Frequently Asked Questions

What is RootsTech?

RootsTech offers participants the unique experience of engaging with the latest technology to start or accelerate their efforts to find, organize, preserve, and share their family’s connections and history. RootsTech offers many new, exciting resources for genealogists and family historians of all skill levels.

When and where is RootsTech?

RootsTech will be held March 21-23, 2013 at the Salt Palace Convention Center in Salt Lake City, Utah.

How do I register?

You can register by clicking on the Register Today button in the upper-right corner of the website. If you need assistance, please email info@rootstech.org.

Can I pay with a check rather than a credit card?

Because class registration and booth registration are being handled online, only credit card and debit card payments are possible at this time.

What is the cost to attend?

What is included in the full conference registration fee?

Registration fees includes:

• A three-day pass to the RootsTech conference
• Access to the Expo Hall
• Access to Getting Started and Story@Home classes
• An opportunity to sign up for prize drawings
• A conference bag
• Participation in collaborative sessions
• Please note: All single day passes allow the attendee access to the conference and Expo Hall for one day only.

What is Story@Home?

Now as part of RootsTech, Story@Home offeres 20+ classes focused on the power of sharing family stories. Classes are taught by award-winning storytellers, performers and speakers with expertise in the art of sharing stories.

How do I add Story@Home classes to my registration?

Story@Home classes are already a part of the full conference pass, any 1-day Full Conference passes, and the Student pass. To add Story@Home to an existing 3-day Getting Started pass, simply edit your registration, choose the combo pass, and pay the difference.

I am coming from out of town. Where should I stay?

A limited number of rooms have been reserved at nearby hotels for RootsTech attendees. Click here for details.

May I bring a guest with me to the evening events?

A single guest ticket will be available for the evening events. You must reserve your guest ticket during the registration process. A minimal fee may apply.

Where can I park?

There are several parking plazas located in relation to the Salt Palace and downtown. Click on the red boxes to see the price for each lot. Some are as low as $3.00 per day. The Salt Palace also has parking that is available for $2.00 per hour/$12.00 per day.

You may also park outside of the fee-based parking downtown and use public transportation to the Salt Palace. TRAX stops in front of the Salt Palace on South Temple and West Temple.

When does registration open at the Salt Palace?

• Wednesday, March 20 registration is open: 5:00pm – 8:00pm
• Thursday, March 21 registration is open: 7:00am – 6:00pm
• Friday, March 22 registration is open: 7:00am – 6:00pm
• Saturday, March 23 registration is open: 7:00am – 12:00pm

How do I become a RootsTech exhibitor?

The Expo Hall for RootsTech 2013 is growing! We're excited to offer exhibitors an opportunity to get face-to-face with more than 4,000 RootsTech attendees in an energetic and informative venue. Click to fill out the Exhibitor Form. For more information on RootsTech 2013 Exhibitor opportunities, please email exhibitors@rootstech.org.

How do I become a RootsTech sponsor?

Sponsorship opportunities are available for evening events, keynote sessions, tech lounges, presentation tracks, and more.

For more information on RootsTech 2013 sponsorship opportunities, please email sponsors@rootstech.org.

How do I become an Official RootsTech Blogger?

Bloggers with significant followings who post up-to-date information about technology and genealogy news and events were selected as Official RootsTech Bloggers. If you or someone you know should be included in this list, please contact us at info@rootstech.org.

How is FamilySearch affiliated with RootsTech?

FamilySearch is hosting RootsTech as a community-driven conference that is supported by both technology and genealogy sponsors. Speakers are selected by independent committees. RootsTech is independent of the FamilySearch affiliate program.

What time will exhibitors be able to set up and tear down?

Exhibitors will be allowed to set up at 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday, March 20, 2012. Tear down should not begin before 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 23, 2012.

What happens if I need to cancel?

Registrations may be refunded if the cancellation is made in writing to info@rootstech.org up to 15 business days (by Thursday, February 27, 2013 at 5:00 pm MT) prior to the start of the event. Cancellations received within 15 business days of an event or non-attendance will not be refunded.

Can an attendee substitute a colleague to avoid losing their registration fee/ticket?

Substitution of registrations may be made at any time up to the start of the conference. Sharing of attendee passes is not permitted. The attendee will need to contact registration to provide the name of the colleague taking his/her place. They may email info@rootstech.org to make this change.

What kind of weather should I plan for in Utah during March?

Utah weather in March can be tricky. There's certainly a chance of sun, rain, and snow—all in the same day! To make the most of your trip, come prepared.

The workshops I want to attend are full? Do you offer a wait list?

This year, we doubled the number of workshops and increased the seating capacity in each session. The response has been impressive, with many workshops filling up within days of registration opening. At this time we do not offer a wait list. We are looking at ways to offer more workshops. If more seating becomes available we will communicate it on the website, our blog and by email.

Is RootsTech worth attending even though the workshops are full?

Absolutely! Workshops are only a small percentage of what makes RootsTech a great conference. We offer over 250 classes, providing informative and inspiring content taught by world-class presenters. Check out the class schedule here and you're sure to find something worth attending.

You'll also want to come to RootsTech to hear from our keynote speakers. They'll provide insight and vision for the future of the family history industry and the technology we're using. And, you'll have access to over 100+ vendors demoing products and services to help in your pursuit of family history in our huge expo hall.

Will sessions of the 2013 conference be streamed online?

Yes. Similar to past years we will be streaming several sessions of the conference live on our website. Once the conference is over, recordings of these sessions will be posted on our website for future reference.

I have another question, who do I contact?

If your question has not been answered here, please send an email to info@rootstech.org.