As we enter a new year and get ready for the snow and ice to fall, we, of course, look forward to warmer weather. One of the rites of passage to spring is The Cooperator’s annual Co-op & Condo Expo, which is now 27 years and running.

The free event, which showcases hundreds of exhibitors from throughout the region, along with free advice booths and a full slate of educational seminars, returns to the Hilton New York in Manhattan on Tuesday, April 8, 2014 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The Expo is the biggest, best-attended, and most professionally diverse event of its kind on the East Coast; since its inception over a quarter-century ago, it's cemented its reputation as the must-attend event for the tri-state area’s property managers, board members, and unit owners. Anyone involved in the day-to-day administration of a co-op or condo will benefit from a visit to the show—as will building owners, managers, and anyone considering joining their board, or taking an active interest in how their building is run.

Seminars, Seminars

Good communication, organization, and information have always been crucial to maintaining a thriving, successful community, and smart boards and building managers know that in order to stay prosperous—or even just solvent—in a tough town like ours, one needs a strong set of building-related skills. The Cooperator's Co-op & Condo Expo offers attendees the opportunity to hone those skills, in one day and under one roof, with a wealth of advice and unique educational programming.

Every year, the Expo's seminar schedule attracts hundreds of attendees throughout the day. These always-popular hour-long panel presentations typically cover topics ranging from energy conservation to legal issues, board operations to effective property management, and the ins and outs of telecommunications. Seminar presenters include professionals from all corners of the industry, including attorneys, lending representatives, accountants, managers, consultants, and more.

The complete lineup of seminars for 2014—to be announced shortly—will present essential and cutting-edge information for anyone involved in running or managing a co-op or condo building. Expo seminars nearly always attract standing-room-only audiences, so be sure to arrive early. Presenters will include Verizon, Herrick | Feinstein, Meridian Capital Group and FirstService Residential, with more to come.

Free Advice Booths & More

Exhibitor booths and a full schedule of seminars may be the big draws to the Expo, but there's so much more going on. In addition to networking and education opportunities, the show's popular free advice booths will be returning as well. If you have questions about your association’s finances, policies, or day-to-day management, you can stop by one of the booths for answers from leading legal, management, maintenance and financial professionals. And of course, no trade show would be complete without giveaways and raffles. Throughout the day, random drawings will be held for a host of valuable door prizes.

$3,500 Reserve Fund Giveaway

Once again, the Expo's annual Reserve Fund prize giveaway, courtesy of The Cooperator and Yale Robbins Publications, LLC will cap off the big day. One board member attending the show will win a $3,500 contribution to their building association's reserve fund. The winner will be drawn at random after registration has closed, and a check for the winnings will be made payable to the winner’s building, care of their management company. Only board members qualify to enter the reserve fund drawing, and attendance at the Expo is required for eligibility. For complete details on how to enter the reserve fund drawing, visit the Expo website, www.coopexpo.com.

Stay tuned to The Cooperator for updates and new additions to the Expo’s exhibitor and seminar roster, and be sure to visit us at the Hilton New York on April 8th! For more information on who is exhibiting at the show, to sign up as an exhibitor, or to register for this one-of-a-kind event, go to www.coopexpo.com.