Are you getting ready for RootsTech?
Each year tens of thousands of family history fans descend on the Salt Palace Convention Center in Salt Lake City, Utah, for the world’s largest family history conference. Hosted annually by the Family History Department (aka FamilySearch), RootsTech has become the premiere family history event for both the general public and members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. RootsTech 2018 is scheduled for February 28–March 3, 2018.
Many of those that attend RootsTech, either in person or via streaming video, are temple and family history consultants or others with family history callings. Any who have participated in the past have discovered that it’s one of the best opportunities to receive meaningful training and inspiration for their calling.
Since registration for the event recently opened, now is a good time to consider how you might participate this year.
Attending in Person
If you attend in person, you will be amazed at what you see. RootsTech is huge and offers enough learning opportunities to benefit family historians at any level of experience. The conference features, among other things:
- 200+ breakout sessions
- A large Expo Hall with family history products and services
- Daily inspirational keynote sessions
- Entertaining evening events
There are classes on DNA research, what’s new (and coming soon) on FamilySearch.org, updates on the latest family history sites and apps, and many other topics. Perhaps most beneficial for someone with a family history calling are the consultant-specific classes that provide tips and best practices for preparing spiritual, one-on-one family history experiences.
Individuals with a family history calling are eligible to attend at a discounted rate. Anyone with a family history calling can purchase a full, four-day RootsTech 2018 conference pass for $129—just use the promotional code 18CALLING during registration.
Visit RootsTech.org for more information or to register.
Can’t Attend?
If you are unable to make it to Salt Lake City to attend the conference in person, you can still participate. In fact, many of the sights, sounds, and learnings from the conference will be streamed live online at rootstech.org. Each day of the conference, RootsTech will live-stream a select number of sessions. These sessions will cover topics such as how to find and use pension files, how to uncover hidden truths in old family photos, and how to use the many features available on FamilySearch.
A full streaming schedule of events will be available in February 2018.
Watch Family Discovery Day on LDS.org
As part of RootsTech, the Family History Department also hosts Family Discovery Day, a 1-day event to inspire you to discover, celebrate, and cherish your family relationships. Family Discovery Day features inspiring devotionals from General Authorities as well as breakout sessions taught by popular LDS speakers. Family Discovery Day begins on March 3, 2018 at 1:00 p.m. and will be streamed live on the LDS.org homepage.
Learn more about Family Discovery Day.
So, that’s the latest on RootsTech 2018. Save the date—February 28–March 3, 2018—so you can make the most of RootsTech and gain new experience and knowledge to help you succeed in your calling.
