Bigger players having systems in place that allow them to take calculated risk in buying homes and work on thinner margins.

Thanks @Suzanne Player, I will contact those two banks.

Many of the real players at these meetings, seem to politely steer clear of newbies.

You have the mentality of a football player.

Other than scouring google, what publications and available resources are out there for me to find out more on key players that might be interested in my area?

Easy to read, definitely has quite a bit of technical analysis but its with whit so you know where they are going with it.Some of the largest market players follow zerohedge...

I also became a continuing education provider, spent many thousands identifying and getting to know the centers of influence and the big players. 

Banks will be hard pressed to give you a lone if you don't have a couple of years of taxes and bank accounts to show them you are real player. 

The real players in town will know what attorneys to use when the time comes.

I do have one critique though .. your posting a ad really .. looking for people to come find you .. when really if you have been following along for quite sometime as you said .. you should already know the players in the area even if you haven't done business with them .. like @Kim Meredith Hampton I have seen her name numerous amounts of time on here.. and here she is again ..