I know. It’s still September. You’re probably thinking about Halloween costumes or beginning to make holiday plans. RootsTech isn’t until March 4–6, 2027, so why think about it now? Because a little planning this fall could make the trip more enjoyable and perhaps more affordable.

The Salt Palace is headed for a major reconstruction

RootsTech 2027 is scheduled for the Salt Palace Convention Center in Salt Lake City, the familiar home of its in-person conference. However the Palace is closing for a full redesign in 2027 and will (hopefully) finish by January 2031. That leaves a big question for future RootsTech conferences: Where will the in-person event go while the Salt Palace is unavailable? RootsTech has not announced those plans yet. They may go somewhere else, or they might go fully virtual as they did during Covid. Right now, we just don’t know.

For now, 2027 looks like the last opportunity to experience RootsTech at the Salt Palace before those changes. If you’ve never attended in person, or you’ve been meaning to return, it may be a good year to see old friends, meet new ones, and enjoy the conference in its familiar setting.

Give your FamilySearch tree some attention

One of my favorite RootsTech activities is finding relatives among the other participants. In 2018, FamilySearch offered a feature called Relatives Around Me that helped people at the conference discover connections. Today, the optional Relatives at RootsTech experience can show connections with other participants, whether they attend in person or online. You join it separately from registering for the conference.

That first year, I had added only a quick, three-generation tree and was disappointed by how few connections appeared. As I added more family members in later years, I found more matches. If this feature appeals to you, take a little time now to check your place in the FamilySearch Family Tree and correct or add what you can. It’s much more pleasant to do that gradually than to rush through it the week before the conference. FamilySearch says it compares up to ten generations of the trees of people who opt in, so connections farther back can matter.

Look at registration, travel, and hotels early

RootsTech registration is open, and early bird pricing is available right now for the in-person conference. A three-day pass is $99, compared with the listed standard price of $129. A one-day pass is $69, compared with $79 at the standard price. Online attendance is free. You can check the current offer on the RootsTech registration page.

I last attended RootsTech in 2025, when my round-trip plane ticket cost $550. A comparable fare I’m seeing now is $775. That’s a good reminder to start watching prices, although of course buying early doesn’t guarantee the lowest fare.

I’m also extremely loyal to the Radisson Hotel Salt Lake City Downtown for one very practical reason: it’s a very short walk to the side door of the Salt Palace. Even when the weather is unpleasant, I can leave my coat in my room, dash over and spend the rest of the day comfortably inside. It’s also great if I’ve forgotten my badge (or anything else) in my room. If you have a hotel you like, check its availability before nearby rooms become harder to find.

March may feel far away, but your future RootsTech self might thank you for doing a little preparation now. Checking travel options, taking advantage of early bird registration, and giving your FamilySearch tree some attention can help you avoid a last-minute scramble. Then, when the conference arrives, you can focus on the fun part: learning something new, catching up with old friends, and perhaps discovering a cousin you never knew you had.