Whether you are a long-time veteran of large genealogy conferences
like NGS, FGS or Jamboree, or if this is your first time venturing to an
event, you can benefit from experiences of other family historians.
You'll find lots of how-to articles in a Google search, but
we'll save you that work. Here are some blog posts and articles that
will help you know what to expect.
Here is a series of posts from the Jamboree blog:
Getting the Most out of Jamboree Part 1
Early Planning = Success
Getting the Most out of Jamboree Part 2
If you Can't be in 10 Places at Once
Attacking the Exhibit Hall
What to Pack
Getting the Most out of Jamboree Part 3
At the Conference
More insights:
Don't Be a Wallflower at Your First Genealogy Conference! by The Armchair Genealogist
What is a Genealogy Conference Anyway? by Kimberly Powell
Preparing for a Genealogical Conference by Michael John Neill
Getting the Most from Genealogy Conferences by Karin D. Berry
Getting the Most out of Genealogical Conferences Redux by Gena Philibert-Ortega
10 Reasons to Attend a Genealogy Conference - Terri from Findingourancestors.com
Prepare Before Attending a Genealogy Conference
- Granite Genealogy Blog
Showing posts with label Getting the Most. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Getting the Most. Show all posts
03 June 2013
Jamboree PowerPoint Available for Download (corrected link)
Yesterday, Leo Myers and I spent two hours (!) on a webinar going over what to expect at Jamboree. We had a wonderful audience that asked great questions.
The webinar will be online in a day or two, and I'll drop a note when it is available. In the meantime, and if you don't happen to have two hours to spend, you might want to download the PowerPoint presentation that we showed. If you are a first-timer at Jamboree, you will get some insights about our event that will help you make the most of the conference.
You might also want to look at the Jamboree website for some other hints on Getting the Most out of Jamboree.
NOTE: Most of you received this notice yesterday. We apologize for the broken link to the PowerPoint. Please feel free to download it now.
The webinar will be online in a day or two, and I'll drop a note when it is available. In the meantime, and if you don't happen to have two hours to spend, you might want to download the PowerPoint presentation that we showed. If you are a first-timer at Jamboree, you will get some insights about our event that will help you make the most of the conference.
You might also want to look at the Jamboree website for some other hints on Getting the Most out of Jamboree.
NOTE: Most of you received this notice yesterday. We apologize for the broken link to the PowerPoint. Please feel free to download it now.
01 June 2009
Getting the Most out of a Genealogy Conference - Part 3
Read earlier installments of this series here.
A month away from your conference and it's getting time to get serious about your planning. If you haven't plotted out your plan of attack and decided on the sessions you want to attend, do it now. Look on the conference website for announcements of schedule changes, including sessions that may have been added or cancelled.
Check the list of exhibitors for additions or deletions there, too. Update your shopping list, burn several copies of your genealogy database file or GEDCOM. Include photos of your family members so you can show them off to the new friends (and maybe cousins!) that you'll find at the conference. Print out copies of your family group sheets and highlight or put sticky notes on the ones of greatest interest.
Are there any vendors who will provide services on the spot or shortly after the conference? If there is a book binder, for example, you might want to write ahead and see what they recommend about that family Bible. If there is a photo restorer, bring the photos and get a price quote and recommendation during the conference.
Look to see if any of the sessions are going to be audio or video recorded. You actually *can* be in two places at once. Many conference attendees suffer from a wealth of opportunity, and taking a few recordings home with you can help to cover more sessions and keep a particularly good session alive for a long, long time.
Write down questions you want to ask of the speakers, including those whose sessions you will miss.
At the conference:
1. Don't Be Shy!! Introduce yourself to others who are seated nearby. Network, network, network. What surnames are they searching? What areas of the country or world? What is their most interesting family story?
2. Use the break time and meal sessions to gather information. Ask if anyone has ever researched black sheep relatives. Or requested a full Civil War pension file from NARA. Or obtained genealogical information using the Freedom of Information Act provisions. Or used a software program or subscribed to an online service. You'll find a wealth of knowledge -- and maybe avoid the mistakes that others have made -- through informal conversation.
3. Be comfortable. Dress in layers. It's notoriously difficult to manage room temperature to everyone's liking, especially in a hotel conference area with a thousand or more people. Wear comfortable shoes and clothing.
4. Familiarize yourself with the layout of the conference center. Where is the lecture area? The exhibit hall? Freebie table? Where are the rest rooms? Where do you get your parking validated? Don't be afraid to ask one of the conference volunteers if you need directions.
5. Go through the registration bag. Check to see if you have your tickets for meals or special events you are attending. Exhibitors and vendors often put freebies in the registration packet, so see what goodies are there for you. The conference sponsors may provide information on area restaurants, activities, etc.
6. A conference isn't like church. Go ahead and sit in the front of the lecture room. You'll be able to see better, and hear better, and get more out of the presentation.
7. Eat light meals and be prepared to munch a light snack between sessions. Many conference planners leave 30 minutes or more between sessions. Step outside for a few minutes to stretch your legs and get some fresh air.
8. Take a turn around the exhibit hall before you start spending. Consult your shopping list for the books, software, indexes, magazines, research tools, and other products. Some exhibitors will offer special conference price discounts and may offer special last-day mark-downs. Some vendors refresh their products throughout the conference so check back often.
9. Speakers are usually glad to stop and chat informally with conference attendees. Although it's tempting to try to talk to a presenter immediately at the close of a session, you might consider waiting for another time. The speaker and conference staff members are concerned with packing up their equipment, clearing the meeting room, gathering the evaluation forms, and preparing the conference room for the next session. You'll get more attention and better responses if you approach them when they have more time to devote to you.
10. Fill out the evaluation forms honestly and completely. The conference planners really do look at each and every comment and use your suggestions to improve future years' conferences.
11. Be considerate of your fellow attendees. Turn off your cell phones during the sessions. If you use a rolling book carrier for your belongings, or use a walker or other equipment to get around, please put them aside, out of the aisle, so that others can walk safely. Avoid the temptation to save the seat beside you just to give yourself more room.
12. Keep your sense of humor and flexibility. Sometimes the schedule changes at the last minute, or the food concession runs out of your favorite soda, or there's a technical glitch with the audiovisual equipment. Conference organizers do everything possible to prevent such occurrences, but they do happen. Thanks for your patience and understanding.
13. Thank the volunteers for the time and effort they put into producing the conference. Speaking from experience, this is a labor of love. But it always feels great to have someone say that magical "thank you." It works better than Red Bull in lifting flagging energy.
A month away from your conference and it's getting time to get serious about your planning. If you haven't plotted out your plan of attack and decided on the sessions you want to attend, do it now. Look on the conference website for announcements of schedule changes, including sessions that may have been added or cancelled.
Check the list of exhibitors for additions or deletions there, too. Update your shopping list, burn several copies of your genealogy database file or GEDCOM. Include photos of your family members so you can show them off to the new friends (and maybe cousins!) that you'll find at the conference. Print out copies of your family group sheets and highlight or put sticky notes on the ones of greatest interest.
Are there any vendors who will provide services on the spot or shortly after the conference? If there is a book binder, for example, you might want to write ahead and see what they recommend about that family Bible. If there is a photo restorer, bring the photos and get a price quote and recommendation during the conference.
Look to see if any of the sessions are going to be audio or video recorded. You actually *can* be in two places at once. Many conference attendees suffer from a wealth of opportunity, and taking a few recordings home with you can help to cover more sessions and keep a particularly good session alive for a long, long time.
Write down questions you want to ask of the speakers, including those whose sessions you will miss.
At the conference:
1. Don't Be Shy!! Introduce yourself to others who are seated nearby. Network, network, network. What surnames are they searching? What areas of the country or world? What is their most interesting family story?
2. Use the break time and meal sessions to gather information. Ask if anyone has ever researched black sheep relatives. Or requested a full Civil War pension file from NARA. Or obtained genealogical information using the Freedom of Information Act provisions. Or used a software program or subscribed to an online service. You'll find a wealth of knowledge -- and maybe avoid the mistakes that others have made -- through informal conversation.
3. Be comfortable. Dress in layers. It's notoriously difficult to manage room temperature to everyone's liking, especially in a hotel conference area with a thousand or more people. Wear comfortable shoes and clothing.
4. Familiarize yourself with the layout of the conference center. Where is the lecture area? The exhibit hall? Freebie table? Where are the rest rooms? Where do you get your parking validated? Don't be afraid to ask one of the conference volunteers if you need directions.
5. Go through the registration bag. Check to see if you have your tickets for meals or special events you are attending. Exhibitors and vendors often put freebies in the registration packet, so see what goodies are there for you. The conference sponsors may provide information on area restaurants, activities, etc.
6. A conference isn't like church. Go ahead and sit in the front of the lecture room. You'll be able to see better, and hear better, and get more out of the presentation.
7. Eat light meals and be prepared to munch a light snack between sessions. Many conference planners leave 30 minutes or more between sessions. Step outside for a few minutes to stretch your legs and get some fresh air.
8. Take a turn around the exhibit hall before you start spending. Consult your shopping list for the books, software, indexes, magazines, research tools, and other products. Some exhibitors will offer special conference price discounts and may offer special last-day mark-downs. Some vendors refresh their products throughout the conference so check back often.
9. Speakers are usually glad to stop and chat informally with conference attendees. Although it's tempting to try to talk to a presenter immediately at the close of a session, you might consider waiting for another time. The speaker and conference staff members are concerned with packing up their equipment, clearing the meeting room, gathering the evaluation forms, and preparing the conference room for the next session. You'll get more attention and better responses if you approach them when they have more time to devote to you.
10. Fill out the evaluation forms honestly and completely. The conference planners really do look at each and every comment and use your suggestions to improve future years' conferences.
11. Be considerate of your fellow attendees. Turn off your cell phones during the sessions. If you use a rolling book carrier for your belongings, or use a walker or other equipment to get around, please put them aside, out of the aisle, so that others can walk safely. Avoid the temptation to save the seat beside you just to give yourself more room.
12. Keep your sense of humor and flexibility. Sometimes the schedule changes at the last minute, or the food concession runs out of your favorite soda, or there's a technical glitch with the audiovisual equipment. Conference organizers do everything possible to prevent such occurrences, but they do happen. Thanks for your patience and understanding.
13. Thank the volunteers for the time and effort they put into producing the conference. Speaking from experience, this is a labor of love. But it always feels great to have someone say that magical "thank you." It works better than Red Bull in lifting flagging energy.
26 April 2009
Getting the Most out of a Genealogy Conference - Part 2
Read the first part of this article here.
So, you've made your hotel reservations and sent in your conference registration. What next?
If the conference offers several presentation sessions, how do you choose from among the many options? Study the program and pick the lectures you want to attend.
Devise a plan of attack.
- Study your family group sheets and pedigree charts.
- Identify specific "missing pieces" or unsolved puzzles in your documentation.
- Review the conference schedule to pinpoint sessions that will give you the most useful tips and guidelines.
- Build your plan around the key sessions you want to attend.
- Then fill in the rest of your schedule plan.
- Identify speakers who have experience in the geographic areas of interest.
- Step out of your comfort zone. If you've searched online, then go to a session on a search-and-touch techniques. If you've never touched a keyboard or used an Internet source, then see what is available online.
Put together a shopping list. You'll find lots of new and used genealogy books for sale. Read book reviews or visit a library to get a preview of authors' books. If you're an online researcher, visit the speakers' and exhibitors' websites to find what products and services they offer.
What should you bring with you?
- Family group sheets and pedigree charts, either on paper or on your laptop.
- Notes or questions that you want to pose to speakers.
- Other materials (e.g. photos to be restored or analyzed).
- Book or tote bag (some attendees use rolling bags for convenience).
- Sticky notes to flag pages in the syllabus.
- Pen or pencil for taking notes
- Highlighter
- Camera
So, you've made your hotel reservations and sent in your conference registration. What next?
If the conference offers several presentation sessions, how do you choose from among the many options? Study the program and pick the lectures you want to attend.
Devise a plan of attack.
- Study your family group sheets and pedigree charts.
- Identify specific "missing pieces" or unsolved puzzles in your documentation.
- Review the conference schedule to pinpoint sessions that will give you the most useful tips and guidelines.
- Build your plan around the key sessions you want to attend.
- Then fill in the rest of your schedule plan.
- Identify speakers who have experience in the geographic areas of interest.
- Step out of your comfort zone. If you've searched online, then go to a session on a search-and-touch techniques. If you've never touched a keyboard or used an Internet source, then see what is available online.
Put together a shopping list. You'll find lots of new and used genealogy books for sale. Read book reviews or visit a library to get a preview of authors' books. If you're an online researcher, visit the speakers' and exhibitors' websites to find what products and services they offer.
What should you bring with you?
- Family group sheets and pedigree charts, either on paper or on your laptop.
- Notes or questions that you want to pose to speakers.
- Other materials (e.g. photos to be restored or analyzed).
- Book or tote bag (some attendees use rolling bags for convenience).
- Sticky notes to flag pages in the syllabus.
- Pen or pencil for taking notes
- Highlighter
- Camera
12 March 2009
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?
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?
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