Tuesday, January 20, 2015

FGS/RootsTech Conference Preparation

RootsTech App ImageSmart phone apps are available now to help you plan your time at the 2015 FGS and RootsTech family history conferences, 11-14 February, in Salt Lake City.

According to FamilySearch,

The new RootsTech 2015 conference app is now available to download, giving you access to all of the conference information, including classes, exhibitors, speakers, and more.

With the conference app, you can:

  • Create a personalized class schedule.
  • Find speaker information.
  • Discover exhibitor details
  • Connect with other conference attendees.
  • Tweet and post your favorite quotes and pictures at RootsTech.
  • And more!

Plan for RootsTech 2015, and download the RootsTech 2015 conference app today at the [Apple] App Store and Google Play.1

I tried out the app with good success. They need to increase the resolution of the map of the exhibition hall; as is, it is illegible. Last year the app was also available via HTML, which was nice for laptops or Windows mobile phones. I didn’t see any mention of that this year.

View the entire announcement on the FamilySearch blog.

There’s been no announcement about the conference section of the FGS app, although it does exist. But it may not be ready for prime time. As I write this, the app has a couple of problems. The session schedule doesn’t show Saturday. And the session planner locked up. The app is available for iOS and Android.

The lock up was probably because I added the FGS conference to my RootsTech registration. I asked FGS about not being able to use Plan My Sessions in this situation. The conference registrar informed me that she can do nothing for me.

If you plan to attend the FGS 2015 conference (remember it is co-located with RootsTech this year), now’s the time to register. FGS recently reminded us that

The early registration discount for the 2015 Federation of Genealogical Societies Conference ends January 23. Early registrants pay $159 for the full four days. The online registration price increases to $189 after January 23. The cost to add-on RootsTech remains $39. Register now to pay the lowest registration price.2

That’s this Friday, so don’t delay. As you make your travel arrangements, be aware that the FGS classes on Wednesday are genealogical society related. View the entire press release on the FGS conference website.

Genealogical conferences are an important education opportunity and these are two of the best. I hope to see you there!

The Ancestry Insider is an official RootsTech ambassadorThe Ancestry Insider is an official FGS Conferrence Ambassador


Sources

     1.  Chad K, Schumacher, “New Scheduling Tools are Now Available for RootsTech 2015,” FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/blog/en/scheduling-tools-rootstech-2015/ : 9 January 2015).
     2.  “2015 FGS Conference Early Registration Discount Ends January 2,” PDF file, Federation of Genealogical Societies Conference 2015 (https://www.fgsconference.org : 9 January 2015) > press releases.

2 comments:

  1. The FGS app problems aren't limited to non-FGS registrants. I can't get into the conference part of the app from the main screen; have to go to FGS About and then choose from the drop down menu. (Using iOS 8.1.2) Saturday is still missing. I registered with FGS as main and added RootsTech. I will likely use a printed brochure for FGS and the Roots Tech app to navigate my schedule.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I've sent a friend request via the app to your alter ego. Look forward to catching up in person at Rootstech.

    ReplyDelete

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