There is something about attending a genealogy conference that results in the excitement of learning in big gulps. Seattle will be my fifth IAJGS conference. I attended my first conference in 2010 in Los Angeles, California. So, although I am now somewhat of a veteran of these gatherings, I can still remember how it felt as a newbie. I have not lost the excitement of anticipating the start of the conference and I definitely recall the uncertainty of, “What have I gotten myself into!”
The IAJGS conference will offer opportunities for learning and networking; the attendee must make the most of these opportunities to ensure a valuable and enjoyable experience.
With that in mind, this will be the first of several posts regarding information and recommendations for making the most of one’s conference experience. Today we’ll talk about the general structure of the conference and a few of the awesome options offered to enhance your genealogy conference pleasure.
Conference structure
IAJGS conference presentations start on Sunday morning, August 7, 2016 at 9:00 A.M. and end on Friday, August 12 at 12:45 P.M. With general registration for the conference, one is entitled to attend nearly all sessions, films, receptions and events. Exceptions include computer labs; catered luncheons, sponsored by Special Interest Groups and organizations; presentations that are part of the Educators’ Forum, on Sunday only; and the banquet. To attend computer labs, luncheons, the banquet and/or the Educators’ Forum, one must registration for those specific activities and pay additional fees.
In addition to my attendance at IAJGS conferences, I have been to several general (not Jewish-specific) genealogy conferences in the last few years. Most of those conferences include full day-time schedules and only an occasional evening program. IAJGS is a different in that nearly every waking hour (and some non-waking hours) has activities scheduled. So, be prepared after-hours for films, a play, Sleepless in Seattle genealogy-based stories, and, of course, the Thursday evening banquet. Attendees get to choose what they attend. I recommend attending at least some of these events to get full benefit of the conference.
I have noticed that some people leave conferences early and attendance in Friday sessions is often affected. I am the kind of person who stays for the movie credits at the end of a film and, as a result, I am often rewarded with great music and, sometimes, additional features that others, who leave early, miss. Likewise, I have heard some of the best presentations on the last day of conferences. As a member of this year’s Program Committee, I assure you that the sessions on Friday morning are worth waiting for and that, in fact, we scheduled some of, what we thought would be, the most compelling sessions on Friday morning. So, if you can arrange your travel, plan to stay through the Friday morning sessions!
Registration
One may register (sign in to the conference and get one’s badge and bag) starting Saturday evening, August 6 and, of course, Sunday morning (the exact times and places will be announced at a later date). One may, of course, register on Sunday morning, but the crowd on Saturday evening usually affords an opportunity to not only meet other conference participants, but also spend some quality time later with the contents of one’s conference satchel.
The conference bag is suitable for toting throughout the week. The bag typically contains flyers, information and coupons from conference sponsors and a flash drive with the conference syllabus and handouts. Make sure you find the flash drive and stow it in a safe place (a place you will recall later when you wish to look at the flash drive’s contents on your computer). [NOTE: No paper copy of the conference syllabus and handouts will be provided unless purchased in advance. One may do so within the online registration options provided in the Attendee Service Center.]
When registering online, one received, via email, a receipt with a UPC code. Have that in hand and one’s registration experience will be a bit smoother. But, do not fret. Those without their receipt will still be able to register – you just may have to go through an extra step or two.
The App
A week or so before the conference, the organizers will announce availability of the conference app. The IAJGS, like most conferences, has adopted applications (aka apps) that may be used with any IOS or Adroid tablets, smart phones and other wireless devices (including PCs and Macs). The IAJGS conference app includes, among other things, a calendar, the conference schedule, presentation synopses and speaker profiles, and contact information for other attendees. One may use the app to select and schedule presentations of interest, view and download presentation handouts and take notes on talks.
One of the more important aspects of the app is the announcement/notification function. When the conference organizers wish to remind attendees of an up-coming event or a change, they will send notification to each attendee via the app. So, in addition to helping participants plan their time at the conference, the app also keeps them up-to-date on conference news.
Wireless Internet service will be available in the presentation venues and other common areas of the hotel. Hotel guests in the conference room block will also have free Internet access in their rooms. So, if one has an Internet capable device, one may sign in to the conference wireless system and take advantage of awesome app tools.
Aside from the calendar function, which I find an absolute necessity, I also like the fact that I do not have to print out handouts before the sessions. I have an iPad and can follow along with the handout image on my screen and take notes, as well. I save paper, ink, time and trees!
The Resource Room
The Resource Room is a special dedicated location where one may use conference-supplied computers to access non-subscription and subscription databases (provided for free during the conference). This year the Resource Room will also feature opportunities to meet with experts from Yad Vashem and the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum.
Accessible databases will include Ancestry, MyHeritage, Find My Past, American Ancestors, Fold3, Newspapers.com, JewishData, among others. Wednesday will be ProQuest Day from 9:00 A.M. to 10 P.M. ProQuest databases are, ordinarily, only available to libraries – and most libraries only subscribe to small portions of the complete ProQuest collection. My favorite among the ProQuest databases is the American Jewish Newspapers collection. But, ProQuest will also include HeritageQuest, Sanborn Maps, obituaries and numerous other newspapers.
Usually, there is along waiting line to use computers during ProQuest Day. If there is a long line, those staffing the Resource Room will provide a sign-in sheet and limit users in the amount of time they may be at a computer.
I will do another post in a week or so with more in-depth information about plans for this year’s Resource Room.
Exhibit Hall
The Exhibit Hall will be open during the day for most of the conference and will feature companies and organizations with information, goods and services for the genealogy researcher. Each organization will be represented by its own experts who can help with questions. A current list of exhibitors may be found at http://www.iajgs2016.org/exhibitors/.
If you have family records in foreign languages and would like them translated, be sure to have quality images with you at the conference. Skilled translators will be in the Exhibit Hall and available by appointment to help regarding translation needs.
Next up:
In another post (coming soon), we’ll talk about conference special events you will not want to miss.