Another reason I want to go to FGS 2013 is that they have special events for FGS delegates and a whole day devoted to
providing information and ideas to help genealogical societies grow and succeed. As an FGS delegate for 7 years, a genealogical society officer for 13 years, and a society volunteer for 15 years, I'm looking forward to the Focus on Societies on Wednesday.
In addition to learning from the cream of the crop, I love to go to the vendors' area. There you can find a huge selection of books, the latest software, and every product related to genealogy. An advantage of shopping in the vendors' area is that you get great bargains during the conference. Many of the vendors have special sale prices and there's no shipping and handling fees to pay as there are when you normally order this merchandise. I come home from every conference loaded down with goodies. Another neat thing is that if you buy a book at the conference, chances are that the author is one of the speakers and you can get your book autographed.
I'm looking forward to going to FGS 2013 because it is a huge gathering of people who all love genealogy and family history. There are no strangers, just other genealogists who you haven't met yet. I love talking in person to people who I've only previously connected with online and meeting up with old friends and acquaintances who I rarely get to visit except at genealogical events.
I'm also looking forward to going to FGS 2013 because it's in Ft. Wayne, Indiana. Ft. Wayne is the ideal place to hold a conference or any other kind of genealogical event. I doubt if you need to ask why. Because the Genealogical Center in the Allen County Library is fabulous and it's right across the street for the conference center. The conference hotels are all in this area also. How much closer to perfect can it get?
Hope you're going and hope to see you there!