A New Genealogy & Technology Conference

A brand new genealogy conference is in the works, announced today by FamilySearch. The first annual RootsTech Conference, hosted by FamilySearch and sponsored by several leading genealogical organizations, will be held in Salt Lake City, Utah, February 10-12, 2011. The goal is to bring technologists and genealogists together to help deepen understanding of current technologies and foster innovation in applying technology to genealogy.
 
"When the users and creators of technology come together, innovation occurs," said Jay Verkler, president and CEO of FamilySearch. "The RootsTech Conference will accelerate that innovation through panels, discussion groups, and interactive demonstrations."
 
Josh Taylor, Director of Education and Programs for the New England Historic Genealogical Society, says the time is right for such a conference.  
 
"The collection of technologies present at the last National Genealogical Society Conference in Salt Lake City was so impressive that we see a need and opportunity for a strong annual technology genealogy conference to pursue solutions for the unique challenges facing genealogists," Taylor said.
 
Genealogists who attend the RootsTech Conference will be able to experience "technology prototype demonstrations, interactive workshops, and opportunities to test innovative new product and service concepts," according to the press release from FamilySearch. The conference also offers the opportunity for technology providers to demonstrate product concepts face-to-face to genealogists in order to better create products that meet their needs. Topics covered may include anything from search techniques, to smartphone apps, to social networking -- anything which covers an area where technology can be applied to facilitate and enhance genealogical research.
 
The RootsTech 2011 conference will be hosted by FamilySearch and sponsored by Ancestry.com, New England Historic Genealogical Society (NEHGS), Brigham Young University, and other leaders in the genealogy community. You can learn more on the new RootsTech Conference Web site. Lecture proposals are now being accepted.