As we emerge from our long, late-winter slumber and get ready for springtime, it  helps to remember all the things we can look forward to as the snow melts and  the days get longer: spring flowers, colorful buds on trees, dog parks full of  happy hounds enjoying the warmer weather...and best of all, The Cooperator’s annual Co-op & Condo Expo, which turns 26 this year. The free event showcases hundreds of  exhibitors from throughout the region, along with free advice booths and a full  slate of educational seminars, and returns to the Hilton New York in Manhattan  on Tuesday, April 16, 2013 from 9 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 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 full slate of unique educational programming.  

 Every year, the Expo's full schedule of seminars 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 2013—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 and claim a  spot in the audience!  

 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.  

 So 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 16th! 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.