I am the biggest fan of Bigger Pockets, and was so happy to attend BPcon in Cancun last year, and just signed up to attend BPcon in Las Vegas. 

However, members can invite guests to attend certain paid events so the guests don’t have to pay.I also attend the San Antonio REIA (SAREIA) lunch events.

Any groups/meetups that i could attend in the local Houston area?

Typically if you attend any investor meetings about 1/2 the crowd in many groups are agents looking for business.If you want to network, try service clubs, alumni groups, charities, religious groups, hobby groups or whatever interests you. 

There are sometimes events in the Bay Area that Brad's students attend. 

We're currently living in Idaho so attendance will be difficult in the near future but we'll have to plan a trip to Sac or make sure to attend a meeting when we move! 

If you do attend the REI Expo then lets connect.

Focus on one strategy, practice analyzing deals, and take consistent small steps like attending events and building relationships.

Go to local meetups, search these forums for people that have mentioned that they do private lending and attend other RE events.

I attend most of those so hope to see you soon.