December 5, 2003

Dear TLTA Member:

The holiday season is upon us! It is a joyous time of year with many distractions, special activities, and an abundance of demands on our time. Many of us at TLTA will have to put our festivities on hold, at least for a few weeks.

As you know, the Title Insurance Rate Hearing will be held on December 15 at 9:30 a.m. at the Texas Department of Insurance in Austin and is scheduled to continue through Dec. 17.  Your interests will be represented by TLTA counsel and witnesses before the Commissioner and other concerned parties. Click here to review a complete list of agenda items to be considered at the rate hearing.

The Underwriter Section Executive Committee met recently to elect a new chairman and discuss rule and rate hearing issues. Glenn Clements was elected Section Chairman to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Darryl Tyson and Tim Redding was elected Vice Chairman.

The TLTA Board of Directors will meet on Wednesday, January 14, 2004 at 1:00 p.m. at the Doubletree Post Oak Hotel, 2000 Post Oak Blvd., Houston. As always, we welcome your attendance at the Board meeting. Contact Leslie Midgley at the TLTA office if you would like more information.
 
TLTA sponsored its first Advanced Closing Issues Seminar on November 13.  Approximately 140 advanced closers participated in the sold-out seminar in Dallas. The Land Title Institute is being held this week in San Antonio with 425 registrants for this popular program, and the upcoming Regional Seminar in Houston includes a variety of topics designed to appeal to all levels of our membership. Don't wait until the last minute to register! To view the complete 2003-2004 TLTA education calendar, or for additional program information click here.

Upcoming On the Calendar
Houston Regional Seminar   Doubletree at Post Oak, January 13 and 14
TLTA Board of Directors Meeting  Doubletree at Post Oak, January 14
Abstract & Examining Workshop   Doubletree at Post Oak Hotel Houston, January 15

We continue to see steady interest in our Individual Membership program. As you know, this new level of membership has been created to give all who work in our industry an opportunity to become more involved in TLTA. As of December 2 we have 176 new individual members. Click here for more information about the Individual Membership program
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Plans for the 2004 Annual Conference in Corpus Christi are in high gear, with our education staff working on arrangements for special events and speakers, as well as marketing these events to potential sponsors and exhibitors.  I know you and your employees will have a great time at this year's conference, so plan ahead, and mark your calendars for June 4-6, 2004 when it will be Smooth Sailing in Corpus Christi!

As always, if you have questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me or one of the TLTA staff. I would also like to extend my very best wishes to you and your families for a safe and peaceful holiday season.

Warmest regards,



Dave Ginger
TLTA President