I'm looking to network with people in the area to learn about rental properties, and perhaps syndication opportunities as well.

Attend meetups and meet as many people in RE as you can.

A lot of people only think about the short term, and how they can benefit now, rather than how they can set themselves up in the future.

They will have lists of people that have been looking at THEIR rentals and may be willing to help advertise yours for a fee (assuming you want to manage it yourself). 

Many people tend to start with house hacking where you buy a single family property or 1-4 unit property and live in one unit and rent out the other units or rooms if buying a single family home.

There is nothing magical about a LLC or nor does it solve any real estate problems like down payment.

I have done quite a few deals in that area recently for people looking for better returns than they can find closer to the bigger cities.

There have been at least 10 requests over the years for examples of people being sued and their LLC saved them.

Most people pay this, but if they do not...2) Tax commissioner puts a lien on the property (also known as fi fa).  

Hey @Usman Khan, Here in Denver, CO we have that law and some people will find a co-host who lives there and the co-host obtains the STR license.