If you aren't familiar with NAILTA, here is how they describe the association:

The National Association of Independent Land Title Agents (NAILTA) is a non-profit trade association that represents the interests of independent title insurance agents and independent real estate settlement professionals from across the United States. It was created by independent real estate settlement professionals to further the agenda of small business owners from within the title insurance, abstracting, surveying, and real estate community who lack representation at local, state and national levels.

NAILTA seeks to:

• Restore transparency and credibility to the land title process and preserve an objective and impartial role at the closing table to improve the consumer experience.

• Address the proliferation of controlled business arrangements and eliminate conflicts of interest between title agents and their referral sources, as well as, between all real estate settlement service providers and their sources of business.

• Establish a minimum search standard for title examinations to restore faith in the system of land title.

• Knit together common interests and concerns from across the country and across the entire spectrum of real estate settlement service providers to successfully advocate for independent agents and their like-minded partners in the real estate settlement service community in order to effect positive change on the title industry.

Currently, Ohio, Indiana, New Jersey and Louisiana have state associations for independent title agents - members of these fine organizations are automatically enrolled as members of NAILTA.  If you are in another state, you can join NAILTA directly for as little as $125 per year as a title agent.

I cannot provide you with a full list of all of the activities these organizations have been involved in, but they have been advocating the interests of independent agents through lobbying efforts and providing amicus briefs to courts addressing RESPA issues.  Trust me, they are worthy of your support!

But more to the point of this blog - the agenda for the conference looks excellent.   The keynote speaker is Dr. Ted C. Jones, PhD., Senior Vice President and Chief Economist, Stewart Title Guarantee Company.  He will be followed by Benjamin K. Olsen, Esq., Managing Counsel, Consumer Financial Protections Bureau (CFPB), and Stephen A. Hester, Jr., former Director of Title Insurance, Texas Department of Insurance.

There will also be several breakout sessions, some with CE/CLE opportunities (pending approval, in certain states).  Choices will include "Understanding & Preventing Escrow Account Fraud," "The State of State Independent Title Associations," "Common Claims Traps for Title Agents," "Protecting the Value of Property Records," "Notary Law and Process; What Document Preparers Should Know," "Title Insurance from the Regulator Perspective," "Analyzing Current RESPA Litigation and Beyond," and others.

This looks like a top-notch conference agenda and I want to personally encourage you to attend.  If you are interested in keeping up with important industry developments, I don't think you will be disappointed.  Aside from that - you will get the opportunity to meet other title professionals with similar concerns about our industry and show your support for the independent title agent movement.  

It sure would be nice to pack this conference and send a strong message to the industry that independent title agents aren't going to roll over and let the affiliated businesses have their way with the title business and consumers.  It is important for the integrity of the industry to have independent settlement agents. 

So, go to Baltimore.  Have a good time.  Learn a thing or two  and, show your support for independent title agents.

CLICK HERE FOR CONFERENCE AND REGISTRATION INFORMATION.