FGS/AGS Conference at Little Rock

The Little Rock Statehouse Convention Center was buzzing with activity from September 2nd through September 5th, 2009. The hundreds and hundreds of avid genealogists were scurrying in and out of excellent presentations in an effort to hone their skills in this growing field. It would be unfair to try naming all the speakers and presenters. All the way from the Professional Management Conference on Wednesday through the final presentation on Saturday afternoon everyone was trying to get in that last minute presentation.

I was doing my duty as vendor booth manager for the Association of Professional Genealogists. This gave me an opportunity to meet new friends and give them information about APG and how they could become affiliated with the more than 1800 members worldwide. During this FGS Conference the APG organization gained 8 new members and received 3 membership renewals. At the suggestion of our Executive Director, Kathleen W. Hinckley CG, she brought a few dozen of the back-issues of the APG Quarterly to display and sell. This first time venture turned out to be a positive part of the booth in that we sold 40 copies to attendees.
The conference was our first opportunity to display the new APG banner behind our booth. It was a donation from the APG Florida Chapter. The colors blended very well with the booth colors of gold and black.
This particular conference was a time to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the founding of the Association of Professional Genealogists. This was done very fittingly by a gathering of members and visitors on Tuesday evening following the annual roundtable meeting. A cake was cut and cookies were served along with appropriate beverages. A good time was had by all.

It is with great appreciation I wish to say "Thank You" to the more than two dozen volunteer members of APG who supported staffing the booth. This successful stay in Little Rock could not have happened without their capable assistance.
Now we have to set our sights on the annual National Genealogical Conference (NGS) which will be held in Salt Lake City, Utah beginning April 28th and continuing through May 1st, 2010 at the Salt Palace Convention Center. We will be looking for bigger and better inovations to be introduced at Salt Lake City.
Come by the booth and give us a big handshake and introduce yourself.