How to Prepare for RootsTech: A Practical Guide

The 2026 RootsTech Conference is almost here. 😊

Whether you are traveling to Salt Lake City or planning to attend from home, it’s easy to feel unprepared before the conference even begins.

The schedule is full.
Announcements are rolling out.
Social media is buzzing with excitement.

If you’re thinking, “I should have done more to get ready,” take a breath.

You don’t need a complicated system or a last-minute printable planner. You need clarity, a little preparation, and a simple plan that helps you focus on what matters most.

Here’s how to prepare for RootsTech intentionally, even if the conference starts this week.

Start With A Clear Goal

Before opening the session catalog again, ask yourself one question: “What do I want from this conference?”

Not what looks interesting. Not what everyone else is talking about. What YOU need right now.

You might be trying to break through a brick wall in your research. You may want to better understand your DNA results. Perhaps you’re hoping to learn about a new record set or improve your research skills.

Choose one primary goal.

When everything feels important, nothing truly is. A clear focus will guide which sessions you attend, which vendors you visit, and which conversations you prioritize.

RootsTech offers an enormous opportunity. A single clear objective helps you turn that opportunity into progress.

Trim Your Schedule

RootsTech offers hundreds of sessions. That abundance is exciting, but it can quickly become overwhelming. Instead of adding more sessions to your calendar, begin by subtracting.

Review what you have selected and ask whether each session supports your primary goal. Consider whether you have filled every hour from morning to evening without allowing yourself time to think (or eat).

If you’re attending in person, pay attention to which sessions are being recorded and which are not. Prioritize sessions that will not be recorded, since you won’t have another opportunity to see them. Recorded sessions can often be watched later when you return home. This simple strategy frees you from trying to attend everything live and allows you to be fully present in the room. Five thoughtfully attended sessions are more valuable than twenty passively attended.

As you finalize your schedule, take a moment to visit the page for each session that interests you and download the syllabus, if available. Many speakers share detailed outlines, resource lists, link lists, and even their PowerPoint slides in advance. Having the syllabus saved to your device means you can focus on listening rather than trying to capture every detail. It also gives you a helpful reference when you review your notes after the conference.

If you are attending virtually, remember that many sessions remain available after the conference. You don’t need to watch everything live.

Download and Set Up the RootsTech Mobile App

Attending in person? The RootsTech mobile app is essential.

If you used the app last year, make sure it is updated for 2026 (simply open the app and download the new content). If you’re new to RootsTech, download the app before you travel and take time to explore it.

Inside the app, you can browse sessions, build your personal schedule, bookmark lectures and events, view maps of the convention center, locate Expo Hall vendors, and connect with friends. It helps you move intentionally rather than reactively.

The app includes your personal QR code, which in-person attendees use to check in at the conference. Having that QR code ready on your phone will make the registration process smooth and stress-free. Before you leave home, confirm that the app is up to date, that you are logged in, and that your QR code is easily accessible.

Ten minutes with the app before the conference begins will save you time and confusion once it starts.

Prepare Your Research Before You Go

It’s tempting to treat RootsTech as pure inspiration. You attend sessions, collect ideas, and feel energized. But you will gain much more if you arrive with a clear understanding of your current research questions.

Before the conference begins, review your family tree. Identify one specific problem you are trying to solve. It might be a missing maiden name, a confusing migration pattern, or a record you have not yet located. Write it down.

Then consider what would help you move forward. Do you need to understand a particular record type? Do you need better research strategies? Are you unsure how to analyze conflicting evidence? When you attend sessions, listen through the lens of that question. Even a presentation that is not directly related to your ancestry may spark an idea that applies to your situation.

If you plan to visit the FamilySearch Library while you are in Salt Lake City, preparation becomes even more important. During RootsTech week, the library is busy. Seating can be limited. Access to staff assistance may require waiting. You do not want to spend your precious research time deciding what to look for.

Before you arrive, make a short research plan. Identify specific records you want to search. Note the names, dates, and locations you will need. Save relevant digital images to your device or cloud storage so you can reference them quickly. Check the library catalog online in advance to see whether the materials you need are available. A focused plan helps you make the most of your time, especially when the building is crowded.

If you are attending virtually, keep your research notes open beside you. When an idea strikes, connect it immediately to your own family and capture the next step.

RootsTech is full of information. Preparing your research in advance helps you turn information into progress.

What to Wear at RootsTech

Early March in Salt Lake City sits between winter and spring. Daytime temperatures often reach the mid-50s, while evenings may dip into the 30s. The air is dry, and the wind between buildings can make it feel even colder.

RootsTech is generally business casual. Dress in a way that feels comfortable and reflects who you are, but prioritize endurance over fashion.

Layers are important. A comfortable base, such as a knit top or blouse, works well under a cardigan or sweater. Bring a proper coat for outdoors. You may need to walk several blocks between your hotel and the Salt Palace Convention Center, and mornings can be brisk. Once inside, temperatures vary (the Expo Hall is almost always cold). Layers let you adjust easily.

Shoes matter more than style. You will walk long corridors, stand in lines, and possibly spend hours on your feet. Choose supportive, broken-in shoes with closed toes. If rain or lingering winter weather is possible, traction matters.

Small items make a difference. Gloves and a scarf add warmth. Sunglasses are useful in bright mountain light. Lip balm and hand lotion are essential in dry Utah air.

Visit the Expo Hall With a Plan

The Expo Hall is one of the most dynamic parts of RootsTech. It’s also easy to wander without direction. Before you step inside, decide what you are looking for.

Are you curious about a specific DNA testing company? Looking for discounted subscription services? Interested in scanning tools or preservation products? Do you have a question about software you already use? Write down two or three questions. Vendors are most helpful when you can say, “Here is what I’m trying to do. What would you recommend?”

Use the conference app to note which booths you want to visit. Check the map so you can move efficiently rather than circling the floor repeatedly. Give yourself enough time to explore without rushing. You don’t need to visit every booth. Focus on companies and organizations that align with your research goals.

And don’t overlook smaller exhibitors. Some of the most useful conversations happen at less crowded booths.

If you collect brochures or business cards, review them within a week of returning home. Decide what is worth following up on before the information disappears into a stack of paper.

The Expo Hall is not just for browsing. It is an opportunity to solve problems.

Attending Virtually?

RootsTech’s virtual experience allows you to participate from anywhere and revisit sessions later. That flexibility is a gift.

Virtual participation, however, requires intention.

Block time on your calendar as if you were physically attending. Close unnecessary browser tabs and silence notifications. Let others in your household know when you are in a session.

Test your technology in advance. Update your browser and log in early on the first day.

Be mindful of screen fatigue. Schedule short breaks between sessions. Stand up, move, eat, and drink water.

Finally, decide what you will do with what you learn. Choose one or two sessions to implement right away and schedule time to review your notes. Learning without action fades quickly.

Common RootsTech Mistakes to Avoid

Overscheduling is one of the most common mistakes. Filling every hour can lead to exhaustion and minimal retention. Build white space into your day.

Another mistake is comparing your experience to others. Social media highlights packed rooms and big announcements. Your conference does not need to look impressive to be meaningful.

Some attendees skip the Expo Hall entirely, while others never leave it. Approach it with intention.

Finally, don’t forget to follow up. Within a week of returning home, connect with the people you met and review what you learned.

Wrap Up

RootsTech does not reward the busiest attendee. It rewards the most intentional one.

You don’t need to attend every session.
You don’t need to meet everyone.
You don’t need to master every new tool.

You need one insight that moves your research forward. One connection that strengthens your understanding. One next step that carries your research into the months ahead.

And that’s enough.

This post contains affiliate links. I may receive a small commission if you choose to make a purchase, but it does not add anything extra to the price you pay. For more, please read my full Disclosure Statement. I appreciate your support! 

As a RootsTech Influencer, I may have received various material and non-material promotional items; however, opinions about the conference are my own.

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