Mother-Daughter Guide to 2010 SCGS Jamboree

Mom and I have been on a Genealogy Marathon since her arrival last week, but the main event is yet to come – the 2010 SCGS Jamboree at the Burbank Marriott Convention Center. We like The Rock Star’s Guide and have a few tricks of our own to add. Here’s our Mother-Daughter Guide to the 2010 Jamboree.

Arrive Early

Who doesn’t need a little time to recover from travel fatigue these days? Airports are grueling, and Los Angeles traffic takes getting used to. Even if you can only come into Burbank a few hours early, leave time to decompress and move into conference mode.

Pack Your Daily Conference Bag

Keep it light. You are going to be adding to your load throughout the day, especially after a stroll through the Exhibit Hall. Use a tote to carry paper and pencil, water, energy bar, and syllabus. Wear a light sweater.

Locate a Meet-and-Greet Spot

Once you have picked up your registration materials decide on a Meet-and-Greet location where you can connect between sessions. It should be a place with comfortable seating and a good view of people coming and going. Mom likes to stake out a spot in the main lobby near the information booth and across from the Exhibit Hall. She says it’s a great place to strike up a conversation and hear about classes and research. Last year, Mom spotted one of her Girl Scouts from her Girl Scout Leader days. That was quite a reunion.

Pace Yourself, Give Yourself “Me Time”

Mom and I move at different speeds. We don’t necessarily attend the same lectures or even wander the Exhibit Hall together. It helps to stay at the hotel because naptime is only an elevator ride away. We catch up with each other for meals and breaks, and of course the all-important banquet.

Spend Time Outdoors

By the afternoon, Mom and I are usually ready for a break from the buzz and commotion and find a spot outdoors to relax with a cool drink and a snack. Each year the Marriott seems to have different outside seating available, but last year we enjoyed the breezeway lounge area near the pool. It was a good place to meet other conference attendees, and we hope to catch up with Sheila and her mom and April there again.

Going “Off-Campus”

It really feels like we have been “away” if we don’t have to move the car out of parking lot, but that just doesn’t happen. If we need to leave, it’s a perfect opportunity to bring back lunch for Saturday or Sunday, or even make a quick run to In-N-Out Burgers (just off the 5 Fwy at Burbank Blvd).

Will you be at the 2010 Jamboree? If you see us, please stop and say “Hello.”

P.S. – Be sure to ask Mom for her business card. She has some fun ones with her research surnames.