Ladies and Gentlemen (The term Gents is for a toilet, not a person);

I have attended many of these conferences and continue to find them of great motivation and an excellent oppurtunity to network with other motivated players in the property industry.  That being said, I still struggle to be informed of any new 'key' information that will dramtically change my ways.

I think we all have taken a number of years to study, research and live the cycles we choose to use to make our investment dollar.  This is what I enjoy talking about whilst getting coffee in a conference break, but I am frustrated at the use of a paid event to advertise further packages and more detailed training courses.  Michael Yardney, I give you a significant amount of credit for the work you have done in educating property investors throughout Australia and the probably the rest of the world; but good Sir, can you please not use one hour of your seminars to advertise 'what Metropole can do for you'.  I have experienced this a couple of times now and I'm sure that you are not the only one in the industry who uses thisgreat oppurtunity to promote your services. I am by no means implying that many many people have not done extremely well from the use of the your companies services. Quite the opposite.  Those reading who have not heard Michael or spoken with his team, I highly reccomend it so that you find out what YOU can achieve.

I will go out on a limb here to say that Australia has one of the best property investment cultures and knowledge bases in the world.  We have been blessed with a fair taxation system that supports basic investment techniques and have a number of investors utilising it at its lowest levels.  Where we are lacking in this area is training and support for the mid level (have two properties and wan't to make something real of it).  This demographic has ready income to purchase expensive seminar tickets and are fully aware of the tax deductability of self education expenses!  But it appears that the education infrastructure beyond this level is sposored and conducted by those who serve to profit from it's teachings. 

Other options for recognised and controlled training include the Realestate Institutes and the Financial industry training. The institutes exist to further the network of Agents and Rental management within each state and territory.  Real professional development in property investment will not be gained through them, and financial services training will make you master of insurance bills and superannuation rules.  None of the supervised training courses will be much good to the aspiring 'Donald Trumps' in suburban Australia.

So what does a serious property investor need to be? A marketing specialist, social scientist, artist, negatiator, student of history and a person with self belief.  I know I can at get at least the basis of these skills from colleagues in forums like this and through my own trial and error.  I pay enough for expert advise and compliance with Government requirements, I don't need to pay to learn and then end up paying to be sold a product.

Supervision is needed in the property investment seminar industry.  A disclaimer and Product Disclosure Statement should be seen as the minimum requirement for attendance at any conference conducted by industry service providers.  After all, what product do you get for your $100?

I'm normally a positive person.

Falvs