All over the world at 7 am MDT on August 28th, genealogy enthusiasts were tuning in to hear the big announcement from RootsTech. Here’s what they had to say!
It was Steve Rockwood, CEO of FamilySearch, and Jen Allen, RootsTech Director, who popped up on Facebook Live the morning of August 28th. Straight from Salt Lake City, Utah, these two had an exciting announcement to make regarding RootsTech 2019.
Not only will there be the traditional RootsTech held in Salt Lake City in 2019, but they are jumping-the-pond to have RootsTech London! That’s right…RootsTech is going to have an additional conference called RootsTech London on October 24th – October 26th, 2019!
Why this New Addition?
The RootsTech team has been considering this for many years now. The United Kingdom, and London especially, is the “crossroads of many of our ancestral homelands,” said Rockwood. London is just the right location for the Eastern side of the world to access and a beautiful area rich with history.
Rockwood and Allen explained that because of the wonderful success of RootsTech in Salt Lake City, they have been able to see the benefit of adding a new location to this amazing conference. RootsTech London will not replace RootsTech-SLC, but be in addition to.
What Can I Expect at RootsTech London?
The venue will be the ExCeL London Convention Centre in East London. This location has many hotels and restaurants and is only 5 minutes from the airport.
“Everyone is invited,” says Allen. This conference will be much more accessible for our friends on the other side of the world, but it won’t exclude the Western World. They want everyone to enjoy this amazing conference.
Not thinking you will be able to make it? That’s okay! RootsTech London will be live streaming some of their amazing classes and keynotes. There are more details coming, so stay tuned.
In fact, to stay up-to-date with all the latest information regarding RootsTech London, see their landing page here: https://www.rootstech.org/london Be sure to sign up with your name and email to receive exclusive deals and updates.
RootsTech London will be similar to RootsTech Salt Lake City, but perhaps have a different flavor. The conference will be in English and will include keynote speakers, entertainment, classes, and an expo hall.
Important Dates for RootsTech London
The conference is being held on 24-26th of October 2019. Registration will open on 27 February 2019. More details about cost will be coming soon.
Of course, RootsTech London will need great speakers in the genealogy and family history field. Speakers should be thinking and planning ahead as the call for papers will begin on 22 October 2018. They are especially looking for classes regarding ancestral lands of the Eastern hemisphere, however, classes will cover a very wide variety. Details of speaker compensation to be announced.
What Do You Think?
So…what do you think? Do you need a moment to let this sink in? I sure did! Wow. What an amazing time to be a part of the genealogy and family history community. Great things are happening!
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