RootsTech Connect goes live next week! I hope y'all are as excited as I am! In this post, we'll look at what will make this conference unique and how you can connect at RootsTech Connect.
RootsTech is the largest genealogy conference there is. And this year, it'll be FREE and accessible wherever you live! It's a three-day event from 25–27 February 2021 with both live content as well as access to content all year long. Think of this year's event as the kickoff for a year's worth of amazing online content.
How it all works
Main stage events have a schedule - which you can view here - but if you miss any of the keynote sessions, they all have other times that they'll play as reruns. The Expo Hall will be your chance to view all of the great innovation in the tech and family history field. Also, you can live chat with exhibitors from their booth and watch demos. The sessions are the meat of the conference so we'll talk more about those below. Connect is your chance to connect with others - both speakers and your long-lost family!
If you register - and use your free FamilySearch login - you'll be able to create a playlist for all the sessions you'd like to watch. Think of this as your Netflix or Prime watch list. As you create your list, RootsTech Connect will give you suggestions for other sessions you might want to attend based on your added content. Isn't that amazing, y'all!?
A global event
This year, RootsTech Connect will be a truly global event. Keynote speakers will be from around the globe, sessions will be in multiple languages, and there will be localized content for participants.
RootsTech Connect by the numbers (as of 16 February):
- 314,908 registered (so far)
- 224 countries and territories represented
- 89% of registrants have never been to RootsTech before
- 11 languages represented in sessions
- 18 languages represented in the ExpoHall
RootsTech connections
Not only is RootsTech going to bring people together from around the world, but there are many ways to connect with family history.
- 72 exhibitors in ExpoHall
- 746 classes: Click here to see the full list
- 280 tips and tricks
- Chat rooms and direct message with cousins
There is a lot to do at this year's conference, so click here to learn what organizers want you to know. And if you'd like to learn more about Jen Allen - the woman behind the RootsTech magic - you can read about her here.
How to participate
When you register for RootsTech, you're essentially sending your RSVP for the conference. This way, the conference knows to expect you. Anyone can view the sessions and content, but only registrants can take full advantage of the RootsTech Connect experience.
If you're using your FamilySearch account, you'll also be able to Find your relatives at RootsTech Connect! So far, I have 300 cousins going to RootsTech! But I'll have to wait until the conference starts on February 25 to connect with them. So far, of those who have registered, there will be 991 Williamses at RootsTech Connect: 824 from the United States, 67 from the United Kingdom, and 34 from Australia. That's a lot of people! How many people attending have your surname?
When you can get started
Since this is such a global event, the timing might be confusing for some. But don't fret! You have three days to connect with family and other participants, but you get to enjoy the content all year! You can begin to add content to your playlist at 11pm EST on Wednesday February 24. The new RootsTech website will also go live Wednesday morning so you can get acclimated to how it'll look. The ExpoHall will have a preview at 7pm EST - four hours before the livestream starts at 11pm EST.
Don't forget to register today for RootsTech Connect and share what you're learning on social media with #RootsTechConnect wherever you connect with your family and friends!
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I'm just a LITTLE bit excited about RootsTech Connect this year, y'all! I hope you'll join me in what is sure to be an amazing experience. I look forward to learning, connecting, and sharing with all of you.
This conference has a vision to become a globalized learning library. Be part of genealogy history and connect at RootsTech Connect!
Your ancestors deserve the best researcher, the most passionate story-teller, and the dignity of being remembered. So let's encounter your ancestors through family history and remember the past made present today!
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