News & Information

Networking opportunity can boost ROI
The Title Report 5/16/07

Top-rated economist to address title industry at national conference
The Title Report 4/30/07

Metrocities’ Stone, Real Living’s Rouda headline conference
The Title Report 3/30/07

Independent title agents to rally around ideas to succeed in a slowing market
The Title Report 3/16/07






Networking opportunity can boost ROI
As seen in: The Title Report 5/16/07

Industry movers and shakers will be gathering at the National Settlement Services Summit in Cleveland to discuss issues at the forefront of the settlement services industry. Opportunities will abound during the event to pad your Rolodex and make connections to possibly facilitate new business relationships. (5/16/2007) Industry movers and shakers will be gathering at the National Settlement Services Summit in Cleveland to discuss issues at the forefront of the settlement services industry. The summit takes place on June 19 and 20 and offers more than a few opportunities to rub elbows with some of these influential attendees and top speakers.

“The summit is a great forum to find out how colleagues are jumping the same hurdles you face,” says Michael Kennerley, assistant vice president of sales for Charles Jones Inc. “In a down market, not only do you need to offer a great product and a great service, but you also have to stand out from the crowd. The connections made at the summit can facilitate those kinds of ideas, business arrangements and opportunities. You will meet people who can help your business.”

Opportunities abound to network with industry powerhouses and come away with not just a fatter rolodex, but valuable insight. The summit kicks off with an Editor’s Reception on the eve of the opening ceremony on June 18. Guaranteed to be a smaller crowd than at the event itself, it offers a head start on meeting the speakers and other conference attendees. The June 19 opening night reception will be held at the House of Blues in downtown Cleveland, with the majority of speakers expected to attend. Breakfast, lunchtime, breaks and general sessions also provide chances to connect with colleagues.

Many prominent speakers are scheduled to discuss major industry issues throughout the conference. Harley E. Rouda Jr is scheduled to give the keynote that will focus on finding opportunities and solutions during this market downswing. William Evans, chief financial officer of LandAmerica Financial Group Inc and Joe Piernock, president of Corporate Development Services, are joining a panel discussion about exit strategies. Emerging technologies that will increase efficiency in the industry will also be discussed. Anne Anastasi, president of Troon Management Corp., will give insight on how to build a compliant affiliated business arrangement.

For more information or go register, go to www.octoberresearch.com/ns3, or call 877-662-8623, ext. 6507, 6104 or 6626.

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Top-rated economist to address title industry at national conference
As seen in: The Title Report 4/30/07

Richard J. DeKaser, chief economist at National City Corp. and the nation’s top-rated economist in 2006, will address the title industry at the National Settlement Services Summit this June in Cleveland. DeKaser, who is scheduled to speak at 11 a.m. June 19, has responsibility for economic forecasting and financial market analysis for National City. In this role, he provides analysis to senior management, business leaders and clients of the bank.

DeKaser was named “top economist” in 2006 by USA Today and ranked in the top five for three of the four years the newspaper has ranked economic forecast accuracy. He is also responsible for National City’s economic and interest rate forecasts and related research. He authors the “Financial Market Outlook,” a monthly commentary on timely economic issues.

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Metrocities’ Stone, Real Living’s Rouda headline conference
As seen in: The Title Report 3/30/07

Several thought leaders will lead the agent focused National Settlement Services Summit that will highlight strategies to pull through a soft market. (3/30/2007) Thought leaders from major customers to the title industry will headline the 2007 National Settlement Services Summit June 19-20 in Cleveland.

Harley Rouda Jr., Real Living Inc.’s managing partner and CEO; and Patrick Stone, vice chairman of Metrocities Mortgage, will address the summit as keynote speakers.

The conference will be presented by The Title Report and RamQuest Software Inc., and is expected to draw nearly 400 title agents and settlement services professionals. The summit will take place at the Marriott at Key Center in Cleveland.

“We are thrilled to have Patrick Stone and Harley Rouda address the industry this year,” said Brian Rieger, vice president of Seminars & Studies at October Research. “Rouda represents one of the major residential real estate firms in the nation, and will deliver a good look at what the realty market segment — one of title’s biggest sources of business — sees ahead. Stone will undoubtedly offer a truthful, no-holds-barred look at what title businesses must do to pull through the softening market.”

The focus of this year’s summit is the title agent, particularly on what title companies should be doing to stay successful in a down market cycle. Alternative revenue streams and practical operational considerations will be added to the agenda, geared to owners and executives managing title and settlement companies. Other key topics to be addressed will include compliance strategies (at both the federal and state levels) and the changing dynamic between independent title agents and underwriters.

This year’s summit will also offer a wider selection of content to attendees, Rieger added.

“Participants will have their choice of more breakout sessions this year," Rieger said. "While some attendees may be interested in our AfBA building session, others may wish to attend a session on adding relocation services to their product offering.”

Early-bird registration will end April 20, but Rieger cautioned that available rooms and registrations are limited.

“We’ve sold out the event for two straight years, and early sales indicate that we will do so again this year,” he said.

For more information or to register, go to www.octoberseminars.com/ns3.


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Independent title agents to rally around ideas to succeed in a slowing market
As seen in: The Title Report 3/16/07

Registrations are being taken for the National Settlement Services Summit in Cleveland. This gathering of nearly 400 agents has sold out two years running. Don’t be left out, sign up now. (3/16/2007) Registrations are now being taken for the 2007 National Settlement Services Summit. The third annual conference will once again be presented by The Title Report and RamQuest Software Inc., and is expected to draw nearly 400 independent title agents and settlement services professionals from across the country. The Summit will take place June 19 and 20 at the Marriott at Key Center in Cleveland.

This year’s Summit will focus on ways in which title companies can succeed and compete as the market softens. How-to sessions will be offered for building alternative revenue streams in markets such as default and relocation along with building compliant affiliated business arrangements. Several sessions will address day-to-day title operations and ways to keep business efficient and reduce costs during a time of lower order volume. Compliance and sales strategies — vital during a market down cycle — will also be covered. For those business owners looking for exit strategies, the Summit will host a general session demonstrating proven approaches for valuing and selling one’s title agency.

Title agents will also hear from their customers, Harley E. Rouda Jr., CEO of Real Living, one of the nation’s largest real estate operations, will open the summit speaking to the current state of the real estate industry and a look at the future, The Summit will also provide sneak-preview of results from the 2007 Independent Title Agent Survey conducted by October Research.

“We’ve seen the Summit grow into the premiere event for the independent title agent,” said Brian Rieger, vice president of Seminars for October Research. “Many have told us that this year they would like us to focus on a practical, business-focused approach this year, which we will be doing. The production will be the same quality, as will the speakers, but we’ll be going beyond how to reach the customer to offer ideas on overall business strategy and tactics.”

Early-bird registration will end April 20, but Rieger cautions that available rooms and registrations are limited. “We’ve sold out the event for two straight years, and fully expect to do so again this year,” he said.

For more information or to register, go to www.octoberseminars.com/ns3.


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