What To Pack for Rootstech 2014?

The annual Rootstech 2014 Conference is quickly approaching, and I am getting very excited!! How about you?

And I'm also wondering what I'm going to pack for February in Salt Lake City, Utah. Are you? Well, I thought I'd put together a list [I seem to like those, no?] of what some Geneabloggers have written before on what they packed or what you and I should pack. And some were written after the conference giving a good perspective on what they'd learned on what to bring and what not to bring. [Most are from years past. Also, keep in mind last year's Rootstech 2013 was in March, but Rootstech 2012 was in February.]

Then I added a few items from my experience. And then I added some handy dandy Rootstech links for you at the end. So here goes...

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What to bring...

• Prepare Before Attending a Genealogy Conference [Sue on Granite Genealogy]
• On the Road to Rootstech 2012! [Liz on The Ancestral Archaeologist]
• Preparing for Rootstech 2012 [Elyse's Genealogy Blog]
• Road Trip to Rootstech - The Countdown Begins [Lynn on The Armchair Genealogist]
• Six Lessons from Rootstech 2012 [Nancy on Gathering Stories]
• Rootstech - the first day dawns [Audrey on The Family Recorder]
• Discoveries from Rootstech 2013 [Heather on Nutfield Genealogy]
• Rootstech 2013: Did I pass? [Nancy on Gathering Stories]

My few additions...

• Portable battery charger. I have the IO GearPower Ultra-Capacity Mobile Power one. It has 2 USB ports with 1A & 2.1A so I can charge up my iPad too. But? Here's a recent review of portable battery chargers on TechRadar.
• Portable Surge Protector. If you have a lot of tech stuff that needs to charge overnight [and especially if you're rooming with someone else], these little guys come in handy because there is never enough outlets in the hotel rooms. I have a Belkin Surge Plus 3 Outlet Mini Travel Swivel  Charger Surge Protector with 2 USB ports that I bought on Amazon. [That, BTW, is NOT an affiliate link, but it is a link to the one I bought on Amazon.]
• Different Bag. I know everyone mentioned it in their blog posts above, but I cannot stress this enough. There will be a gazillion people there who have all been given the same bag as you at registration. You definitely want to stand out in the crowd when it comes to the bag you use to carry your stuff around in. [Use the awesome one you get, though, at a different conference and at libraries, courthouses, and archives. Oh my!]
• Social Media Avatar. I'm terrible with names, but pretty good with faces. [Unless you're like Kathleen Brandt and change your hair up on me daily. I think she does that on purpose.] Oh, and I'm terrible with names unless you're dead. Then, I'll remember everything about you. [Funny but true.] SO help me and others out. Print a small version of the social media avatar that you use and attach it [somehow] to your name tag that you'll get at registration. This way people you've "met" and networked with online can easily recognize you. Why not you're photo? Well, because if your avatar on Facebook is usually a pic of your cat or dog, then a pic of you is not going to do anyone any favors. 

Handy Rootstech Links

• Here's the weather forecast for Salt Lake City, Utah, in February on AccuWeather.com
• Map of Salt Lake City, Utah, from Google Maps.
• RootsTech2014 iOS App
• Rootstech Android App
• Rootstech 2014 Registration
• Rootstech 2014 Schedule
• Rootstech ExpoHall
• Salt Palace Convention Center Map & Venue Information
• Rootstech Facebook Page
• Rootstech on Twitter [@RootstechConf]
• The Official Rootstech 2014 Flipboard Magazine

Your Turn

What would you add? Let everyone know in comments below.

Happy Researching [and Packing]!
~Caroline
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