In the midst of a chilly New England winter, spring may seem ages away. But professionals serving the community associations industry are already preparing to showcase their businesses at the New England Condo Expo in May.

Exhibitors, from attorneys to roofers to managers and financial professionals, have already secured their spaces for the Condo Expo from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 22 at the Seaport World Trade Center in Boston. Along with the trade show, the event will feature educational seminars and free advice booths designed to help condo board members, owners and managers keep their communities running smoothly.

Can Your Community

Use a Little Extra Cash?

Of course, in addition to useful information and advice, you could be a big winner in helping your condominium association survive in these tough economic times.

The 2012 event once again will feature the very popular New England Condo Expo Reserve Fund drawing. One lucky board member or trustee will win a cool $2,500 for their building or association’s reserve fund, courtesy of New England Condominium, the sponsor of the Expo itself.

The big winner in 2011 was Bob Cyr, board chairman for The Esplanade, a 140-unit, 55-and-older condo community in Hudson, Massachusetts. “I was totally amazed—I’m still kind of stunned,” said Cyr upon accepting his community’s winnings from the publishers of New England Condominium. He said The Esplanade recently had to raise its maintenance fees, but “The funds will go a long way into paying off our electrical bills, things like that. It’s going to be money well spent for everyone who lives here.”

And according to Cyr, winning the prize money is just one reason to make the New England Condo Expo an annual must-see. “We learn a lot down there. We get lots of free information which is good—and legal advice. As far as new products coming in, as far as economics go and the way everything is going these days, it’s been very helpful, it really has.”

“2011 was our third Expo,” Cyr continues. “We went to the first one with just two of us and another board member. This past one, there were five of us that went. I enjoy it, and [fellow trustees] are starting to get into it more. We get more involved as time goes on.”

If you want to help your condo community, remember to mark your calendars for the upcoming Condo Expo. And, just by attending you could be the 2012 winner. The winner of the Reserve Fund prize will be drawn at random after Expo registration has closed, and a check for the winnings will be made payable to the winner’s association board, care of their management company. Only trustees qualify to enter the 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.ne-expo.com.

Seminars and Much More

Good information and clear communication are crucial for anyone involved with the administration of a building or homeowners association—crucial not just to thriving, but surviving in today's challenging economic times. Finding that information and developing communication strategies isn't always easy, however. The New England Condo Expo offers the opportunity to do both, in one day and under one roof.

Last year's seminars attracted standing-room-only audiences, and another great line-up is planned for the 2012 event. To see what’s on tap in May, keep an eye on upcoming issues of New England Condominium, or visit the Expo website, www.ne-expo.com, for the latest news.

So...while your 2012 calendar is handy, mark the date now—Tuesday, May 22, 2012—and get ready for an information-packed day at the New England Condo Expo in Boston. And don’t forget—you can register online for free at www.ne-expo.com.