Call for Presentations RootsTech 2012 in Salt Lake City, Utah

The inaugural RootsTech Conference in 2011 was a huge success. Over 3000 attendees filled the presentation venues to learn about technologies and applications that could impact the many emerging facets of family history-related consumer markets worldwide. The Community Zone bustled with technology vendors and demonstrations and the Internet buzzed with blogs, tweets, chats, and articles for a month following the close of the conference. We expect RootsTech 2012 (2-4 February 2012, Salt Palace Convention Center, Salt Lake City) to continue to exceed expectations.

Consider being part of the RootsTech 2012 excitement as a presenter! Please look into the list of suggested topics attached or below as a guideline for what we're seeking (you are certainly welcome to suggest additional topics). RootsTech 2012 presentations will be 40-50 minutes.

Submit your presentation proposal(s) online at RootsTech 2012 Call for Presentations.

Please forward this email to colleagues, business partners, friends, or anyone else you think might be interested in presenting at RootsTech 2012.

Call for Speakers

February 2-4, 2012 | Salt Lake City, Utah

Genealogy is a fast growing market segment with broad consumer interest. The second annual RootsTech Conference brings genealogy technology users and consumer technology creators together to learn, collaborate, and shape the future of family history. Genealogy technology users at this conference are progressive, forward-thinking, and early adopters of devices and tools that simplify family history research. Technology creators include innovators, writers of code, developers, and other individuals who produce tools, services, and devices that could be used to simplify and increase involvement in family history.

Unique tracks will be offered that address the specific needs of genealogy technology users and technology innovators. We invite proposals that address technology challenges and solutions that have the potential to improve family history and genealogical research. Special emphasis will be placed on submissions that find ways for genealogy technology users and technology creators to work and interact together. Particular consideration will also be given to proposals that provide a hands-on or interactive experience, with presenters giving step-by-step approaches to using technology, software, hardware, algorithms, APIs, plug-ins, extensions, etc.

Possible session topics include:

·        GPS and geo-mapping

·        Mobile devices

·        Social applications

·        Imaging and visualization

·        Gamification

·        Cloud-based solutions

Submissions are due by June 30, 2011, with an extended deadline of October 15, 2011 for limited, late-breaking technology research submissions.

Types of Sessions

·       Presentations: Classroom settings that engage participants.

·       Panels or Discussions: Formal panels of experts discussing specific topics, led by a facilitator.

·       Hands-on Workshops: Labs where attendees have hands-on experience in a specific task or objective.

·       Unconferencing: Informal, participant-led discussion groups.

Submission Information

Proposals will be accepted online at RootsTech.org from May 25, 2011 through June 30,2011. Complete submission guidelines will be available on the website at that time. Syllabus materials will be due from participating presenters on November 1, 2011.

Presenters participating in the RootsTech Conference will receive a complimentary conference registration and a syllabus. There is no monetary compensation for presenters at this conference. Out-of-state speakers selected to present four or more lectures will also receive hotel accommodations.

Community-Requested Session Topics

Check back frequently as the community weighs in on RootsTech session topics.  Recent suggestions include:  geo-mapping, setting up a blog, archiving, gene research, how technology can accelerate the research process, scanners, how tech gadgets can be used for genealogy, video podcasting, genealogy on a Mac, digitizing photographs and papers, voice recognition, and mobile apps.

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Suggestions for topics for future UpFront with NGS posts are always welcome. Please send any suggested topics to [email protected].