I leave really early tomorrow morning to fly to Salt Lake City for RootsTech. I’m really excited, though my to-do list for today is huge. This is my second year going to RootsTech; I wrote a similar post last year, which I just re-read. Last year I was feeling overwhelmed at the thought of such a large conference (according to this press release, there were 13,000 in attendance last year).
Turns out, this conference is so well organized that the large number of folks wasn’t a big issue. There are an expected 20,000 people going this year, since it’s being held in conjunction with the Federation of Genealogical Societies (FGS) conference.
I bought a pass that allows me to attend FGS sessions as well. So this year I’m feeling overwhelmed not by the number of people, but by the sheer number of choices of classes each day. Thanks to the marvelous RootsTech app, I’ve gone through and selected the classes I think I want to take, but I’m leaving myself open to changing my mind.
Today, I’m focusing on deciding what I want to research at the Family History Library, the largest genealogy library in the world, and what I might need to take along to facilitate that research. I also want to pack light, because I’m going from Salt Lake to Washington state to visit family and I’d really like to do it all in a carry-on. (I by necessity packed light for my last trip to see family and it was worth the effort.) I’m hoping that my focus on keeping my genealogy files organized electronically will work to my benefit so that I don’t have to bring a lot of paper to support my research.
Last year I was feeling shy. This year I have true friend, a reader of this blog, whom I met at last year’s conference. Can’t wait to see her! I look forward to making more friends–I’m going to do my best to speak first and meet interesting people. (I want to give away my new business card!)
Can’t wait to see what I learn. I’ll be posting here about the conference, so if you’re interested, please keep an eye out.
If you’re going to RootsTech and want to meet up, let me know!
Have a wonderful time Janine!
Thanks, Vickie! Just yesterday I was thinking about how fun it was to meet you at the Southern Illinois conference last summer. I hope to see you this year as well!
Can’t wait to see you too, my friend!
Travel safely, Lori!
I am jealous that you have such lovely access to conferences like this, over here in the UK we have access to one showcase of Family History products per year, but my one aim for the next few years is to attend a big conference like RootsTech.
I hope you can come to RootsTech one year. It’s really quite an experience and a great learning opportunity. I trust you’ll tell me if you’re planning to go so we can meet up, right Marion?
Of course I would share with the world that I am going and post on your lovely blog that I am planning on going as I would love to meet yourself and another few people who I have ‘talked’ to online, but never in person
I hope you have a wonderful time!
Thank you, Barbara!