What Texas and Oklahoma Agents Discovered at This Fort Worth Summit

Lucía Torres · 2026-11-02

When you put a few dozen real estate pros from across 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. You get real conversations. The kind that spark new ideas and remind everyone why they love this business. 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 came together. They were joined by leaders from The Agency's global network, all eager to swap stories and strategies. ### Why This Gathering Mattered Let's be honest: real estate can feel like a solo sport sometimes. You're hustling, chasing leads, and trying to stay on top of your game. But when you get to step back and connect with peers from other markets, something shifts. You realize you're part of something bigger. Laura Corrigan, EVP of Marketing & Communications, emceed the day alongside The Agency's Founder and CEO, Mauricio Umansky. From breakfast through the final panel, the focus was on practical insights and genuine connection. No fluff—just good stuff. ### Building Brands That Stand Out The morning kicked off with Tyler Mount, owner of Henry Street Creative. Tyler's advised nearly 1,000 agents across 14 countries, so he knows a thing or two about standing out. His session dug into what it takes to build a distinctive brand in a crowded market. Spoiler: it's not about being louder; it's about being clearer. Next up, Laura moderated a panel on new development with 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 and how developments can capture attention. The conversation also highlighted how The Agency's new development resources and collaboration with rennie can give agents an edge. ### A Fireside Chat to Remember One of the day's highlights was Mauricio's fireside chat with Derrick Shore. Derrick is a three-time Emmy Award-winning journalist and cohost of Houston Life on KPRC 2. 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 was candid, engaging, and gave everyone a peek behind the curtain. ### Tech, Strategy, and the Next Generation After lunch, Zane Burnett, EVP of Digital Strategy, took the stage. His session focused on technology and innovation—increasingly essential for agents who want to build their business and serve clients well. Then Mauricio moderated a panel called "How to Differentiate Yourself as the Next Generation of Real Estate." The panel featured 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 discussed how specialized expertise, The Agency's brand and marketing, and its global network can help agents stand out locally. Their varied perspectives showed the value of learning from colleagues in different regions. > "The best ideas often come from outside your own market. That's why events like this matter—they push you to think differently." — Anonymous attendee ### Celebrating in True Fort Worth Style The connections continued that evening at River Ranch Stockyards. Colleagues gathered for The Agency Fort Worth's grand opening celebration. It was a fitting end to a day dedicated to the people, partnerships, and shared ambition behind The Agency's growing presence. ### What You Can Take Away If you're a real estate professional, here's what you can learn from this gathering: - **Collaboration beats competition.** Building referral relationships across markets can open doors you never expected. - **Brand clarity wins.** Know what makes you different and communicate it consistently. - **Stay curious about tech.** Digital strategy isn't optional anymore—it's how you stay relevant. - **Learn from peers.** Different markets face different challenges, but the core lessons often apply everywhere. In the end, In Good Company was more than just a meeting. It was a reminder that no matter where you work, you're part of a community. And sometimes, a little Texas hospitality is all you need to spark big ideas.