We’re in the dog days of summer, yet I am longing for the dead of winter in Salt Lake City and the start of RootsTech 2018. Now is actually the time to begin planning your trip, but you need to be aware of several big changes.

First, previous RootsTech conferences have happened in early February. Beginning in 2018, it will be held near the end of the month and is scheduled for 28 February – 3 March, 2018.

Second is a change in the opening day, which is Wednesday, 28 February (not Thursday, which has been the traditional opening session of the conference.)

A full day of class sessions will begin that morning at 9:30 a.m., followed by sessions at 11:00, 1:30, and 3:00. Following the last session, the General Session will begin at 4:30, featuring speaker Steve Rockwood, CEO of FamilySearch International.

For those who followed the Innovator Summit and Innovator Showcase, these events are now combined into one event titled The Innovation Showcase. This new Showcase will be featured in the session following Rockwood’s general session address.

Another change coming in 2018 is one I love. Following the Wednesday sessions, the Expo Hall will be open from 6-8 p.m.! I love, love, love the Expo Hall, as I learn as much from the vendors as I do from the speakers. After all, this is a genealogy – technology conference! Much of the new technology is featured in the Expo Hall.

More to know –

Hotels near the convention center are already accepting reservations for RootsTech 2018.

Registration for RootsTech 2018 opens on 20 September 2017 – in about three short weeks. Take advantage of the early bird rates and book soon.

For a limited time, exclusive early bird pricing will be available for both the RootsTech and Getting Started passes, which will be available for $169 and $69, respectively. As the Innovator Summit is now The Innovation Showcase, presented on Wednesday, access to this event is NOW INCLUDED in the RootsTech pass price.

More details are being announced on the RootsTech blog, so be sure to check for the latest information.

I will be posting more on registration, what to expect at RootsTech for first timers and how to make the most of Family History Library time while attending the biggest genealogy conference in the world.

I’m also thrilled to share the news that I am an official RootsTech 2018 Ambassador!

I hope to meet you in Salt Lake City at RootsTech 2018!