Conference FAQ

Conferences are typically held in late September or mid-October over a 3-day weekend (Friday–Sunday). Recent and upcoming locations include:

• 2018: Dallas, TX (Westin Galleria) – First annual conference, October 12–14
• 2019: Location TBD, November 8–10
• 2020: Virtual Conference – November 7 (due to COVID-19)
• 2021: Las Vegas, NV (MGM) – October 8–10
• 2022: Charlotte, NC – September 16–18
• 2023: Denver, CO (Westin Downtown) – September 22–24
• 2024: Dallas, TX (Sheraton) – September 27–29
• 2025: Phoenix, AZ (Sheraton Downtown) – September 19–21
• 2026: Dallas, TX (Fairmont) – October 16–18, 2026

Note: There's a built-in $50 discount if you book through the official hotel link.

• Refunds available until 60 days before the conference (August 15, 2026)
• No refunds after August 15, 2026
• Tickets are non-transferable

• Free cancellation up to 72 hours (3 days) before arrival
• Cancellations within 72 hours: one night's room rate + tax charged
• Important: If you book a room and don't cancel, the 506 Group is charged a penalty and will bill you for it

Many sponsors organize pre-conference activities on Thursday (the day before), including:

• Property tours
• Happy hours
• Investor dinners
• Networking meetups

Members can often book hotel rooms for Thursday at the discounted rate (subject to availability).

Early registration (first-come, first-served) gives you:

• Lowest price ($299 for the first 300 registrants)
• First choice for one-on-one sponsor meetings
• First choice for Friday sponsor dinners
• First choice for Saturday sponsor dinners
• First choice for sponsor outings
• Better planning for organizers

No, but non-Patreon supporters pay higher registration fees. Patreon support starts at $10/month or $114/year, and 100% of proceeds go to staff and operating costs.

Local members who don't need hotel accommodations pay the same lower "with hotel link" price, not the higher "without hotel link" price.

Yes! Each additional attendee (including spouses/guests) requires:

• A separate registration ($299+ per person)
• A unique email address for the conference app
• Separate payment

Spouses/guests can participate in all conference activities, including sponsor dinners (if slots are available).

Historically, tickets have been transferable between members, though recent policies indicate they are "non-transferable." Contact Mark Robertson (@506Godfather) for exceptions.

After the member voting process determines which sponsors are invited, you'll receive emails (in batches based on registration/payment order) to select:

• One-on-one meetings (Friday morning, typically 15–30 minutes each)
• Sponsor dinner selections (one for Friday, one for Saturday)

15–30 minute private meetings with sponsors on Friday morning. These are highly valued opportunities to:

• Ask detailed questions about specific investments
• Get updates on existing investments
• Assess sponsor character and trustworthiness face-to-face
• Discuss strategy and future plans

You can typically sign up for multiple 1-on-1 meetings (4+ slots allowed).

30-minute rotating sessions on Friday afternoon, where you meet sponsors in small groups (~10 members) for:

• Brief sponsor presentations (elevator pitch)
• Q&A sessions
• General introductions

New sponsor every 30 minutes, allowing exposure to many sponsors quickly.

Sponsors host groups of 10–12 members at high-end local restaurants on Friday and Saturday evenings. These dinners:

• Are paid for by sponsors (typically $175+ per person)
• Feature excellent food and cocktails
• Allow personal conversations with sponsors
• Generally have no sales pitches (though Q&A is welcomed)
• Help members build relationships with sponsors

Important: Members must honor their dinner commitments. No-shows have resulted in member removal from the group.

Yes, if they've registered for the conference. When selecting dinner slots, put each person's name on a separate line/slot. Some sponsors may offer dinner spots even to non-paying spouses if slots remain available closer to the event.

Active 506 Group members who have:

• Invested in 10+ alternative deals
• Significant experience with private investments
• Willingness to share knowledge and answer questions

They participate in panels and "speed dating" sessions on Sunday morning.

Sunday morning features focused discussions on:

• Debt fund comparisons
• Qualified Purchaser investing ($5M+ net worth)
• Tax strategies (1031 exchanges, DSTs, etc.)
• IRA/401(k) investing strategies
• Near and in-retirement investing
• Under-40 investor strategies
• Family office investing
• Opportunity Zone (QOZ) investments
• Non-real estate alternatives
• Working with the 506 RIA (Cornerstone)

Yes! The discounted hotel rate typically extends 3–7 days before and after the conference dates, subject to availability. This allows members to:

• Explore the host city
• Visit local friends
• Combine the conference with a family vacation

For 2026: Sponsors have activities on October 15th, so arriving Wednesday or Thursday is recommended.

Contact the conference organizer (@HalCat on the forum) if you have booking issues. They often negotiate additional rooms at discounted rates. We recommend booking early to avoid this issue.

• Denver 2023: A-Line Rail from Denver Airport to Union Station ($10.50), then a 10-minute walk to the Westin; Free MallRide available
• Phoenix 2025: Downtown Phoenix location, walkable to many attractions
• Dallas 2026: Downtown location, convenient access to DFW area attractions

Paul Szilassy: "The 2023 Denver Conference was my first with the 506 group, and I rate this experience a 10 out of 10! The selected speakers were relevant and engaging, the sponsors were accessible and responsive, the members were welcoming and open to sharing experiences."

Scott Price: "The organizers, volunteers, staff, sponsors, speakers, and collaborative community of fellow investors make this conference such a success every year. The depth and opportunities of interaction are terrific."

Steve Cavanaugh: "I was blown away by the tremendous value and great people. Kudos to you and your team for putting on a first-class event!"

Lance Adams: "It was great meeting many of my fellow investors in person. I always prefer to invest with people I have met face to face, so the conference was a great opportunity to do that."

Paul Dynan: "The ability to interact, network, and just have personal interactions with members is invaluable. Normally, talking about money and finances in a social setting is considered vain or tacky. At the 506 Conference, it's a way to share philosophies, experiences, and advice in a candid and conversational way."

• Member-focused (not sponsor sales pitches)
• Direct access to sponsors (1-on-1 meetings, small groups)
• Premium sponsors available (many can only be contacted through the conference)
• Peer learning (experienced member panels and discussions)
• High-caliber attendees (accredited investors with significant experience)
• No fluff – straightforward, practical information
• Value pricing ($299–399 vs. $500–$5,000 at other events)
• Inclusive meals (breakfast, lunch, cocktail party, sponsor dinners)

Absolutely! Many first-time attendees report:

• Learning about new investment categories
• Understanding due diligence processes
• Meeting mentors and experienced investors
• Building confidence in alternative investing
• Making valuable connections

The small group discussions and experienced member sessions are specifically designed to help newer investors.

• Business cards
• Questions for sponsors (write them down beforehand)
• Comfortable shoes (lots of standing/walking)
• Notepad or tablet for notes
• Open mind and willingness to network
• Closed-toed shoes if attending property tours

Yes! Sponsors occasionally offer property tours, typically on Thursday afternoon before the conference begins. Examples:

• Alturas: Industrial property tours (annual tradition)
• Grubb Properties: Opportunity Zone development tours (2023 Denver)
• MAG Capital: Industrial property tours

These tours usually include:

• Transportation provided
• Hard hats/safety equipment
• Behind-the-scenes access
• Follow-up happy hour or dinner

Space is limited (typically 15–20 attendees); registration required.

Sunday morning sessions where members (without sponsors present) discuss their impressions of specific sponsors. These allow:

• Candid feedback sharing
• Collective due diligence
• Comparison of experiences
• Q&A with other members about specific sponsors

Led by volunteer members who keep discussions on track.

Yes! Volunteer opportunities include:

• Leading small group discussions
• Moderating sponsor debriefing sessions
• Participating in experienced member panels/speed dating
• Helping with logistics
• Room setup/breakdown

Volunteers are highly appreciated and get deeper engagement with the content and community.

Minimum Costs (per person):

• Registration: $299 (early bird)
• Hotel: $209/night × 2 nights = $418
• Travel: Varies by location
• Total: ~$717 + travel

Additional Potential Costs:

• Extra hotel nights (Thursday, Sunday)
• Lunches on Friday (on your own)
• Transportation/parking
• Optional tourist activities

Members consistently report:

• Making investment decisions worth $50K–$500K+ based on sponsor meetings
• Avoiding bad investments (potentially saving $100K+)
• Gaining access to investment opportunities not available elsewhere
• Building relationships that lead to future co-investments
• Learning strategies that improve overall portfolio performance

Many members consider it one of their best annual investments.

Typically 6–8 months before the conference (January–February for a September conference).

Yes! Members can nominate new sponsors during the nomination phase. The conference organizers also occasionally invite strategic sponsors who may not have been on previous lists.

• Nominate them for the next conference
• Reach out to them directly for investing opportunities
• Connect with them through the forum
• Attend regional meetups where they might present

• Honor commitments: Show up for scheduled meetings and dinners
• Be respectful: To sponsors, staff, and fellow members
• No recording without permission
• Maintain confidentiality: Don't share sensitive information discussed
• Follow the schedule: Be punctual
• Engage positively: Ask questions, participate in discussions
• Network generously: Share knowledge and connections

• More than 60 days before: Full refund
• Less than 60 days before: No refund
• Hotel rooms: Cancel 72 hours before arrival for a refund
• Dinner slots: Remove your name ASAP so others can take the spot
• 1-on-1 meetings: Remove your name from the signup sheet

That's fine, but:

• Let organizers know about scheduling conflicts
• Don't sign up for dinners/meetings you can't attend
• Be respectful of others' time

Conference meals (breakfast, lunch) typically accommodate:

• Vegetarian
• Common allergies (notify organizers in advance)

Sponsor dinners vary by restaurant. Notify your sponsor host about dietary restrictions.

Major hotel venues are typically ADA-compliant. Contact @HalCat for specific accessibility needs.

Business casual is standard:

• Friday/Saturday: Business casual (no jeans for most)
• Sunday: More relaxed
• Property tours: Closed-toe shoes required, long pants recommended
• Dinners: Business casual to smart casual

No. This is a member conference, not a sponsor sales event. Only invited sponsors may present.