Inside The Agency's Texas-Oklahoma Meetup: What You Missed

Lucía Torres · 2026-11-02

Big ideas, real connections, and a whole lot of Texas hospitality. That's what brought The Agency family together for In Good Company, a regional gathering at Hotel Drover in Fort Worth this October. Colleagues from across Texas and Oklahoma mingled with leaders from The Agency's global network for a day packed with conversations about branding, technology, new development, and the relationships that drive our business. The event united teams from Austin, Sugar Land, Frisco, Fort Worth, Oklahoma City, Rockwall, Tyler, Tulsa, and Waco. Managing partners and agents from different markets swapped perspectives, strengthened referral relationships, and put The Agency's collaborative culture into practice. It was the kind of day that reminds you why you love this business. Laura Corrigan, EVP of Marketing & Communications, emceed the program and welcomed attendees alongside Founder and CEO Mauricio Umansky. From breakfast and networking through the final panel, the day balanced practical business insights with plenty of opportunities to connect. ### Building Brands and Exploring New Opportunities The morning kicked off with Tyler Mount, owner of Henry Street Creative and a real estate branding and digital strategy expert who's advised nearly 1,000 agents across 14 countries. His session focused on building distinctive brands and growing your business in an increasingly competitive landscape. Tyler's advice? Stand out or fade out. Next, Laura moderated a new development conversation featuring Greg Zayadi, Principal at rennie; Gus Ruelas of The Agency Pasadena and Austin; and Mike Biryla of The Agency New York. The panel explored what buyers are looking for, how developments capture their attention, and where agents can add value. They also highlighted the opportunities available through The Agency's new development resources and its collaboration with rennie. ### A Conversation with Mauricio and Derrick Shore A highlight of the day was Mauricio's fireside chat with Derrick Shore, the three-time Emmy Award-winning journalist and cohost of Houston Life on KPRC 2, Houston's NBC station. With a reporting career spanning five continents and assignments ranging from the Oscars to the White House, Derrick brought his experience and curiosity to a conversation about Mauricio's journey, the business, and what lies ahead for The Agency. It was candid, engaging, and gave attendees a rare chance to hear directly from the company's founder. ### Looking Ahead to the Next Generation of Real Estate After lunch, Zane Burnett, The Agency's EVP of Digital Strategy, took the stage for a session on technology, digital strategy, and innovation—an increasingly essential part of how agents build their businesses and serve clients. Zane's message was clear: embrace the tools or get left behind. The afternoon continued with "How to Differentiate Yourself as the Next Generation of Real Estate," moderated by Mauricio. The panel brought together Managing Partners Alison Melton from Hilton Head, Savannah, and Beaufort; Zar Zanganeh from Las Vegas, Reno, and Incline Village; Lisa Swanson from the Florida Keys; and Kristen Muller from Telluride, Colorado. Together, they explored how specialized expertise, The Agency's brand and marketing, and the reach of its global network can help agents distinguish themselves in their local markets. Their varied perspectives reflected the value of bringing colleagues together across regions to share ideas and experience. > "The best part of these gatherings is the reminder that we're not alone in this. We're part of something bigger." — Anonymous attendee ### Celebrating in Fort Worth The connections continued that evening at River Ranch Stockyards, where colleagues gathered for The Agency Fort Worth's grand opening celebration. It was a fitting close to a day dedicated to the people, partnerships, and shared ambition behind The Agency's growing presence. - **Key takeaways from the event:** - Branding is more important than ever in a crowded market. - New development offers untapped opportunities for agents who understand buyer desires. - Technology and digital strategy are non-negotiables for future success. - Collaboration across markets strengthens referral networks and builds community. Whether you're in a major metro or a smaller market, the lessons from In Good Company apply: show up, share ideas, and build relationships. That's how you grow—together.