If you’re planning to attend RootsTech 2017, the giant conference where genealogy meets technology, now’s the time to register. Until Friday, you can get the early-bird discount of $159 for the four-day conference registration. It’s being held February 8-11, 2017 in Salt Lake City. To me, $159 is a huge bargain (but then again, I routinely pay $600 or $700 to register for conferences for professional organizers).

Here’s the link to register. Before you register, you can browse the class selection and see which of the over 200 breakout sessions appeal to you. The keynote speakers haven’t been announced yet, but in the years I’ve attended there have been some big names, like Laura Bush, Ree Drummond and Donny Osmond.  The expo hall is huge.

This will be my third year attending RootsTech. I missed last year and I’m anxious to go back. I go to a good number of genealogy conferences, both large and small. RootsTech is special to me for a few reasons:

• The huge number of genealogy enthusiasts who attend (there have been more than 10,000 attending the years I’ve gone)
• The vast selection of excellent learning opportunities, between the keynotes and the breakout sessions
• The fact that it’s helpful to beginners and advanced genealogists alike
• The access to all the latest genealogy products at the expo hall
• There’s musical entertainment (this year it’s the Mormon Tabernacle Choir singing music of Rogers and Hammerstein)
• How well organized it is (amazingly well organized)

I’m particularly excited this year because I’m co-presenting one of the sessions (Go Paperless: Digitize and Streamline Your Research). So if you’re attending, please let me know. I’d love to meet you and even see your friendly face in the audience!

The registration prices goes up to $189 on Friday, October 14. (I’m not clear what time that happens, but to be safe, I’d suggest registering today or tomorrow.)

I’m both delighted and nervous to announce that my speaker proposal to co-present at RootsTech 2017 was accepted!

I will be presenting with the amazing Brooks Duncan of DocumentSnap. Our talk is titled “Go Paperless: Streamline and Digitize Your Research.” Brooks is the guru of all things paperless–he has amazing knowledge about the process of scanning and digitizing. I’m bringing my organizing and genealogy know-how to the table.

Brooks is a terrific speaker (and knows how to create a great PowerPoint) and I’m  confident we’ll create a fun and informative presentation. I’m really looking foward to it.

RootsTech will be held February 8 to 17 in Salt Lake City. This will be my third year attending and my first presenting. Registration is now open! Until October 14, you can register for the full conference for $159, a $100 savings over the regular price. (The price goes up to $189 on October 14.)

Are you attending? Speaking? Leave a comment here or shoot me an email and let’s meet up!