Record crowds turned out for The Cooperator's 17th Annual Co-op and Condo Expo, March 18th, at the Hilton New York & Towers. Even some morning snow showers failed to dampen the enthusiasm of the more than 4,000 attendees, whose ranks included prospective co-op and condo buyers, shareholders and unit owners, real estate brokers, board members, supers, managers and other professionals.

More than 200 vendors were on hand to show their wares, deliver professional advice and offer product information during the one-day event which is the largest trade show dedicated to the co-op and condo community in the metro New York area.

Attendees took advantage of a unique opportunity to get some helpful advice, learn about new products and new technologies and just gain some insight into what makes their buildings well-run. Some of the region's top professionals in the fields of accounting, mortgage brokerage and lending, exterior maintenance, architectural engineering, interior design, property management, law, insurance, telecommunications and building security were on hand and stationed at free advice booths to offer assistance in answering questions or resolving the many problems facing shareholders and unit owners today.

Four seminars generated standing room-only crowds. Building super Peter Grech of the Superintendents Technical Association moderated "Dollars & Sense: Money Saving Ideas for Your Building," in which panelists Robert E. Mackoul of Mackoul & Associates and Neil Sonenberg, an accountant with Rosen Seymour Shapss Martin & Co. offered a wealth of ideas on how boards and managers can save time and money by trimming unnecessary expenses and keeping a close eye on their bottom line.

Robert Grant of Midboro Management led panelist attorneys John T. Van Der Tuin of Balber Pickard Battistoni Maldonado & Van Der Tuin PC and Joseph G. Colbert of Rosen & Livingston, in a discussion about the ramifications of the Pullman legal decision. The landmark ruling in 40 West 67th vs. David Pullman gave co-op boards the power to evict objectionable tenants as long as that is provided for in their governing documents and they act in good faith according to the provisions of the business judgment rule.

In "An Honest Appraisal: Safeguarding Your Apartment's Value," power broker Jacky Teplitzky of Douglas Elliman was joined by construction manager Stephen N. Carter of The Carman Group, interior designer Marilyn Sygrove of Sygrove Associates, and Alejandra Ligotti of Tango x 4, a home staging expert, in examining ways that shareholders and unit owners can protect and increase their apartment's value when they are ready to sell. "Making and Enforcing House Rules" ended the day on a lively note. Mary Ann Rothman of the Council of New York Cooperatives and Condominiums moderated a panel that featured Attorney Marc Schneider of Marc H. Schneider PC, Gregory J. Carlson of the Federation of New York Housing Cooperatives and Condominiums and Leslie Kaminoff of AKAM Associates. The speakers explained the goals of standard house rules, fielded dozens of questions, and provided advice to shareholders and board members as to how one can curb abuses of the rules. Tapes are available for purchase of each seminar or all four. Contact The Cooperator at 212-683-5700 for further information on how to order. Visit www.coopexpo.com for information on the 2005 expo event.