Living DNA Attends Southern California Genealogy Society Conference 2017

With great enthusiasm Living DNA attended and sponsored the 48th Southern California Genealogical Society (SCGS) Jamboree 2017, which was held in Burbank Los Angeles on 8-11 June. The buzz at the event was palpable and the enthusiasm we felt from everyone confirmed the differences and incredible quality of the Living DNA test.

It was really exciting that the first day of the Jamboree was specifically focused on "Diving into DNA" to help attendees to learn more about how DNA testing can adapt and benefit their way of genealogical research. This was the first event we attended where the whole day was focused on DNA and it was incredible the number of peopling packing into lectures and coming to talk with us about the ancestry testing.

This highlighted how far the DNA industry has come within the genealogy market. Around 60% of new customers and genealogy researchers has started through their DNA test and we met some excited people who have never taken a DNA test and began their journey with Living DNA. During the day we sponsored the DNA luncheon with Debbie Kennett who spoke about the ancestry of the British Isles, and whilst only 3 people in the audience lived in the British Isles over 230 had ancestors from there.

On DNA day, Managing Director, David Nicholson and Head of Bioinformatics, Martin Blythe carried out a lecture on how our testing works, and the methods that allow us to deliver the most detail possible. A topic close to our heart is using the power of DNA for true purpose, we presented both on the unique methods that Living DNA use as well as the life changing work we do with our Anti-Racism education projects. The reception was great as so many people connected with what DNA really offers.

The Living DNA team exhibited throughout the weekend, meeting new customers and catching up with old friends within the genealogy community. Everyone enjoyed connecting in the sunshine with the community who we regularly speak with on phones, emails and skype. But there is nothing that beats meeting in person.

We held a small community round table allowing us to talk about the new developments and updates which are due to be released over the next few months. You can now read about our data download feature and new views feature now.

Hannah Modern, Marketing Director says:

Events like the Jamboree are extremely important to us as a brand. It isn’t about us selling kits - it is about us meeting the people and hearing their stories of finding their ancestry and ancestors. We really enjoyed being at this event, and the support we received was second to none.

The SCGS Jamboree reflected to us the growth of the business, and how many people we have met along the way. Being a gold sponsor allowed us to make a larger impact throughout the event while being able to really identify how our positioning and large European-data collection focus benefits the large percentage of North American’s who have European ancestry.

Something that we will take with us is the dedicated of over 200 volunteers who put on the event and enabled it to flow with ease combined with the great support of volunteers who help us at the Living DNA stand as the queues grew longer than we could manage on our own.

It’s with great thanks to everybody who came along to visit us at the Living DNA stand, the SCGS for organising the event as well as all our volunteers who helped promote Living DNA throughout the Jamboree.