TRADECRAFT — The WALI Investigative Tradecraft Conference

Everything they left out of the manual.

This is not a conference you sit through. No back-to-back speakers. No back row. Eighty-five investigators at one table & a weekend built so everyone leaves knowing more than when they arrived. 

Friday, 6:30 PM — The Intake. Ballroom networking reception & registration.

Saturday — Open File. Breakfast, then a day that moves:

- Keynote: Undercover investigations for good

- Wrongful conviction: a panel of exonerated defendants share the impact investigative work had in their cases

- Automating OSINT with AI 

- International asset tracing master class

- Mobile device forensics for the non-technical

- Counterintelligence secrets for sharper OPSEC

- Storytelling through film, with a documentary filmmaker and producer

- Getting quotes that settle cases, taught by a TV news anchor

- Surveillance technology panel 

- Lightning roundtables cocktail hour — get to know our speakers

Saturday highlight: Midday, you choose: an interview-technique workshop, or a live surveillance exercise following an experienced rabbit through downtown Seattle streets. Or, a witness interview masterclass.

Saturday night: choose between three Saturday-night group outings, or explore the city on your own terms.

Sunday — The Debrief. Working groups tear down the rules that shape your practice — firearms, licensing, taxes, protected personal information, GPS use, professionalism — then work with a state lawmaker to design the operating environment we want and map the road there. After that, affinity groups: surveillance, fraud, undercover, human intelligence, OSINT, corporate, forensics. Meet the people whose work looks like yours.

New this year: mentorship. Join the program at registration
& choose your side of the table, mentor or mentee.

The guarantee. Last year we promised a full refund to anyone who left feeling shortchanged. No one asked for one. The offer stands.

Registration. Members $275, non-members $350 through September 10. Prices rise to $350/$425 September 11 and again October 10 — the early rate is the best deal we'll offer.

Your room. $149/night with waived resort fee. Book here to get the group rate which holds three days before and after — bring the family. The room block closes October 9.

Questions? Contact WALI at board@wali.org