Fun Times at the MyHeritage After-Party!

This year at the RootsTech conference, we did something we’ve never done before: we hosted the first-ever MyHeritage RootsTech After-Party!

The MyHeritage After-Party at the Marriott City Creek Grand Ballroom

The MyHeritage team was joined on Friday, February 6th by friends, partners and geneabloggers for a great night of fun and entertainment. Over 400 guests enjoyed refreshments, fun games and raffle prizes.

The ambiance was set for an amazing night.

Russ Wilding, MyHeritage Chief Content Officer, welcoming the guests.

A big thank you to our friend and geneablogger, Thomas MacEntee of Geneabloggers, who was Master of Ceremonies for the night.

Cornhole (bean bag toss) and giant jenga games were a big hit.

It was a great opportunity for members of the genealogy community to spend time together while having fun, and to get to know some of the MyHeritage Team.

Appetizers were served, along with delicious desserts in martini glasses. People were excited to taste all the different flavors at the Italian soda fountain.

Later in the evening, cheered on by the audience, party guests performed karaoke songs. The night proved that genealogists have musical talent — lots of it! The crowd went wild, and it was an absolute blast.

One of the many highlights of the evening was Thom Reed from FamilySearch’s performance of Will Smith’s “Gettin’ Jiggy with It” with his amazing back-up dancers, the Sistas in Zion.

Other performances included The B-52s’ “Love Shack”, Fleetwood Mac’s “Landslide”, Beyonce’s “If I were a Boy”, and the all-time classic from Queen, “Bohemian Rhapsody”.

The more games the party-goers played and the more songs they sang, the more raffle tickets they earned. There were a number of raffle draws throughout the evening, including the grand prize for one lucky winner: a Kindle Fire.

The photo booth generated some fascinating photos of party-goers in disguise.

Each guest took home a thoughtful party gift — a MyHeritage travel blanket.

The rocking party went long into the night, and everyone was sad to leave.

Part of the MyHeritage team at RootsTech 2016

Here is a selection of more photos from the After-Party:

People were raving about the MyHeritage party for days after the conference. Here are just a few comments:

• Maureen Taylor of The Photo Detective: “Thank you for the wonderful party! MyHeritage thinks outside the box.”
• Thomas MacEntee of Genealoggers: “Great photos from the MyHeritage RootsTech After Party on Friday – thanks to Gilad Japhet, Aaron Godfrey, Mark Olsen and the rest of MyHeritage for a great time!”
• Janet Hovorka of Family ChartMasters: “We had such a fun time. Thanks for the great party. Your unique approach to this and everything MyHeritage does is just what genealogy needs.”
• Tamu Smith and Zandra Vranes of Sistas in Zion: “Whoever says people past a certain age can’t party ain’t never been to a MyHeritage party!”
• Conference Keeper: “Genealogists sure know how to party!!!”

We had a great time with friends at the MyHeritage After-Party, and we can’t wait for RootsTech 2017!