A new RootsTech 2018 Innovation Showcase is one for the books! Check out these new changes for the biggest genealogy conference in the world and learn how you can help.
The New RootsTech 2018 Innovation Showcase
In years past, RootsTech genealogy classes started on a Thursday and included three, full days of learning. For the upcoming 2018 year, they will start on Wednesday and include the Innovation Showcase. Day one will begin with an opening General Keynote Session and the new, highly anticipated Innovation Showcase to follow it up. You can read the official announcement online in the FamilySearch Newsroom.
CEO of FamilySearch, Steve Rockwood says: “Wednesday has been, and will continue to be, all about the amazing technical and scientific innovations that are transforming our industry. This first day of innovation has its own unique vibe, and we want everyone to feel it! This honors the original intent of RootsTech by bringing entrepreneurs, technical innovators, and interested parties from other industries together with those engaged in family history. It will now feature the general opening keynote to kickoff the conference and be filled with appealing classes for attendees and innovators combined.”
So why the change? Well, RootsTech is viewing this event as the “evolution of the Innovator Showdown.” The Showdown was the event held on Wednesday’s in years past, but it wasn’t getting the attention it deserved. It was also viewed as something separate from the 3-day event. Now, the Innovation Showcase “is intended to be an open platform for the very best technological innovations to be featured on the main stage at RootsTech,” says Tyler Stahle of the RootsTech committee. It will become an integral part of everyone’s RootsTech experience.
They Need Your Help
RootsTech is now accepting nominations for the 2018 Innovation Showcase from the public and that’s where you come in! You can nominate your favorite family history related app, product, or service by using #RootsTechInnovation on Facebook or Twitter, or visit the Innovation Showcase page at Rootstech.org. The submission deadline is October 15, 2017. Submitting a suggestion is easy. The only criteria is that the product or feature be new (within the past two years), and that it is adding value to the genealogy industry.
After the submission deadline, the RootsTech innovation committee will begin reviewing the nominations. The committee will narrow the nominations down to 5 of the best, and each of the 5 finalists will have the chance to be featured on the main stage following Steve Rockwood’s general session on Wednesday. Rather than having one “winner,” they’ll have five finalists, who each get equal coverage on stage.
So what are your favorite apps, tools, features, or products in the genealogy world? Why not submit a nomination and show your support of the new Innovation Showcase! Click here for the direct link to the submission form.
RootsTech 2018 Registration is Coming Up!
RootsTech 2018 will be held at the Salt Palace Convention Center in Salt Lake City, Utah, February 28 to March 3, 2018. RootsTech is the largest genealogy conference in the world! It offers attendees breakout sessions and family history classes, an amazing exhibit hall, popular keynote speakers, and bring-the-house-down entertainment! RootsTech 2018 registration will open September 20, 2017, but you may have the chance to win a free, full conference pass. Just keep checking in here at The Genealogy Reporter blog, follow us on Twitter, and follow us on Instagram to hear when.
Watch Past Sessions of RootsTech for Free Online
Did you know you can watch sessions from RootsTech 2017 online for free? Yep! This amazing resource is available to anyone, so pop over and enjoy! Click here, or on the image below, for viewing.
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