Getting the Most out of a Genealogy Conference - Part 1

Getting the Most out of a Genealogy Conference - Part 1
Early Planning = Success

Long before you pack your suitcase to attend a genealogy conference, you can start planning to make the most of your investment in time and money. Planning ahead can save travel expenses, help you organize your pre-conference homework, and result in a better conference experience for you. Start early to make this a successful trip for you!

You've decided to attend a national conference -- sponsored by the National Genealogical Society (NGS), the Federation of Genealogical Societies (FGS) -- or a large regional conference like New England Regional Genealogical Conference (NERGC) or the Jamboree. What now?

Contact your distant cousins and family research friends and suggest a get-together at the conference. You can divide the schedule to cover as many sessions as possible and then pool your experiences and knowledge after the conference. Carpooling and sharing a hotel room will help defray expenses.

Consider extending your trip by a day or two to give yourself some extra time to explore the area. Check to see what other area repositories are available. Reach out to area courthouses, genealogical societies, libraries, and other repositories for hours of operation and holdings that may be helpful to you. The conference sponsor or website may have a hospitality contact that can be of help. You may be able to take advantage of discounted hotel rates for a day or two before or after the conference.

Register for the conference early to take advantage of any early registration discounts. Even if you live nearby, stay at the conference hotel so you can avoid traffic hassles and be fresh and stress-free. Make your hotel reservations early to make sure rooms aren't sold out. If you're traveling a distance, make plane, train or bus reservations early to get the best fares.

Sign up to receive email list announcements or newsletters, or subscribe to conference or genealogy society blogs to stay updated on the conference.

You'll find more good ideas from these websites:

Attending a Genealogy Event - What Can You Get Out of Going to a Genealogy Conference?

What is a Genealogy Conference Anyway?

Why Attend a Genealogy Conference?