If it's June, it must be Jamboree Time

Well, it's almost June for those of us who have planned our genealogical research and conference year.

The annual Jamboree is sponsored by the Southern California Genealogical Society (SCGS) in Burbank, California.  This year it will be held June 6-8 with a pre-conference seminar on June 5 on Family History and DNA.  I'll be there!  SCGS is celebrating its 50th anniversary during the conference with all sorts of events scheduled including a "Dress Like the 60s Day".  Hmm, do I still have my tie-dye shirt?

Information Links

• Jamboree Blog - conference update page
• Jamboree Welcome - conference attendance links
• SCGS Website - society homepage  

The Speakers
Looking over the schedule of classes, I see that several of my favorite speakers will be there - Thomas MacEntee, John Philip Colletta, Judy G. Russell just to name a few.  I also like to listen to "new" speakers even if I think I know the subject.  Speakers have their own approach to a topic and more often than not I learn several new research angles.

Reunions with Friends
Jamboree time is great for reuniting with genea friends I've met along the conference trail, including a cruise.  I'm looking forward to seeing Thomas, Gloria, Katherine, Ron, Sandi, and Beth.

Eat and Meet Time
Luncheons and banquets are a great place to meet new friends from around the country and world even. Not only do you get to hear a great speaker but just visiting with people at your table is informative.   Heck, I was talking to someone outside a meeting room at a conference and discovered that we shared ancestry with the Thomas Cresap line!

Give Back
I'll be volunteering at Jamboree again this year.  Last year I was one of the room monitors - a great way to ensure a seat, especially at those full-to-capacity sessions of which there are many.

My Tips

• Come to the Jamboree, great conference and hotel arrangement with easy airport access if needed
• Attend a luncheon and/or banquet.  Have a tasty meal, meet new friends and listen to a good speaker. Avoid the long lines at the snack wagon.
• Strike up a conversation with people.  They may be your cousin. They may know of a research repository off the beaten track.
• Arrive early at your must-attend sessions.  They may be high priority for many others as well.
• Cruise the Exhibit Hall more than once.  I like to break it up into sections because I usually have small chunks of time to go there.  Go to your must-see exhibitors first.
• Make a list of resources you already have so you don't buy duplicates.  (Lesson learned!)
• Bring small stick-on address labels to put on your winning door prize tickets.
• Dress in layers.
• Thank people.  Paula and Leo for a great show.  The speakers.  The volunteers. 
• Have fun!

What are your tips for Jamboree or other conferences?