Whether you're a board member, a manager, or a unit owner, you know how crucial  good information and clear communication is to the operation of a successful  condo or homeowners association—especially these days, when the economy is taking such a toll on so many  communities.  

 If you're an HOA administrator or a community association member, it's easy  enough to recognize what your board and residents need. Knowing where to find  that information and learning all those strategies can be tough, however.  Fortunately, there are resources to help you and your building or association—and one key resource is The New Jersey Cooperator’s annual Condo, HOA & Co-op Expo, which will return to the Meadowlands Expo Center in Secaucus for  its fifth year on Wednesday, May 9, 2012 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.  

 Along with nearly 200 exhibitors from across the condo, HOA and co-op service  spectrum, the Expo will treat attendees to a full roster of information-packed  seminars, sponsored by some of the top vendors and service providers working  with New Jersey's residential real estate industry. Expert panelists will  discuss a wide array of timely topics that every association administrator  should be conversant with, and attendees will have the opportunity in most  cases to ask specific questions and get expert feedback as well.  

 Seminars Running All Day

 Free seminars are open to all attendees. Seminars will run from 11:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.  

 They will include:

 “The Big Five: Top Issues for Associations” Sponsored by Association Advisors. This seminar will give HOA board members the  edge in dealing with some of the biggest challenges they face in their  community's day-to-day operations: handling collections, understanding fiscal  responsibility, managing committees, following proper board procedure, and  selecting vendors. If you have questions about how to ensure your HOA's  all-important cash flow, how to promote community participation among  residents, or how to manage your finances, budgets and assessments, you can't  afford to miss this targeted panel discussion.  

 “Legal Lessons: Who to Call, How to Budget, and What Your Board Can Learn from  Others” Sponsored by Stark & Stark. Speakers will discuss and dissect recent New Jersey legal cases and how  they relate to the issues faced every day by New Jersey's condominiums, HOAs  and co-ops. The speakers will also provide advice as to how best to utilize legal counsel,  what role management should play vis-a-vis pending legal issues and how to  prepare, and stay on track with, a legal services budget.  

 “Making the Most of Your Board/ Management Relationship” Sponsored by Associa. This seminar will discuss how boards and property managers can collaborate to  develop and nurture a positive, productive relationship. Things that might be  discussed are: when to call your manager vs. when to manage an issue in-house;  what managers wish their boards knew; board/management do's & don'ts—common mistakes/misunderstandings and tips for avoiding and/or repairing them.  

 “New Rules, New Challenges: Getting FHA Approval” Sponsored by MetLife. Obtaining federally-backed funding in today's economy can  often be a complex and confusing process. Speakers from MetLife will discuss  new rules and requirements for condominium project funding approval through the  Federal Housing Administration (FHA). Learn what services are available to  builders, developers, lenders, investors, and homeowner's associations, and how  this process can be streamlined to ensure financing for both condominium  purchasers and the success of these developments.  

 In addition to the formal seminars, the Expo's popular free advice booths will  again be available to all attendees. If you have questions about your  association’s finances, policies or day-to-day management, follow the signage and stop by  one of the booths for answers from leading legal, management, insurance,  maintenance and financial professionals.  

 Giveaways

 No trade show is complete without a few giveaways, and the New Jersey Expo is no  different. Along with raffles, drawings, and promotional prizes given away by  individual exhibitors at their booths, returning this year is the Grand Prize  Reserve Fund drawing, courtesy of The New Jersey Cooperator and Yale Robbins,  Inc. One lucky board member will win a $2,500 contribution to his or her  building association's reserve fund.  

 All offers are subject to terms and conditions. For complete terms and  conditions, go online to www.nj-expo.com/conditions.  

 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.nj-expo.com.