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Tuesday, January 29, 2019

The Dance Card is Filling Up.

In just three weeks Mr GeniAus and I are setting off to the US for a bit of R&R in Seattle followed by the frenzy that is Rootstech in Salt Lake City.

I am keen to explore Seattle, a city we haven't previously visited, but am super excited for Rootstech. In the 8 years I have been a Rootstech Official Blogger and Ambassador I have been privileged to meet an interesting and motivated mob of family historians and I have managed to interview a few celebrities and ordinary folk like me.

This year we only have seven nights in Salt Lake City and my Dance Card is filling up.

Ready for Rootstech
My Rootstech week kicks off with DearMYRTLE's Mondays with Myrt webinar broadcast from the Family History Library. This program goes live most weeks at a time when I am tucked up in my bed in Australia so I relish the opportunity to pop in on DearMYRTLE and have a chat.

I haven't planned a Commonwealth Dinner (link to 2018 invitation) yet - but if there are no Ambassador obligations or clashes may organise one for the Monday evening. I think that Sharn White and I may be the only Ambassadors attending from Australia this year - I wonder if any other Aussies are making the pilgrimage.

On Tuesday there are two Ambassador events. The Media Dinner in the Salt Palace sets the scene for the whole conference and gives us another opportunity to meet Presenters, Sponsors, Ambassadors and Familysearch staff prior to the Big Event.

I have an early start on Wednesday with a breakfast invitation for 7:00am with the folk from Ancestry and then the first session of the conference is at the respectable hour of 9:30. I'll probably go to all the sessions this day as the Media Hub where I hang out doesn't open until Thursday. There is an Expo Hall Preview from 6:00 - 8:00pm.

On my radar for Thursday will be people to interview. I hope to gather at least another dozen or so  video clips for my YouTube Channel. I may need an early night after all my activity and I will want to catch up with Mr GeniAus.

Friday brings another hosted breakfast thanks to sponsors, MyHeritage. I will definitely not miss the keynote from Australian, Saroo Brierley Since seeing the movie (Lion) and reading the book (A long way home)  about his search for his birth family I have been impressed by the tenacity and drive of this young man. I hope that I get an opportunity to interview this fellow Australian in the media hub.

There are no dates in my calendar for Saturday so I will continue with interviews, chat with genimates and attend a few session on DNA. I am hoping to get together with old friends on Saturday evening. Several of my co-presenters at The Genealogy Show in Birmingham will be at Rootstech, I do hope we can manage to get together. 

Rootstech  always comes up with some surprises. I love hearing speakers who are new to me and the keynotes selected are usually motivating, interesting or entertaining.

I hope to fit in a bit of shopping during my time in Salt Lake City (I love US bargains)  but I'm not sure how I'll achieve it with such a busy Dance Card.



3 comments:

  1. Busy, busy, busy. Sadly I'm not going, but I look forward to hearing about it and seeing it all from a distance this year.

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  2. You made me sad seeing I chose not to go this year. Reading through the list of events you have already booked i just know you will have a great time. No queues for talks like last year will be a bonus. Looks like a Alona and I will be using #NotRootsTech. At least I can look forward to RootsTech London and our local Waves in a Time Conference. Although will miss Birmingham with it being so close to WiT.

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  3. You will both be missed. I hope to see you at Rootstech London Fran.

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