Six years ago, I started attending RootsTech virtually. I haven’t looked back. With nearly 300 sessions completed, I’ve learned that virtual attendance isn’t a consolation prize — it’s a legitimate, powerful way to engage with the world’s largest genealogy conference. This year, attending RootsTech 2026 virtually is my deliberate, strategic choice, driven by my commitment to the NGS Advanced Genealogy Certificate Course, the OGS conference already on my calendar, family commitments close to home, and a preparation system I’ve refined over six years. In this post, I’m sharing exactly how I build my schedule, how I choose sessions based on my 2026 research goals, and why I’ve made peace with the trade-off. Come ride along with me.