“Becoming a Risk-Smart Trustee:
Conference Summary
Join other ITA members to network, learn about independent trustee as a profession, and exchange tips with other professionals in your field.
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Conference Highlights
Dive into the expert insights and
attendee experiences from past conferences in our content gallery.
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Hotel Information
Marriott Quorum in Dallas, TX
14901 Dallas Parkway
Dallas, Texas 75254
Room rate: $185 per night + taxes
Who Should Attend the ITA Annual Conference?
- Trustees: Learn new tips, techniques and interact with other professionals in your field.
- Attorneys, Wealth Managers, Family Advisors, CPAs, Insurance Professionals
- Learn more about this profession and how it can help increase your value to your clients.
- CLE: Full Conference attendance accredited for 8 hours MCLE
How Much Does it Cost to Attend?
$575.00 ITA Member
$775.00 Non-Member
$150.00
All attendees will receive MCLE credit for the conference.
What’s On the Agenda?
May 13–15, 2026 • Dallas, Texas
Dallas/Addison Marriott Quorum by the Galleria
14901 Dallas Parkway Dallas, Texas 75254
Full Conference Attendance will be accredited
for 8.5 hours MCLE. Accreditation pending.
So, You Want to Be a Trustee?
From Intake to Exit: Practical Pointers on Trusteeship for Professionals and Beginners
This practical, fast-paced seminar offers real-world guidance for both new and seasoned trustees.
Master Certified Independent Trustees Marguerite Lorenz and Tim Borchers join trustee consultant Dave Folz to cover the full life cycle of trusteeship—from accepting appointments to resignation and succession planning.
Topics include trustee duties, operations, fees, technology and cybersecurity, staffing, beneficiary management, ethics, and avoiding burnout. Panelists share practical strategies, checklists, and communication tools to reduce risk, improve efficiency, and build a sustainable trustee practice. Interactive Q&A ensures attendees leave with actionable takeaways.
● 6:00 pm – Opening Reception – everyone welcome
● 7:30 am – Breakfast
● 8:00 am – Welcome – Kevin Quinn
● 8:15 am – Defusing Explosive Trusts – Dan Felix, Esq. and Amanda Koplin
● 9:15 am – Break
● 9:30 am – Changing Trusts, Changing Taxes: Risks to Watch – Nikki Laing, Esq.
● 10:30 am – Managing Unique Assets – Matt Erskine, Esq.
● 11:30 am – Lunch / ITA Annual Business Meeting and Update
● 12.30 pm – Trust-Owned Life Insurance: What Can Go Wrong – Ron Ware
● 1:30 pm – Release Agreements for Trustees – Brooke Ginsburg-Guerro, Esq.
● 2:15 pm – Reducing Beneficiary Risk Through Purpose-Inspired Trust Meetings John A. Warnick, Esq.
● 3:15 pm – Break
● 3:30 pm – Investments and Risk Reduction – Wade Jewett and Matthew Bourque, Esq.
● 4:15 pm – Special Needs Trusts and Tools for Managing Distribution Risk with Beneficiaries – Jim Wolverton, Esq.
● 5:00 pm – End of Presentations
● 5:15 pm – 6:30 ITA Happy Hour (at the Hotel)
● 6:30 pm – Dinner with Friends (Choose Your Own – Options Provided)
● 7:30 am – Breakfast
● 8:00 am – AI Practical Applications for Trustees – Dave Folz, Esq. & Frazer Rice, Esq.
● 9:30 am – Update on Cyber Liability and Trustee Insurance Trends – Judy Pearson
● 10:00 am – Break
● 10:15 am – Open Discussion
● 11:30 am – Wrap Up
● 12:00 pm – Adjourn
Sponsor the 2026 Conference
Are you interested in sponsoring this year’s annual conference, supporting the trustee profession, and getting your business name in front of hundreds of industry professionals? Connect with us to learn more about conference sponsorship or our alliance partner program.
Peer Recognition
At this year’s Annual Conference, we are highlighting the members who make this network exceptional. If a fellow Trustee has offered invaluable guidance, demonstrated excellence in governance, or supported your professional journey, we want to recognize them.
Peer Recognition
Your nomination will be featured as part of our Member Appreciation at the conference, ensuring your colleagues receive the public recognition they’ve earned.
Milestone Members
In celebration of our 10th anniversary, we are proud to honor our members who have reached significant milestones of five years or more. This list recognizes the enduring commitment of those who have been with ITA through five, ten, and every year of growth in between. Your long-standing partnership is the cornerstone of our history and our future.
10 Years
- Dan Felix
- Dave Folz
- Billy Jones
- Marguerite Lorenz
- Richard Neely
- Kevin Quinn
- Tony Vaida
7-9 YEARS
- Noah Benton
- Jeff Crawford
- Richmond Fisher
- Paul Friedel
- Dana Garnett
- Clint Haggard
- Robert Hopper
- Paul Hynes
- Amber James
- David Johnson
- Steve Masterson
- Joe McMackin
- Leslie McNamara
- Frank Mullins
- Brad Parker
- Judy Pearson
- Keenen Schmitz
- Ryan Shumacher
- Tia Small
- Clay Spiegel
- Scott Squillace
- Brian Wagner
- Peter Wall
6 YEARS
- Jim Benedek
- Sue Bennett
- Charles Conrad
- Dan Fitzpatrick
- Jennifer Gazda
- Melissa Guy
- Lee Ann Hitchman
- Debbie Hu
- Theresa Hughes
- Caren Jenkins
- Diana Law
- Rick Law
- Gracy Lozano
- Nikki Royer
- Adam Sherry
- Michael Torres
- Daniel Vasko
- Joseph Vasko
- Michael Whitty
- Robert Wiegand II
- Linda Wilson
5 YEARS
- Jennifer Crossett
- William Dodgen
- Fred Goldinov
- Robert Haley
- Chad Harlow
- Gary Matesic
- Monika Pelletier
- Rick Ybarra
To our Milestone Members and our entire community:
Thank You for your incredible dedication and for making this alliance truly magnificent!
Past Conferences
Conference Testimonials
Conference Speakers
2025
The 2025 ITA Annual Conference was held in Dallas, TX with over seventy five attendees from the professional trustee industry.
Dallas, TX
2024
The 2024 ITA Annual Conference was held in Dallas, TX with over fifty attendees from the professional trustee industry.
Dallas, TX
2023
The 2023 ITA Annual Conference was held in Dallas, TX with over fifty attendees from the professional trustee industry.
Dallas, TX
