RootsTech, the world’s largest family discovery event, to welcome millions of participants
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SALT LAKE CITY, Utah — Millions of people from across the globe will participate in-person and virtually this week in the world’s largest family discovery event.
RootsTech begins Thursday and runs through Saturday online and at the Salt Palace Convention Center. The annual event is hosted by FamilySearch, an international genealogy organization sponsored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
“In person, we get tens of thousands that come for various experiences across the three days,” FamilySearch International Director of Events Jonathan Wing told EastIdahoNews.com. “Last year (online), we had just under five million that participated and we anticipate more this year.”
The theme of this year’s convention is “Discover.” Organizers are planning hundreds of classes, interactive activities and entertainment designed to inspire and educate family history enthusiasts of all levels.
While The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the main sponsor of the convention, you don’t need to be a member of the church to attend.
“In fact, the majority of our audience base are not members of the church, and I think that surprises people,” Wing says. “RootsTech is for everyone. There’s something for those who are just getting started and don’t know where to begin. Then we have courses and tracks that are available to the professionals. What’s so neat about this is that there’s an offering at whatever level you are and wherever you are in the world.”
RootsTech is welcoming several keynote speakers, including Emmy Award-winning singer and songwriter Rachel Platten. She will share her story of “discovering and rediscovering herself, a journey that unexpectedly produced her career-changing track ‘Fight Song,'” according to a news release.
Other keynote speakers include Ndaba Mandela, author and grandson of Nelson Mandela; prominent artist Dana Tanamachi; and Olympic and Paralympic Gold-medalists Tara Davis-Woodhall and Hunter Woodhall.
Virtual keynotes include Latin American social media family Los Chicaneros, Filipina musician Ysabelle Cuevas, and Italian TV personality Marco Lui.
“In addition to the learning that takes place, there’s the innovation side of it,” Wing says. “We highlight the key industry players, like Ancestry or MyHeritage and of course, Family Search, and many other organizations that are providing the technology that helps accelerate meaningful discoveries.”
Online participation in RootsTech is free. In-person passes are $69 for a 1-day pass or $99 for a 3-day pass. You can register for the convention and learn more here.
Watch our entire interview with Wing in the video player above.
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