Las Vegas Here We Come!

Ready or not Vegas, here come the genealogists. We will be arriving by car, train, and airplane from all over the United States and even a few from International destinations.  And we are ready to tour, learn, network, and socialize.

Weather
It's been a crazy spring here in the Rockies (I live in Colorado) with lots of winter weather. So I can't wait to get to the warm weather in Las Vegas.

Here is a snap shot of the weather in Las Vegas this week. Be sure to carry a sweater or jacket for indoor but you won't need it outside. Check http://www.weather.com/ for updates.

LAS VEGAS WEATHER

Clothing
Dress in layers. Most likely, some areas of lecture rooms, or the exhibit hall, will be cold – other areas will be warm. Wear comfortable shoes and clothing. You will do lots of walking as well as sitting. Those going to the banquet, will find there is a wide range of attire; formal dress is not necessary.

Where to eat?
In addition to luncheons, there will be a concession stand in the foyer outside the exhibit hall. The LVH has a variety of restaurants for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Check the conference app for additional information.

Safe travels, see you all in a few days!

Las Vegas Here We Come!

The 48 Hour Ephemera Challenge Is Going to NGS 2013 in Vegas!

By Caroline Pointer

The 48 Hour Ephemera Challenge is a forum of researchers from, at times, around the world who gather online together to find the story, or stories, behind a piece of ephemera within 48 hours using their experience, expertise, problem-solving skills, and online resources. Each weekend the forum is challenged to place the people mentioned in the ephemera back into history where they belong in hopes of returning the ephemera back to the family where it belongs.

Therefore, as Ephemera Whisperers, we are very honored and excited to be invited to the National Genealogical Society's 2013 Conference, Building New Bridges, as that is exactly what we try to do–help families build a bridge to their own personal history with ephemera.

There will be three 48 Hour Ephemera Challenges the week of the conference, and they will be hosted in the Internet Cafe which is being graciously provided by the National Genealogical Society, FamilySearch, and Findmypast.com for all conference-goers to use. All those attending the conference as well as people at home are welcome to join the challenge as we collaborate online to solve the challenges.

All three challenges will either be Las Vegas-related or Nevada-related with the first one beginning Tuesday evening, the second one beginning Wednesday evening, and the third one beginning Thursday evening. Each challenge will last for 48 hours with the last one ending on Saturday. With your help, can the Ephemera Whisperers put these people back into history where they belong–in 48 hours? There is only one way to find out, and you have just been challenged!

For more information, please visit the 48 Hour Ephemera Challenge Forum or contact Caroline Pointer at cmpointer at gmail.com.

The 48 Hour Ephemera Challenge Is Going to NGS 2013 in Vegas!

Entertainment at the LVH

After a long day of learning, it’s time to relax. And there are lots of options at the Las Vegas Hotel (LVH).

Try Cool by the Pool Happy Hour. It’s free, it’s daily, and for LVH guests and locals, it’s 2 for 1 drinks. Happy Hour is from 4 p.m.–8 p.m. on the 3rd floor pool deck.  There’s even a live DJ!

Ready for some rock?

Rock the Vault is the story of classic rock with the music of the Rolling Stones, the Who, Eagles, and many others.  The show is in the LVH Theater every night except Friday at 8 p.m.

Or perhaps you like Elvis. Trent Carlini, a nationally recognized Elvis impersonator provides a retrospective of Elvis’ career in the Shimmer Cabaret every night but Tuesday. Show starts at 6:30 p.m.

In the Shimmer Cabaret is Comedy After Dark, Wednesday through Sunday. Show starts at 10 p.m.

How about reliving the good old days with the Rat Pack on Tuesdays? These performers bring back the golden age of Las Vegas. Show starts at 6:30 p.m. in the Shimmer Cabaret.

Also performing regularly, at various days and times, are guitarist Estovon and funny man Rich Little. Check the schedule with the concierge.

Tickets can be purchased right up to the night of the performance. Prices vary, so check the schedule.

Thanks to Betteann Myers, Publicity Chair, Local Host Committee

Entertainment at the LVH

NGS Social Media Policy

National Genealogical Society Social Media Policy
Except by specific prior written permission, NGS does not permit the recording of presentations at the NGS Family History Conference under any circumstances or in any form or media, including but not limited to audio recordings, still photography, video recordings, or literal transcripts. (JAMB, Inc. contracts with NGS to audio record the lectures of speakers who provide their written consent to be recorded. CDs may be purchased at the conference or ordered after the conference for $12 per CD.)
NGS permits and encourages the use of social media, such as Facebook, Twitter, Google+, and blogging at the conference as a way to summarize, highlight, excerpt, review, critique, and/or promote the presented materials, syllabus materials, or the conference in general, provided that

1.    copyright law is observed
2.    verbatim information is limited to a few quotes, and
3.    the author or speaker is referenced and cited appropriately.

Please keep in mind that our presenters have invested many hours in the development of this material and copyright laws apply.

Out of respect for the other participants, we ask that noise-making electronic devices be silenced, though they need not be turned off, so that they may be used to follow along in the syllabus, tweet, or take notes in accordance with the above stated social media policy.

We encourage participants in the conference to:

• Follow us on Twitter (@ngsgenealogy).
• Friend us on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/ngsgenealogy).
• Subscribe to the NGS conference blog at http://conference.ngsgenealogy.org.
• Send us a tweet @ngsgenealogy for general information or use the hashtag #ngs2013 for Annual Conference-related tweets.
• Blog, post, and tweet about what you are hearing and seeing at the conference (highlighting or commenting on, but not sharing in detail, any of the material presented).
• Suggest sessions to attend and luncheons to enjoy; chat about products and services in the Exhibit Hall.
• Feel free to take and share photographs at any time in the Exhibit Hall.
• Request the permission of speakers if you would like to take their photograph directly before or after a session. (Unless you are an official NGS photographer, please obtain the permission of the speaker before taking pictures, and please take photographs only before a session starts, or after it concludes.)
• Provide feedback to NGS staff and the Program Committee. (For example, you could discuss topics of interest and/or speakers for next year's conference, make suggestions for sessions, or comment on the conference format.)
• Keep criticism constructive.

We request that participants in the conference refrain from:

• Using audio and/or video recording devices. These are strictly prohibited in sessions and in the Exhibit Hall, except in the interview area or by prior written agreement.
• Using photographic devices during sessions. 
• Using photographic devices in the session rooms without permission of the speaker. 
• Capturing, transmitting, or redistributing syllabus materials or the bulk of the material presented in a session. Doing so infringes on the intellectual property rights of the speakers.
• Engaging in rudeness or personal attacks.  

Questions? Contact the NGS Conference Manager at conference@ngsgenealogy.org or refer to FAQs. 

NGS Social Media Policy

Special Youth Camp During the Conference

The NGS 2013 Family History Conference will again feature a Genealogy Youth Camp. It will take place on Saturday, 11 May 2013 at the Las Vegas Hotel and Casino Conference Center from 8:30 a.m. until 12:00 noon. The Camp, designed to develop an understanding of family history, is intended for youth 8 to 16 years old.  Scouts are encouraged to participate in the event with their leaders. 

This is the fourth year that NGS has offered this outstanding program for youth. The morning will be composed of a variety of hands-on activities including a workshop focusing on genealogical merit badges.

The Genealogy Youth Camp is free but registration is required. Go to http://www.ngsgenealogy.org/cs/attendee_registration to register. 

If you are attending the conference and see kids roaming the exhibit hall Saturday afternoon, please welcome them. They are the genealogist of tomorrow!

Special Youth Camp During the Conference

The Forget-Me-Not-Hour Radio Show LIVE from the NGS Conference

Jane E. Wilcox, host of The Forget-Me-Not Hour: Your Ancestors Want Their Stories to Be Told radio show, welcomes Julie Miller, CG^SM, Vice President of NGS, live from the NGS 2013 Family History Conference in Las Vegas on Saturday, 11 May from 11:00 a.m. to 12 noon, Pacific time.

Julie will share the highlights of this year's conference–including the speakers and their presentations, the off-site activities, and the exhibitors. Find out who won the NGS writing awards and more. Join us!

If technology permits, we'll be broadcasting from the NGS booth at the exhibit hall. Stop by and wave.

Catch the show as it airs live or on-demand afterward: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/janeewilcox/2013/05/11/ngs-las-vegas-recap-with-julie-miller.

The Forget-Me-Not-Hour Radio Show LIVE from the NGS Conference

Drink Lots of Water in Las Vegas

Most people know what a desert is, and most people know that Las Vegas is in a desert.

But many first-time visitors to Las Vegas don’t know what it means to them that Las Vegas is in the desert.

• It means they’re unlikely to encounter bad weather, because Las Vegas averages only about four inches of rain per year.
   
• It means that the sun shines brightly most days, so it is wise to wear a hat and sunscreen.
   
• It means that most Las Vegas buildings are nearly always overly air conditioned (and cold), so they need to bring a jacket and sweater and dress in layers.

Most importantly, it means that they need to drink water. Lots of water. In Las Vegas’s desert climate the human body’s cooling system works overtime. Because visitors don’t feel themselves perspiring, they forget to drink enough water to stay hydrated. Also, people who are on vacation tend to sleep too little and consume salty foods, caffeine, and alcohol—all of which contribute to dehydration.

Many genealogists consider caffeine an essential food group, especially when they are sleep-deprived at a conference. NGS and the LVH are providing free water stations in every lecture room. These will be replenished throughout the day, so attendees will have a ready supply of fresh water at every session. All restaurants offer free water and the food concessions sell bottled water.

The Southern Nevada Health District suggests drinking one full glass of water per hour to avoid dehydration while visiting. NGS and the LVH ask you to take advantage of the free and plentiful water provided so you can stay healthy and enjoy the conference and Las Vegas!

For more information visit the Southern Nevada Health District http://www.southernnevadahealthdistrict.org/health-topics/visitors-health.php

Thanks to Stefani Evans, Conference Chair, for this important advise.

Drink Lots of Water in Las Vegas