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Sunday, February 24, 2013

Conference attendance in my yoga pants and slippers


This weekend was the Family Tree University Winter Virtual Conference, and I attended.  Did you?  

This was my 3rd virtual conference I have attended.  Once again I was impressed by everything.  It seems to get bigger and better each time, and I can’t wait to “see” what is in store at the next one.

For those of you who are thinking “what in the world is she talking about” let me explain the concept of this conference.  It is all ONLINE!  The sessions, by nationally known speakers, are pre-recorded so you can download them and listen to them at your leisure, forever.  There are live chats scheduled over the 3 days on many topics and moderated by a host who guides the conversations.  Then there are the discussion boards.  Lots of topics where the attendees can interact with each other, share information, chat, laugh, and have social time.  Oh, I almost forgot!  There is a swag bag and free give ways too! 

Best of all, this is the first time I have been able to attend the conference without being double booked.  My first conference was the same weekend my mother-in-law came to visit and I took her on my first NARA trip.  Last fall I thought I was going to be able to dedicate the whole weekend but once again I found myself out of town.  Thank goodness they are virtual! 

Of course, the fact that I can spend the whole day in comfy clothes with slippers on curled up with my lap top doing all this is the cherry on top of everything.  My kids think I turned into scary research mommy again since I didn't take the robe and fuzzy PJs off until about 2 pm yesterday.  Which, I traded in on a cardigan and yoga pants. You know, a short robe and clothes you can leave the house in if you have too.

To top off my weekend of genealogical bliss, during this conference I lead a live chat on doing on-site research.  This was the first time I have done anything like this.  Well, I have participated in chats before, but the leading is new.  Even with the butterflies, I think I got the hang of it quickly and kept it going.
I hope everyone enjoyed themselves and had a great time. Not only did I learn a few things, but I hope that the participants learned a few things too.  As well as having a great time of course.

Well, there is still daylight and 2 sessions that I need to “attend” before the conference closes its doors for the weekend.  Here’s to continuing education…

4 comments:

  1. From Family First Blogger to Chat Host - how far you have come so quickly. Congrats!

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    1. Thank you. Not something I would have thought last year!

      However, I think I have finally found a subject that I love, I am passionate about, and I could see doing for the rest of my life. It incorporates a lot of my favorite hobbies and interests so that really helps too.

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  2. Wow! I'm embarrassed to say I haven't heard of this before...I definitely want to make a diary note for next year and participate.

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    1. It is worth checking out. Especially if you can't travel to larger conferences for whatever reason. The price can't be beat, the video sessions are always well done, and the connections you make with other genealogists are wonderful. Hope to see you next time!

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