We kept hearing rumors that RootsTech 2023 would be a hybrid conference with both online and in-person components and we finally got the following announcement from FamilySearch.
SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH—RootsTech, the world’s largest family history gathering is back in 2023 with an in-person event in Salt Lake City to complement its massive online conference. Mark your calendars for March 2–4, 2023, to join millions of virtual and in-person attendees for inspiring keynote addresses, instructive classes, innovative technologies, and most of all, the ability to connect people to their family—past, present, and future.
FamilySearch is thrilled to continue the legacy of hosting RootsTech in the effort of uniting families. The 2023 event marks the 13th year of this global gathering. In 2022, over 3 million people participated online. Since the beginning, innovation has been a guiding principle for RootsTech. Each year, the event organizers adapt the content to appeal to people worldwide and to stay current. The 2023 event will be no different.
“We feel compelled to keep learning and evolving,” said Jen Allen, RootsTech event director. “We are constantly seeking new ideas to help expand reach outside the industry and create engaging and educational experiences for RootsTech attendees.”
The 2023 event will welcome speakers from all over the world covering a host of genealogy-related subjects. There are many announcements yet to come about RootsTech 2023, but Allen said the virtual experience will remain free and open to everyone all over the world. The in-person event will have a cost (to be determined) associated with registration and will feature exclusive classes with enhanced features like live Q&As or in-depth workshops and case studies. In addition, the in-person event will have unique connection experiences and of course, the energetic expo hall, which is a favorite of past RootsTech attendees.
Unless you read this closely, you might miss the news that RootsTech 2022, which was completely online and had over 3 million participants. Many of us who have participated in the past could not see how FamilySearch could ignore that fact and go back to an in-person conference. I guess the question that everyone has to answer is whether or not we all want to spend our time and money to go to an in-person conference when it will be online also. I would go in-person if that were to be possible simply because I live an hour away from Salt Lake City.
I am sure we will hear more soon. You can keep posted at RootsTech.org.
