Call for Presentations
March 21-23, 2013 | Salt Lake City, Utah

The third annual RootsTech Conference will bring together thought leaders and consumers of all skill levels who want to share and experience the latest trends in genealogy and technology. Building on the success and growth of previous years, RootsTech 2013 will reach thousands of participants on site and around the world. RootsTech includes engaging, interactive sessions that promote learning and the free exchange of ideas on using technology to improve the way genealogy is done. The conference provides many opportunities to simplify and improve the family history experience for those just getting started to those who are advanced genealogists.

We are looking for unique presentations that address the specific ways in which technology can be used by all levels of genealogists (beginner to advanced). The focus for developers will be the latest resources and techniques needed to create and contribute to innovative applications and systems in the family history industry. We invite proposals that address technology challenges and solutions that have the potential to improve family history and genealogical research. Additional consideration will be given to proposals that provide hands-on or interactive experiences, with presenters giving step-by-step approaches and live demonstrations for using technology for genealogy, including tips and helps for using software, hardware, web-based solutions, etc. Since RootsTech is designed as an interactive conference, traditional lectures depending entirely on text-based slides are discouraged.

Possible sessions for genealogists include:

Introduction to various technology solutions for genealogists with minimal tech experience
Online sites and services for getting started
Solutions for saving, accessing and sharing data
Publishing and sharing family history online
Tools for online collaboration and community projects
Using popular applications for family history
Reaching and engaging new genealogists through technology
Tips for successful online research
Organizing files and data to support good conclusions

Possible sessions for developers include:

GPS and geo-mapping ancestral locations
Applications for mobile devices
Social applications
Standards and APIs
Records imaging and tree visualization
Gamification of family history experiences
Cloud-based solutions for saving, accessing, and sharing data

Submissions are due by June 15, 2012, with an extended deadline of October 15, 2012 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 9, 2012 through June 15, 2012. Syllabus materials will be due from participating presenters on October 1, 2012 (other than late-breaking proposals).

While there is no monetary compensation, RootsTech presenters will receive a complimentary conference registration and a syllabus. Speakers from out-of-state selected to present three or more lectures will also receive hotel accommodations.