FGS and RootsTech: The Excitement Begins!
It’s hard to believe but it is now less that a month until the genealogy-world heads to Salt Lake City for RootsTech, with the added bonus of the Federation of Genealogical Studies (FGS) Conference this year. That’s 4 days of FGS Conference, and 3 whole days RootsTech. WOOHOO!
And to say that it’ll be exciting is a total understatement.
I will admit that with the craziness of pre-Christmas, Christmas, New Year, bushfires, and playing catchup at work, I haven’t had a lot of time to thing about it recently … but it is now that it gets really exciting. Geneabloggers galore start writing about getting prepared, and what to take etc. Others write or tweet about various talks they’re going to, and speakers they want to see, and others are arranging catchup outside of the Conference time – and so on!
So yes it is EXCITING!! And I can’t wait.
I went to my first RootsTech Conference back in 2013, and made so many wonderful friends from around the globe, that I can’t wait to catchup with them again, as well as meeting so many more.
Some of those there might remember how myself and Helen Smith (my roommate from Queensland) got hyper-excited to actually see snow falling for the first time in our lives. And I bet with the winter temperatures in Salt Lake City, we’ll see some again (which I must say is an added bonus).
But while I sit hibernating from the heat on a sweltering day summer’s day, with the airconditioner going, it’s really, really, REALLY hard to think of warm woolly clothes. Anything more than a tanktop and shorts is too hot. But packing clothes comes later.
At the moment I’m also trying to put my mind into getting what I can organised now … things like …
My genealogy business cards
A must for being able to hand out to fellow geniemates.
Travel adaptors
Well it kind of goes without saying, if you need power, you’ll need something that will accept your plug. And US powerpoints don’t like Australian plugs. So adaptors are needed.
Autograph book
Of course I’ll be bringing my Autograph book with me again. I did get to meet and get autographs from many back in 2013, but there’s so many more people to meet in 2015!!
My research
As I’ll be spending a few days extra, I’ll be utilising the FHL while I’m there, so need to sort out what research I want to work on.
Notebooks
I will take a notebook or two with me just in case I do actually get to some talks, there 100s to choose from afterall. However I expect that I’ll be spending most of my time in the Exhibitors Hall again.
US Customs and Border Protection (ESTA) application
This one is important, and one I found out only just before leaving for RootsTech in 2013. But apparently anyone wanting to enter the US from another country NEEDS to fill in an application on the ESTA website (look the APPLY button in the blue box), pay US$14.00 and they’ll give you a number which will then allow you to enter the country. Anyway not know how long the ESTA application/payment is good for, I checked out their website, and found out that it two years, so I’m still good (just), but it did allow me to update some details, like the hotel I’m staying in this year.
Aussie souvenirs
This seems to have become a little bit of a tradition, in that the Aussies (well some anyway) bring along Australian souvenirs for our overseas friends. I’ll be stocking up, so be sure to come and say hi and grab something Australian from me at the Unlock the Past Cruises stand where I’ll be at least half of the time.
That’s all that’s coming to mind at this moment. And no doubt I’ll think of more things in the next day or two. But bit-by-bit I’ll get organised.
Salt Palace Convention Center
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To everyone that’s coming to FGS and/or RootsTech 2015, be sure to stop by the Unlock the Past Cruises stand in the exhibition hall and say and big hello, I’d love to meet you. I don’t know what our stand number is, but you can be sure it’ll be the one with the Australian flag :-).
See you soon …
Related Posts:
RootsTech: Only a Few Days & 14,000kms Away
Conference Bling from RootsTech 2013
FGS and RootsTech 2015 – The Countdown is ON!
10 Responses to “FGS and RootsTech: The Excitement Begins!”
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Wooohooo!! I went shopping the other day and got 2 jackets – was surprised that there is actually winter stuff available, lol.
My Aunty knew nothing about the ESTA so I’ve had to e-mail her the info.
So excited! And I’m planning on bringing some Aussie souvenirs too 😀
You can feel the excitment building can’t you 😉
And I’m sure you’ve heard already Caitie, but layers is the way to go. Big thick coats/jackets for outside, and light longsleeve type tops for inside (yes, it really is that warm inside).
Sureee can! 😀
Yup. I’m all set for clothes I think. I spent Christmas ’10 in the US and it snowed too!
Don’t forget that the Aussies and friends are getting together for a casual dinner on Tuesday evening. I’ll post details on the Genuaus blog.
No Jill, I haven’t forgotten. Details are printed out and are in my “paperwork” folder as a reference.
It is exciting isn’t it! I have a tick against all your points….best give out lots of souvenirs or I won’t be able to buy stuff/books/tech toys to bring home 🙂
I like your plan there Pauleen. Very wise.
Oops no, I fibbed..no autograph book…not sure about that one.
awesome post, thanks for sharing!! how many business cards do you generally go through?? And what sort of book do you use for your autograph book?? This is my first time at RootsTech/FGS/SLC – I can’t imagine travelling all the way from Australia!!
Thanks so much for your comments, and I’m looking forward to meeting you 😉 … Now how many business cards are needed? That’s a tough one, but I guess I might reckon I gave out somewhere between 50-100 last time. But I guess it depends on how social you want to be. And as for my autograph book – it is a traditional old-school type Autograph book, Here’s a pic of it after RootsTech 2013 (http://www.lonetester.com/2013/03/genealogy-royalty-and-the-autograph-book/). Not long now … 😀