Friday, May 1, 2015

SCGS Jamboree - Why Go? The Location - That's Why

Blogger Badge


Burbank, California

So few medium or large genealogy conferences are west of the Rocky Mountains. SCGS Jamboree makes it easy for all of us to attend a conference with fantastic speakers and not spend enormous sums of money getting there.

The Bob Hope Airport (Burbank) is across the street from the hotel (Los Angeles Mariott Burbank Airport Hotel) and the convention center. I've been told that the train station is next to the airport and across the street from the hotel and convention center. Interstate 5 (Golden State Freeway) is just east of the hotel and the convention center. So, it's a great location.

The airline that doesn't charge for checked luggage makes numerous flights in and out of the airport. The rates are usually good; the security lines are usually short; and the commute from Jamboree is short (across the street), and inexpensive. (In fact, you could actually walk there if you wanted to.)

I've met many attendees who have taken the train from northern OR southern California. They meet others who are also attending; have no parking fees; and no stressful driving.

What can I say about driving? Well, it's Southern California traffic. Especially on Wednesday or Thursday evening, if that's when you are arriving.

I understand that rooms at the hotel are selling out fast. So if you want to attend, please make your reservations soon. But, the convenience of having the hotel just about 50 feet from the convention center is wonderful. The grassy area between the two buildings usually has lots of round tables with chairs. If you find lots of items in the Vendors area, you can easily take them to your room. If the ladies' restrooms have long lines, you can (fairly) easily run up to your room. And, if you use a cane, walker, wheel chair, or some other mobility device, the "commute" is short and flat. Except for the elevators in the hotel, there are no stairs, escalators, or additional elevators.

So, what more can I say about location? The weather. Warm during the day; cool at night and in the morning. Perhaps a little rain, but usually not for long, and not hard. Many outdoor areas in which to sit and relax, including the space between the buildings, a patio and a pool area in the hotel.

I hope to see you in Burbank in June. I'll be there and I hope you will be also.