Fall 2016

LAND / Industry
RLI National
Land Conference
WRITTEN BY LUKE WORRELL
I
have been to Texas countless times. I always enjoy my time
there, especially when visiting my sister and her family down
in Harlingen. My most recent trip was to the REALTORS®
Land Institute’s 2016 National Land Conference in Dallas. I
have visited enough to where I playfully laugh off some of the
“Texas-isms” I am so used to hearing, namely “Everything is
bigger in Texas.” That one came up a lot during the advertising
and early stages of this conference. It wasn’t just a cute saying
however; this time they were serious. Barring an emergency or
the birth of a child (the reason for my 2015 absence) I never miss
the annual National Land Conference. I love my one year old
but thank goodness he isn’t a big brother because the Dallas
conference was a can’t-miss event.
There are many reasons professionals across the country leave
home for a few days in March to attend; I go for two mains
reasons. First of all, the educational value is exceptional. It is
easy to get lost in your own neighborhood sometimes. Traveling
to hear world class speakers, national experts and legislative
representatives is an invaluable experience. Just take a look at
my Saturday schedule to capture a small sample: I started the
day hearing from renowned economist Dr. Mark Dotzour and
Senior Credit Risk Officer of SunTrust Bank, KC Conway. After
participating in a 45 minute Q&A session with both distinguished
speakers, the agenda then provided a wide variety of 45-minute
breakout sessions throughout the day. I was able to get first-hand
information on potential tax reform and how that could affect
agriculture. I learned about “Delaware Statutory Trusts” becoming
a more commonly used method of a 1031 exchange. I was able
to spend some time focusing on our business and heard from
a Public Relations professional and listened to a presentation
on better utilizing technology to brand ourselves and serve our
clientele. I also participated in breakout sessions centered on
networking and collaboration with other firms. This was just one
day! The conference was three days long. I haven’t even talked
about the breakfast round tables, legislative updates straight from
Washington, or the presentations on new technology.
Where else can I glean that much knowledge in three days from that
caliber of sources? I leave the National Land Conference every year
a better land consultant, broker and farm manager. The quality and
depth of the education keeps me coming back year after year.
The other main reason I attend is the people. The opportunity to
gather with accomplished and trusted colleagues is an amazing
experience. The chance to bounce ideas off one another and share
stories and ideas is a monumental learning experience in itself. The
REALTORS® Land Institute is like many organizations in that you get
out what you put in. I have been fortunate to become involved with
the Illinois chapter. I was honored to accept the “National Chapter of
the Year” award on behalf of Illinois (shameless plug for my Illinois
friends). The genuine friendships made and professional networking
is immense within the REALTORS® Land Institute organization. It also
is a valuable resource for my clients. I have a network of trusted and
accredited professionals across the nation who would be happy to
help and assist our clients should their scope expand beyond west
central Illinois. Even if they don’t, I am more equipped than ever to
handle tax reform, 1031 exchanges, legal issues, communication, and
collaborative marketing efforts on their behalf.
It was a memorable and valuable trip. Barring
an unexpected third Worrell baby (my wife,
and proofreader, panicked a little when
she read that!), the 2017 National Land
Conference in Charlotte, North Carolina, from
March 31–April 2 is already on my schedule.
Every year this conference gets better and
better, I simply can’t afford to miss it…and
neither can you!
206