More than 433,000 family history enthusiasts are already prepared to participate in RootsTech Connect 2021, many for the very first time, making this the largest gathering in the event’s 10-year history. Will you join them?
FamilySearch usually hosts RootsTech in-person in downtown Salt Lake City, Utah, at the end of February, but the annual gathering is all-virtual for the first time because of COVID-19. Attendees also will be able to join the nearly 2,000 live and on-demand sessions at no cost — another first. The virtual conference runs Thursday through Saturday, February 25–27, 2021.
Presenters
Some well-known entertainers and sports figures are among this year’s keynote speakers who will share their family stories with the global audience. Senior leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are again participating in this year’s event.
RootsTech Connect keynote speakers include Erick Avari, Bruna Benites, bless4, Will Hopoate, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Francesco Lotoro, Diego Lugano, Sharon Leslie Morgan, Lorena Ochoa, Sunetra Sarker, Tita (Milton Queiroz da Paixão), Astrid Tuminez, and Nick Vujicic.
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and Sister Patricia Holland are the featured speakers at Family Discovery Day on February 27, 2021. The broadcast begins at noon (mountain standard time).
Presentations from over 1,000 other speakers and presenters will originate from locations around the world and will be available in 11 languages on ChurchofJesusChrist.org, YouTube, the Latter-day Saints Channel and other media. Watch any of the offerings live or view recorded broadcasts later on-demand.
Virtual Expo Hall
Companies and vendors from around the world are helping users make personal and family discoveries through an interactive, virtual expo hall experience. Users can see the latest in new product demonstrations in a virtual demo theater, get hands-on instruction and receive personal assistance.
Discovery
Participants will be able to explore other cultures through the eyes of locals. Attendees from around the world have submitted personal videos depicting celebrations of their heritage with foods, local sights, cultural dances, and other fun traditions and holiday celebrations. Special content is also planned for youth and young adults.
History
RootsTech began in 2011 to create a forum to unite innovators of family and family history-related technologies with potential audiences for those tech products and services. The first year drew 3,000 attendees. By 2020, the popular international event had grown to more than 25,000 in-person attendees and over 50,000 online viewers. Organizers attribute its success to the popularity of consumer DNA, new innovative technologies, a proliferation of mobile devices, and exponential access to online historical records.
For more information on how you can join in, visit rootstech.org.
