NGS 2016 Fort Lauderdale: Pre-Conference

The National Genealogical Society held its annual Family History Conference in beautiful Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Titled, "Exploring the Centuries: Footprints in time", their media team came up with a great logo that just made coming to Florida so tempting.

Awesome logo!

 Besides the beautiful location, the real reason for attending the conference is its array of genealogical classes with an emphasis on researching old Florida and some of the adjacent States – My personal focus – Not to mention the extraordinary talented mass of presenters. I don't like the term "presenter" as much as I like the term "teacher" because they truly "teach" you and help you.

 Monday, 2 May 2016: Traveling by air from San Diego to Fort Lauderdale, with a stop in Houston to change planes and have an early lunch. While at the gate in Houston, my friend Jane Van Tour spotted me and we talked a bit. Then while boarding the plane I was spotted also by Eric & Karen Stoschein!

California friend, Jane Van Tour, in Houston

Arrived in Fort Lauderdale! Jane Van Tour with Eric & Karen Stroschein

 I was picked up at the airport by long-time conference compadre, Marcy Elliott, aka Ghyxion. After a quick check in at the conference hotel, we headed out to dinner at one of South Florida's finest waterfront eateries, 15th. Street Fisheries.

View from my 10th. floor towards the inland Intracoastal Waterway

Dinner with Marcy at 15th. Street Fisheries

View from our table at the restaurant

My room had a direct shot at the conference center

Early evening at the Hilton

Night view from room 1010

 Tuesday, 3 May 2016: Today I spent the day wondering around the hotel area, spotting my first mega yacht, the "Avanti", parked alongside the hotel! Then a quick taxi tour of the inland waterways gasping at the 40 million dollar mansions, before wandering over to the conference center to take a few pictures and pick up my conference materials.

Spotted Drew Smith, Curt Witcher, and George Morgan, in the Hilton lobby before Librarians Day kicked off.

200' Mega-yacht "Avanti" parked at the Hilton

The 151' "Sycara IV" at the Hilton dockside

At the conference center with Sailfish

Sailfish and Crow

Nice house... I mean mansion!

Another one

One of the first houses with original rock

Excuse me while I park my car, I mean boat, at my house... LOL

Awesome sportfisher

We let everyone off so they could board a smaller boat. I decided to come back with the captain

Later, I went back over to the conference center to help SLIG Director, Peg Ivanyo and Stephanie Saylor, set up the SLIG booth. This was the first time that I was allowed behind the scenes at an event, it was fun!

Inside the conference center

Behind the scenes for the first time!

Behind the scenes

Credentials!

Setting up the SLIG booth with Stephanie Saylor & Peg Ivanyo

Ready...

Set...

                             *** Tomorrow the REAL fun begins! ***