Tremark at the 100th WAD Conference in Chicago

Tremark at the 100th WAD Conference in Chicago

We were thrilled to represent Tremark in Chicago for the World Association of Detectives’ (WAD) 100th anniversary conference. Tremark’s very own Mark Hodgson, Karl Brooker, and Aldiny Guerra joined hundreds of investigators at the historic Drake Hotel. The Drake itself is legendary – over the years it hosted famous guests from Al Capone to Princess Diana. Celebrating WAD’s centennial in a hotel with such storied history felt just right.

Wednesday evening kicked off with a roaring 1920s-themed casino night. Roulette, blackjack, and craps were on all the tables, with live jazz-era music and cocktails creating a speakeasy vibe. We found ourselves chatting and laughing with investigators from all corners of the world, making new friends and contacts across the international detective community.

Getting Stuck In!

Thursday morning we joined the official opening meeting. The roll call and board presentations got things started, and to our delight the Chicago Police Department even marched in with drummers to ceremonially kick off the meeting. Later we explored exhibits and discussions on everything from open-source intelligence databases to a Private Investigators Museum. One highlight was a session on “Truckers Against Human Trafficking,” a powerful awareness-to-action discussion.

We took a relaxing river cruise along the Chicago River on Thursday afternoon. Seeing the impressive mix of historic and modern buildings from the water reminded us why Chicago’s skyline is so famous. In the evening we headed back to the Drake for a 1920s-styled Palm Court cocktail reception. We mingled over drinks and hors d’oeuvres, then capped off the night at a downtown rooftop bar with sweeping city views.

World Association of Detectives – Into the Weekend

Friday morning began with the WAD elections. Watching how the board is chosen was fascinating – it gave us an insider look at the association’s democracy. Next came an “International Investigations” seminar hosted by Mike LaCorte. Five investigators from around the world shared their expertise on cross-border cases, which really underscored how global our work can be. In the afternoon we dove into sessions on technical surveillance and even the use of Artificial Intelligence in investigations. One seminar took us through a dramatic “journey of betrayal and danger,” and another case study showed how private investigators cracked a real crime.

One of the conference’s big social highlights came on Friday night: a black-tie Centennial Gala in the Drake’s Gold Coast Ballroom. Over 300 members gathered to celebrate 100 years of WAD, complete with dinner, dancing, and a live 12-piece Chicago tribute band that had us all on our feet into the early morning. The energy was electric, and it felt amazing to mark this milestone surrounded by colleagues from around the globe.

Saturday morning came, and it was a much welcome opportunity to rest and recharge… We strolled along Lake Michigan to clear our heads after the late night. In the afternoon, our team (Mark, Karl, and Aldiny) enjoyed a game at Wrigley Field watching the Chicago Cubs take on the Washington Nationals. It was a close, exciting game and a fun way to unwind together outside the conference.

That evening closed out the trip with a bang: a farewell dinner cruise on Lake Michigan. We dined against the backdrop of the city skyline and enjoyed an unbelievable fireworks show lighting up the sky. It was a spectacular finale – a memory we’ll cherish for years.

Until Next Time!

By Sunday, it was time to say our goodbyes. We hugged new friends and exchanged contact info with investigators from literally all over the world. These global relationships are now a real asset for Tremark – our investigations often span countries, so having trusted colleagues worldwide means we can solve cases faster and smarter. We returned home inspired, grateful, and already looking forward to the next WAD conference and all the adventures ahead.