Inside the Texas-Sized Meetup That's Reshaping Real Estate

Lucía Torres · 2026-11-02

When you put a bunch of real estate pros from Texas and Oklahoma in one room—especially a room as charming as Hotel Drover in Fort Worth—you're bound to get more than just small talk. That's exactly what happened at In Good Company, a regional gathering hosted by The Agency in October. Agents and managing partners from Austin, Sugar Land, Frisco, Fort Worth, Oklahoma City, Rockwall, Tyler, Tulsa, and Waco all showed up. And they weren't alone. Leaders from The Agency's global network flew in too, turning a regional meetup into a full-blown idea exchange. The goal? Simple. Talk about branding, technology, new development, and the relationships that actually drive business. But the vibe? Pure Texas hospitality—warm, open, and maybe a little boots-and-hats energy. ### More Than Just a Pretty Venue Laura Corrigan, EVP of Marketing & Communications, emceed the day. She kicked things off alongside Mauricio Umansky, The Agency's Founder and CEO. From breakfast through the final panel, the schedule balanced practical insights with plenty of time to connect. Because let's face it: in real estate, relationships are the real currency. ### Building Brands That Stand Out The morning started with Tyler Mount, owner of Henry Street Creative. He's advised nearly 1,000 agents across 14 countries, so he knows a thing or two about standing out. His session dug into building distinctive brands and growing a business in a crowded market. No fluff—just real tactics for getting noticed. Next up: a new development conversation moderated by Laura. The panel featured Greg Zayadi (Principal at rennie), Gus Ruelas (The Agency Pasadena and Austin), and Mike Biryla (The Agency New York). They explored what buyers really want, how developments capture attention, and where agents can add value. The takeaway? The Agency's new development resources and its collaboration with rennie are opening doors—literally and figuratively. ### A Fireside Chat to Remember One of the day's highlights was Mauricio's fireside chat with Derrick Shore. If you don't know Derrick, he's a three-time Emmy Award-winning journalist and cohost of Houston Life on KPRC 2, Houston's NBC station. His career has taken him across five continents, from the Oscars to the White House. Together, they talked about Mauricio's journey, the business, and what's next for The Agency. It felt less like an interview and more like eavesdropping on a great conversation between friends. ### Tech, Strategy, and the Next Generation After lunch, Zane Burnett, EVP of Digital Strategy, took the stage. His session focused on technology, digital strategy, and innovation—increasingly essential tools for agents who want to build their businesses and serve clients better. Then came a panel moderated by Mauricio: "How to Differentiate Yourself as the Next Generation of Real Estate." The lineup included Managing Partners Alison Melton (Hilton Head, Savannah, Beaufort), Zar Zanganeh (Las Vegas, Reno, Incline Village), Lisa Swanson (Florida Keys), and Kristen Muller (Telluride, Colorado). They dug into how specialized expertise, The Agency's brand and marketing, and its global network can help agents stand out in their local markets. Different regions, different perspectives—but a shared belief in the power of collaboration. ### Celebrating in Fort Worth The connections continued that evening at River Ranch Stockyards. Colleagues gathered for The Agency Fort Worth's grand opening celebration. It was the perfect close to a day dedicated to the people, partnerships, and shared ambition behind The Agency's growing presence. So what's the big takeaway? In a business that's often hyper-competitive, taking a day to share ideas and build relationships isn't just nice—it's smart. And if this gathering is any indication, The Agency's collaborative culture is only getting stronger.