share a familial surname. Don’t forget that the Expo Hall gives you the opportunity to talk to vendors and learn more about their products and services.
Make sure to stop by the GenealogyBank booth (#623) to ask questions and get help with your newspaper searches. We’re here to help you, so please take advantage of this opportunity.
So how do you network? I remember long ago attending a genealogy conference where a researcher carried around his family history book, hoping people would look at it and recognize shared surnames on the cover. While that’s one way to attract attention, there is a simpler – and less heavy – way: business cards.
Business cards are not just for work. They are a great way to leave a physical reminder with others of your name, contact information, and the surnames/topics you are researching. Customizable to fit your circumstances, make sure that your cards include some blank, non-glossy surface space for the receiving person to write notes. I even have my photo on my cards so people can easily remember who I am. Business cards can be quickly and cheaply obtained through a local office supply store or even an online printing company.
How important are business cards to networking? One genealogy friend, Lisa-Dawn Crawley, told me:
Keep them in an accessible place so you can whip them out quickly and don’t hesitate to do so! People asked me for my business card in line at the ladies’ washroom!!
Stay a Bit Longer
It seems out of character for genealogists to go to Salt Lake City and not visit The Family History Library – but with the magnitude of a conference like RootsTech, it does happen. It may seem like an easy feat to sneak away from the conference to do some research, but that good idea is one a few hundred if not thousands of your “friends” also have. Do yourself a favor: plan on extending your trip, either prior to the conference or after, so that you can take at least one day to research all of your brick walls.
If you do get a chance to use The Family History Library, make sure to come with a plan. Looking at materials that do not circulate to Family History Centers like books and some microforms, as well as using subscription databases, is one way to focus your time there. The Family History Library also has the new Discovery Center that provides an interactive way to engage in family history that you may want to spend some time exploring.
What if You’re Not Going to RootsTech?
Not going to RootsTech? Not all is lost. Remember to check out the streaming schedule that includes presentations for all four days of the conference. You can find the schedule on the RootsTech website.
Lastly, don’t forget to use social media channels to follow comments and experiences of those at the conference. On Twitter, follow RootsTech via their account (@RootsTech) and the hashtag #RootsTech. You can follow RootsTech on Facebook @RootsTech.
GenealogyBank will also be providing updates on its social media channels throughout the conference. We’re looking forward to meeting you at RootsTech!
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* “What is RootsTech?” RootsTech (https://www.rootstech.org/frequently-asked-questions: accessed 31 January 2017).