You won’t want to miss this year’s Innovator Summit

Innovator Summit focuses on expanding technology and business opportunities that leverage family history data. This event is on Wednesday, February 11, 2015 at the Salt Palace Convention Center, Salt Lake City, Utah. Held the day before RootsTech, the world’s largest family history and technology conference, Innovator Summit is a venue for software developers, entrepreneurs, tech company employees, and business leaders to learn, and discuss technology advancements and opportunities in the family history industry.

Click the Read more button to see the six reasons you’ll want to join us this year.

1. Learn “The Innovator’s Method” from Keynote Speaker Nathan Furr, Ph.D. 

Dr. Furr literally wrote the book on this topic! It’s called “The Innovator’s Method” and he’ll be teaching how to decrease risk in bringing ideas to market. In addition, Eric Shoup, Chief Product Officer with Ancestry.com, will help kick off the day.

2. Hear From App Creators Competing in the $25,000 Innovator Challenge 

This year, we increased the reward from previous developer challenges with a $25,000 purse. Last year, 51 teams entered apps in our Innovator Challenge. Eight semifinal teams will showcase their ideas during lunch at Innovator Summit. Only four will be selected as finalists to go to the Innovator Showdown event on Friday, February 13. Sit back, grab your lunch, and check out these innovative ideas. See who may walk away with the grand prize!

3. Attend Classes That Educate and Inspire 

From successful tech company CEOs, to well-known developers in the family history market, to startup consultants and investors, we’ve got more than 20 fast-paced classes that will both educate and inspire. Download the RootsTech mobile app to see details on the full line up and to create a custom schedule

4. Strengthen Connections to Seize New Opportunities

Wrap up the day of Innovator Summit classes with networking opportunities, make new friends, and enjoy light appetizers starting 5:15 p.m. You will interact with other innovators and hear from executives from Ancestry.com, the Innovator Summit sponsor.

5. Test Your Hacking Skills

New this year to Innovator Summit is an evening hack-a-thon. FamilySearch’s partner certification guru, Gordon Clarke, has some exciting projects to work on. Come join us and a few of your developer friends to see if you have what it takes to code solutions in four hours or less. The fun starts at 7:00 p.m.

6. Shape the Future of Family History Technology 

Join us at Innovator Summit and add your voice to many who have ideas, skills, and resources to make a step-change in the family history industry. This event isn’t the beginning nor the end. We’d love to stay connected with you as we seek to influence the next round of innovations. We’ve created a LinkedIn group called Roots Innovators to keep the conversation going. We’ll be able to keep you informed of future events, contests, webinars, and training, all aimed at expanding your impact on family history technology.

Joining us for Innovator Summit is easy. Simply click the “Register Now” button to get started.