There are cost effective national speakers who have courses, boot camps and materials that are not too expensive. 

My hope is to bring in speakers and create some sort of panel discussion every other week and then based on the knowledge or topic that is discussed perform a hands on activity related to that topic.

I know that there is an REIA Group in Hagerstown which has a good speaker series, but I was thinking of a more discussion based group that could meet regularly to discuss ideas, experiences and topics of specific interest as decided by the group.I would be happy to do the organizing. 

I've seen too many people in trouble because "everyone else is doing it" or "i learned it from a national speaker." 

My understanding is that many REIAs bring in speakers to sell products, because they're getting a cut of everything sold there.

I also saw the library is having speakers in June and July on real estate and investing etc.

Spanish speakers like money too :)I'd go around with flash cards with the specific information you are looking for.

@Tim Fitzgerald  and of course when you go to a live event the speaker usually leads with a nice picture of he family and kiddos  because that Is the entire reason he or she is doing this.. so they can spend more time with the kids.. not to mention the kids once they get about 8 don't want to spend much time with us LOL.. like is said rooted deeply in MLM marketing techinques

This month they have a speaker absolutely on point for your goals. 

On multiple occasions, different speakers have somehow stumbled onto the topic of investors, flipping houses, “we buy houses†signs, and the like.