You have your registration confirmation—now what? RootsTech is the largest genealogy conference in the world and the perfect place to learn tips and tricks to help you make your family tree.
Here are 10 tips to help you make the most of your RootsTech 2015 experience:
- Plan where to park ahead of time. There are several parking plazas located near the Salt Palace in downtown Salt Lake City. Some charge as little as $3.00 per day. The Salt Palace itself also has parking available for $2.00 per hour or $12.00 per day. You may also park outside the fee-based parking area downtown and use public transportation to get to the Salt Palace. TRAX stops in front of the Salt Palace on South Temple Street and West Temple Street. For UTA TRAX information, click here.
- Bring your chargers and portable chargers. Wouldn’t it really stink if your device ran out of juice while taking notes during Laura Bush’s talk? Save yourself the stress and hassle of finding an outlet by bringing a portable charger. It’s also a good idea to make sure your devices are fully charged at the start each day.
- Select and organize your classes beforehand, and be prepared with second and third choices for each slot. Classes are filled on a first come, first served basis, and some popular classes fill up quickly. We recommend mapping out your RootsTech plan beforehand so you don’t waste precious time trying to figure out which class you want to attend.We also recommend selecting second and third choices in case your first choice ends up being full when you get there.
- Wear comfortable shoes and layers. Since RootsTech is so big, expect to spend quite a bit of time on your feet, particularly in the exhibition hall. Be prepared with layers and a light jacket so you can be comfortable all day.
- The allotted lunch hour is from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.The Salt Palace offers several delicious dining options, but sometimes lines are long during the lunch rush. We recommend having a lunch plan so you don’t miss any classes you want to see.
- Take some time to see the sights.If you are coming from out of town for the conference, we recommend taking some extra time to enjoy Salt Lake City. To see a full list of attractions, click here.
- Visit the Family History Library. While you are visiting the largest genealogy conference in the world, why not visit the largest family history library in the world? And if you want tips on what to do while you are there, we recommend following this link.
- Come with specific questions, and write them down.Whether you are a seasoned professional or a brand-new enthusiast, you can enhance and personalize your RootsTech 2015 experience by writing down your family history questions before the conference. Doing that will help you come away from RootsTech with the skills and knowledge to solve your family history challenges.
- Document your experience.Take notes, take pictures, and record your time at RootsTech. You’ll want to remember the conference, and will learn many things to take home to share with your family and friends. Be a good family historian by documenting your experience and citing your sources.
- Connect with others and share your experiences.Make sure your Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram accounts are ready so that you can document and share your RootsTech experiences.When you post to social networks during the conference, add the hashtag #RootsTech to connect with speakers and other conference attendees. That way you’ll be able to see the trending conversations and expand your personal network. Since this is the largest genealogy conference in the world, you’re bound to meet other like-mind family historians.
If you’re a returning RootsTech attendee, what other tips would you share?
