With the sun beating down on the shores of Lake Michigan and the mercury nudging  the top of the thermometer, it may seem strange to think ahead toward late  autumn and beyond, when the Chicagoland area's condo and HOA communities will  be battening down the hatches for another Midwest winter.  

 But thinking ahead is what good HOA administrators do best, and this November,  they can add a major tool to their arsenal—the first annual Chicagoland Condo, HOA, and Co-op Expo, to be held at Navy Pier  Convention Center on Wednesday, November 16, 2011 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.  

 More than just another trade show, the Chicagoland Expo will help connect  vendors and service providers with the decision-makers from HOAs, condominiums,  and residential co-ops across the region, and will offer educational seminars  custom-built for board/association members and property managers. The yearly pre-show 'Exhibitor University' (which  already welcomed its first graduating class on June 16th) will also help  exhibitors maximize their investment and get the absolute most out of the event  itself.  

 What It's All About

 Yale Robbins, Inc., The Chicagoland Cooperator’s parent company and producer of the Expo, has been sponsoring successful trade  events for the condo, co-op, and HOA community on the East Coast for years (the  New York show is over two decades old and going strong) and according to Yale  Robbins, Inc.'s executive vice president Henry Robbins, "We are thrilled to  bring this one-of-a-kind event to Navy Pier this fall and offer Chicagoland's  boards, managers, residents and vendors such a singular opportunity for  education and business-building."  

 The inaugural Chicagoland Condo, HOA & Co-op Expo will feature hundreds of exhibitor booths covering everything from  asbestos abatement to window replacement, and running the gamut of everything  in between— what Robbins describes as “sort of like a supermarket of service providers and new products.” That's in addition to informative seminars covering topics of perpetual  interest to administrators and residents alike; raffles, giveaways, and plenty  of space for relaxation and refreshment at the Expo food court.  

 For condo owners and managers, the Expo serves as a one-stop-shop for all  services needed to manage and maintain buildings. The event is mutually  beneficial to vendors as well, because as Robbins says, “We bring the business to you. The whole point of the show is to bring the right  people in the industry together. The Cooperator’s Expos have become a prime destination for real estate professionals and board  members seeking resources and valuable networks. In one day, you can network  across industries, gather information and leads, and get the latest and  greatest in products and services."  

 Information is Everything

 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 even surviving in today's challenging economic  times. Finding that information and developing communication strategies isn't  always easy, however. The Chicagoland Cooperator's Condo, HOA & Co-op Expo offers attendees the opportunity to do both, in one day and under  one roof, with a full slate of unique educational programming. This year's  seminars are already being planned, and include expert panel discussions of new  mortgage requirements, assessing management performance, and managing conflict  between neighbors. Seminars at the East Coast Expos routinely attract  standing-room-only audiences, so make sure to arrive early to the Chicago show  and claim a spot in the audience!  

 Free Advice Booths & More

 Booths and a full schedule of seminars may be the big draws to the Chicagoland  Expo, but that's hardly the whole picture. In addition to networking and  education opportunities, there will be free advice booths staffed by  professionals from an array of industries, waiting to answer any and all HOA-  and building-related questions. 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.  Among the day's big draws will be the first annual Reserve Fund prize giveaway,  courtesy of The Chicagoland Cooperator and Yale Robbins, Inc. One attendee at  the Expo will win a $2,500 contribution to their building or 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 association, 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.chicagocondoexpo.com.  

 So stay tuned to The Chicagoland Cooperator for updates and new additions to the  Expo’s exhibitor and seminar roster, and be sure to visit us at Navy Pier on  Wednesday, November 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.chicagocondo expo.com.    

 Hannah Fons is associate editor of The Chicagoland Cooperator.