Mark your calendars for Wednesday, May 12, 2010 – that’s when New England Condominium magazine’s annual New England Condo Expo returns to the Seaport World Trade Center at 200  Seaport Boulevard in Boston, showcasing over 150 exhibitors from all over New  England, along with free advice booths, targeted business opportunities and a  full slate of educational seminars which reflect the event’s new hours.  

 For more than two decades, New England Condominium’s parent company Yale Robbins, Inc. has been hosting successful trade shows for  the co-op and condo industry in both New York and New Jersey. This spring, New  England Condominium is pleased to invite New England’s property managers, trustees, and unit owners back to the Seaport venue to  partake in a day of networking, idea-exchange, and giveaways custom-tailored  for their unique market.  

 The New England Condo Expo (www. ne-expo.com) stands out as the premier real estate trade event in the  region, featuring exhibitors from every sector of the condo and HOA industry – including attorneys, property managers, financial advisors, interior and exterior maintenance contractors, landscapers, vendors, and professional organizations. This year’s event hours have been changed to 11:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. to make it even more  convenient for busy board members and property managers to attend.  

 It’s a well-worn truism that good information and clear communication are crucial for anyone involved with the administration  of a building or homeowners association – crucial for not just thriving, but even surviving, in today’s challenging economic times. The New England Condo Expo offers attendees the opportunity to do both, in one  day and under one roof, with a full slate of unique educational programming.  

 Full Day of Seminars

 This year, a full schedule of seminars will be presented, running into the early evening.

 New England Condominiumwill sponsor and present “Greening Your Condo,” which will address ways to save energy, reduce waste, and cut the condo’s carbon footprint.  

 “Conflict Resolution: Keeping the Peace,” sponsored by The Law Offices of Goodman, Shapiro & Lombardi, LLC, in Dedham, MA and Providence, RI, will teach attendees methods of handling disputes between quarreling neighbors and/or arguing board members to help avoid the cost and acrimony of litigation. Featured as  panelists are: Henry A. Goodman, Esq., Ellen Shapiro, Esq., and Frank Lombardi, Esq., all with Goodman, Shapiro & Lombardi.  

 “Secrets to a Productive Board/ Manage-ment Relationship” will highlight the best ways to achieve a productive, positive relationship among the  association manager, the condo board and its residents while avoiding missteps and mistaken communications.

 National Condo Advisors, LLC will talk about the consulting and condominium  project approval services they provide to builders, developers, investors and  HOA management.  

 And the seminar “Budgeting for Today – Making Smart Choices in Tough Times,” is sponsored by David A. Levy, CPA, PC in Brookline, MA. Levy, a  highly-experienced CPA, will focus on trimming your community’s budget without exposing your condo to liability or letting maintenance fall in  disarray. Also covered will be the latest techniques to increase cash flow and  minimize waste.

 Free Advice Booths & More

 Booths and a full schedule of seminars maybe the big draws at the Condo Expo, but that’s hardly the whole picture. 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 volunteer legal, management, maintenance and financial  professionals.  

 And of course, no trade show would be complete without giveaways and raffles.  This year will feature a new Reserve Fund prize giveaway, courtesy of New England Condominium and Yale Robbins, Inc. One attendee will win a $2,500 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 trustees 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.

 So stay tuned to New England Condominium magazine for updates and new additions to the Expo’s exhibitor and seminar roster, and be sure to visit us at the Seaport World TradeCenter on May 12th! 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.ne-expo.com.