Your Guide to RootsTech 2026: What I’m Looking Forward To (and Tips for Making the Most of It)

We are in the home stretch, RootsTech 2026 kicks off on 5 March, and whether this is your first conference or your fifteenth, a little planning goes a long way. In this post, I am sharing the sessions beyond my own that have caught my eye, some practical tips for navigating the conference, and a few things I wish someone had told me before my first RootsTech.

Sessions I Have on My Schedule

One of the best (and most overwhelming) parts of RootsTech is the sheer number of sessions available. The full class catalogue is live at RootsTech.org, and I have already been building my personal schedule. While I obviously recommend my own sessions (Lineage Societies on Friday at 5:00 PM and Collecting Family Stories on Saturday at 3:30 PM) here are some other areas I am excited to explore this year:

AI and genealogy sessions. RootsTech 2025’s theme was “Discovery,” and a big part of that conversation was the emerging role of artificial intelligence in family history research. This year, I am expecting even more sessions on how AI tools are changing the way we search, transcribe, and analyse records. I want to see what is genuinely useful and what is still hype.

DNA and genetic genealogy. It would not be RootsTech without a solid lineup of DNA sessions. I always try to attend at least one or two to stay current with methodology updates, new tools, and case studies. If you are newer to DNA testing, RootsTech is one of the best places to learn from the experts who literally wrote the books on the subject.

International and under-represented records. With the “Together” theme, I am hoping to see strong representation of research strategies for non-English-speaking countries and communities whose records are harder to access. These sessions always teach me something new, even when they are outside my primary research areas.

Pro tip: The RootsTech schedule will continue to update as the event approaches. Prioritise sessions that are NOT livestreamed, since recorded sessions can be watched later on demand. Use the RootsTech app or website to build your personal schedule and set reminders.

The Keynotes You Will Not Want to Miss

I shared details about the full keynote lineup in my announcement post, but let me highlight the in-person keynotes you will want to plan your days around:

Thursday, 5 March: Marlee Matlin — The first deaf person to win an Academy Award, Matlin will be speaking about perseverance and the power of identity. Given how much genealogy is about understanding who we are and where we come from, I expect this to resonate deeply.

Friday, 6 March: Tara Roberts — A National Geographic explorer who dives to sunken slave ships to recover and preserve the stories of enslaved people lost at sea. If that does not give you chills, I do not know what will.

Saturday, 7 March: Steve Young — NFL Hall of Famer and Super Bowl MVP. Young will be sharing stories about his family and how he balances public life with personal family connections.

Remember that all in-person keynotes will also be available to virtual attendees, and the four virtual keynotes (Gardiner Brothers, Jessica Soho, José Hernández, and Zico) are already available on demand starting 13 February.

Practical Tips for RootsTech

For In-Person Attendees

• Wear comfortable shoes. I cannot stress this enough. The Salt Palace is enormous, and you will be on your feet far more than you expect. Leave the cute-but-painful shoes at home.

• Bring snacks and a water bottle. Food is available inside the venue and at nearby City Creek Center, but back-to-back sessions can leave you hungry. A granola bar in your

  bag is never a bad idea.

• Pack business cards or a QR code. You will meet people. Lots of people. Having a quick way to exchange contact information means you actually follow up on those connections after the conference.

• Try “Relatives at RootsTech.” This FamilySearch feature scans your Family Tree and compares it with other attendees to find shared ancestors. It is a fun way to make unexpected connections, and people do genuinely discover cousins they never knew they had.

For Virtual Attendees

• Register now (it is free!). Virtual registration at RootsTech.org is completely free and ensures you have full access to livestreamed sessions and on-demand content once the conference begins.

• Build your watch list in advance. The class catalogue is live, and you can create a personalised on-demand watch list at RootsTech.org. Do this before the conference starts so you are not scrambling to find sessions on the day.

• Explore the Virtual Expo Hall. It opens on Thursday at 9:00 AM MST and closes Saturday at 3:00 PM MST. Many vendors offer virtual-exclusive promotions and demos, so it is worth browsing between sessions.

  
  

For Everyone

Family Discovery Day is Saturday, 7 March, and it is free. No RootsTech registration required. If you are local or bringing family along, this is a wonderful day of cultural performances, storytelling, live music, and family-friendly activities. Some sessions will be streamed on RootsTech.org as well.

Come Say Hello!

If you are attending, in person or online, I would love to connect. Come find me after my sessions, flag me down in the hallways, or stop by the Genealogy Genie Booth where I will be a booth assistant. RootsTech is always better when you go into it knowing a few friendly faces.

See you in Salt Lake City!

Citations

“RootsTech 2026,” FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/en/rootstech/ : accessed 8 February 2026).

“Why Attend RootsTech 2026? The Benefits of the World’s Largest Genealogy Conference,” FamilyTreeDNA Blog, 6 February 2026 (https://blog.familytreedna.com/why-attend-rootstech-2026-benefits/ : accessed 8 February 2026).

“Look Who’s Coming to RootsTech 2026: Keynote Speakers Announced!” FamilySearch Blog, 8 January 2026 (https://www.familysearch.org/en/blog/rootstech-2026-keynotes : accessed 8 February 2026).

“Registration Now Open for RootsTech 2026,” Church of Jesus Christ Newsroom, 24 September 2025 (https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/registration-now-open-for-rootstech-2026 : accessed 8 February 2026).