RootsTech – Day 3 All Good Things Come to An End

Posted on 19 February 2015 | 1 comment

Saturday was the last day of the RootsTech, which was Day 3 for many (and Day 4 if you had attended FGS as well) – either way, the days of talks and walking the Expo Hall (or in my exhibiting), followed by social events in the evening were starting to catch up with everyone.

However Saturday was always billed as being the “biggest day”, with an estimated 20,000 people attending on that day alone. I don’t know the figures, but it was busier, primarily as it was ‘Family Day’. There were many families with their young kids there. An attraction for them no doubt was Studio C, who I will admit I’ve never heard of (they haven’t made it big internationally yet), but this sketch comedy group have a show on BYUtv, and they also have a huge following on YouTube. And when they performed, which fortunately wasn’t in the Expo Hall I was told that the security personnel were kept very busy with screaming fans. I know their stand in the Expo Hall seemed busy all the time, not to mention the cardboard cutouts of the actors which people could get photos with – they were a big attraction.

the Studio C stand at RootsTech 2015

the crowds around their stand

Anyway I had a few people wander through the Expo Hall and ask me if we’d just set up as they hadn’t seen our stand before. I had to assure them we’d been there the whole time, but had missed us in their earlier walk throughs. But that gives you an indication of just how much there was to see.

I had to take a quick break from the stand as the geneablogger group were trying to organise a group photo – but with talks finishing late, and organised lunches going on, and not everyone checking social media (surprisingly) – only some made it there. But still it’s a great photo. So I’d like to say a big thankyou to the organisers and the photographers (there were a number).

Back L-R: Russ Worthington (Cousin Russ), Fran Kitto, I didn't catch this lady's name, Randy Seaver, Thomas MacEntee, Front L-R: Jill Ball, Caitlin Gow, Alona Tester and AJ Jacobs

Back L-R: Russ Worthington (Cousin Russ), Fran Kitto, I didn’t catch this lady’s name, Randy Seaver, Thomas MacEntee, Cheryl Hudson Passey, Roger Moffat and Pauleen Cass
Front L-R: Sharn White, Hilary Gadsby, Jill Ball, Pat Richley-Erickson (Dear Myrt), Caitlin Gow, Alona Tester and AJ Jacobs
[used with permission from Pat Richley-Erickson]

Now while I’m on the topic of group photos I realise that forgot to make mention in my Day 2 post about our “Aussies as RootsTech” photo. This year marks the biggest contingent of Aussies heading north to go to RootsTech … there were a total of 15 of us. Not many amongst the tens of thousands, but still everyone loved us. And it seemed worthy of a photo op, so we put the word out, and managed to get 9 people turn up in time for our photo.

9 of the 15 Aussies at RootsTech 2015
L-R: Jill Ball, Frank Constable, Alona Tester, Pauleen Cass, Heather Garnsey, Caitlin Gow, Martyn Killion, Jenny Joyce and Alan Philips

Now back to Day 3 again … we didn’t have any bands, costumes or karaoke. I think it would have been hard to top hesterdays entertainment. Also there were prize draws going on at the end of the day which kept many people’s attention. Well, those who weren’t in talks anyway.

obviously the AncestryDNA kits proved popular

4.00pm arrived with an announcement saying that the Expo Hall was now “”closed”, which saw swarms of people leave. And within about 10 minutes exhibitors had started dismantling their stands, and carpet that covered the entire expo floor was was being pulled up. It was quite astonishing just how quick it all happened – and I’ve been to many events.