Monday, February 19, 2024

Countdown to RootsTech


RootsTech2024 is just on the horizon. This year's theme is Remember, which is very appropriate for family history. Three more keynote speakers have been announced, adding to Lynne Jackson, who has already been announced.




The first is Henry Cho, an American-born Korean comedian. Cho is notable for being one of the only Asian-American acts to appear regularly on the Grand Ole Opry and, on January 6, 2023, became the first Asian-American invited to become a member of the Opry.



The second is photographer Nancy Borowick.  She uses her photos to tell stories of health, struggle and personal relationships and to explore the lives of her subjects. Her photos have been featured in many high-profile publications, like Time Magazine and National Geographic, to name just two.


The final keynote is Kristin Chenoweth, actress and singer, who has appeared in many stage, TV and movie productions, including The West Wing.

As always, the keynote speakers can be watched in person at the Salt Palace Convention Center, or online via the RootsTech.org website, and even when I am not familiar with them, I have found the keynotes riveting.

For those unable to attend RootsTech in Salt Lake City, there will be an online version of the conference. It’s free to sign up for this, and will give you access to many of the presentations, as well as a Virtual Expo Hall.

What about the chance to connect with unknown relatives who might have information about or photos of your family. “Relatives at RootsTech” is available for everyone for free. You do need to have entered at least some of your family tree on the FamilySearch website, but that is free too. I have 716 relatives who have registered for RootsTech (online or in person), but many people have thousands.

Those who are lucky enough to attend in person will have access to many presentations which are not being live-streamed (some of them are), and to the Expo Hall. This year the Expo Hall will be open on Thursday night 6.00-7.30 for Night at the Expo Hall, a masquerade themed event which gives attendees a chance to visit the exhibitors without the conflict of whether to attend a talk, or to visit the Expo Hall.

I hope you are able to attend RootsTech 2024, one way or the other.

 


DISCLOSURE: I am a RootsTech 2024 conference Media Rep and in return for my promotion of the conference I receive a free entry pass and some additional non-monetary perks. My transportation and accommodation are not compensated.