I’m Monica Bynum here a local agent in Memphis, Tn.

I call them in-between because they are conferences, so not like your local meetups, but they are not truly "industry" conferences like NMHC, where you will meet primarily career, corporate multi-family people.Bigger Pockets Conference and Best Ever Conference are two that likely would cater to people more in your position.  

Ensure the sublease is explicitly permitted in a written agreement with your friend and aligns with local STR laws.

If you are searching for offmarket, you can network with local wholesalers, and also use something like dealmachine to generate leads.

I would be self managing the property because I know the area well, have local connections to help out if in a pickle, and could get there in a day drive if need be. 

I completed an internship in commercial real estate, and I also attended a couple of local REIA meetings/networking events before moving to Northern VA.I was able to narrow down potential strategies, and I figured both BRRR as well as wholesaling don't seem to be the best strategies for me.

Especially if you have a local handyman you can trust to take care of the property.

Found this property through our local online foreclosure auction site.

Locals know that and you can see that in DOM. 

One buddy of mine split his time between local flips in Greensboro and buy-and-hold single-families in Memphis.