The seventh annual Condo, HOA & Co-op Expo presented by the New Jersey Cooperator brought thousands of board members, managers and service providers to the Meadowlands Expo Center in Secaucus on May 7th. The Expo is a fixture on the calendar of board members, building management and residents—providing networking, information and educational opportunities for condo, co-op and HOA boards and residents throughout the tri-state area.

The attendees spent the day visiting over 250 exhibit booths, free advice booths and informative educational seminars.

“Obviously our goal is to present attendees with information and products that will make running their buildings easier and more efficient,” says Yale Robbins, president of Yale Robbins, Inc., Expo producer and publisher of The New Jersey Cooperator, “but we also put a great deal of thought into the bigger picture, anticipating trends and trying to broaden what we provide from one year to the next.”

Henry Robbins, executive vice president and director of sales for Yale Robbins, Inc., added that despite the economy, the Expo has grown each year since the show’s inception. “It's really our exhibitors and our attendees who make this show what it is,” says Robbins. “Their enthusiasm and interest is contagious—the fact that the event grows and draws more people each year is proof of that.”

What Show-Goers Had to Say

Piscataway board member Louis D'Angelo had a great time at the Expo, his fourth time in attendance. “I learn so much here. I get all of my questions answered. I met so many people from so many companies. It's great to be able to talk to people face-to-face and not on the computer,” noted D’Angelo. “You never know what's going to happen. We might need a new roof, or we might need to find a new landscaper, or maybe someone you've been doing business with for years closes...now I have all the names of the companies who I can call. I can share it with everyone.”

Board member Cathleen Reid from Clifton found her time at the show was well spent. She attended primarily to gather pricing information that she could bring back to her board related to various products and services. She compiled information on bike storage, management and landscaping for future reference. She also liked attending the seminars.

Rose Oterra, a board member from Livingston, also said she found her trip to the Expo worthwhile. “We are trying to make our association very green. I was able to learn so much about how to do that. Light bulbs, energy systems and so much more. Everyone knew what they were talking about. I learned so much.”

A Day of Learning

One of The New Jersey Cooperator’s annual Expo mainstays is the educational seminars. The seminars began with an in-depth look at the “Secrets to a Successful, Efficient & Productive Board.” In this New Jersey Cooperator-sponsored seminar, industry insiders discussed how to make a board as successful and efficient as possible and keep the association running smoothly.

Another popular topic looked at pest control issues in “Roaches, Bedbugs and Mice—Oh My!” This seminar examined the legal and financial responsibilities that property managers and boards have in providing a habitable, pest-free residence. Additionally, pest control experts were on hand to explain the ins-and-outs of how to do just that.

“At a Premium: Rising Insurance Costs” was sponsored by Association Advisors. Seminar experts Lawrence N. Sauer of Association Advisors, Hubert Cutolo, Esq of Cutolo Mandel, LLC and Caesar V. Mistretta of HUB International Northeast, told the attendees what an association can do to reduce their insurance costs and liabilities.

Attorney Donald B. Brenner, Esq., of Stark & Stark was the presenter for “Construction Litigation: What to Expect, How to Recover Your Damages and Fix Your Buildings Without Going Broke.” In this discussion, Brenner evaluated how to justify construction defect litigation costs, examined the insurance and claims process, and suggested the best ways to finance fees paid out to professionals and attorneys working on the case.

A standing-room only crowd turned out to listen to “Breaking Bad – An Insider’s Guide to Bylaws & Rules,” sponsored by The New Jersey Cooperator. Attendees heard experts discuss the keys to drafting, enacting and enforcing bylaws and house rules and the proper methods of changing them. Panelists also discussed the role of the association's attorney.

Gifts & Giveaways

Exhibitors come to the Expo each year to get their products and services in front of thousands of building decision-makers; attendees come for information, education and, of course, prizes. Exhibitor-sponsored prizes at the 2014 show included gift cards, restaurant discounts, sports tickets and the grand prize, a $2,500 contribution to one lucky board member for their building's reserve fund, courtesy of Yale Robbins Publications and The New Jersey Cooperator.

And, lines formed throughout the day for the free advice booths, where attendees were able to get their questions answered by management, legal, financial and building service professionals, who generously donated their time in the advice booth area.

Next Year’s Expo…

Even before the 2014 Expo closed shop, planning and preparation began for the May 6, 2015 show, which promises to be bigger and more extensive than ever. Stay tuned to www.nj-expo.com for more information, important deadlines and online registration.

Liam P. Cusack is the associate editor of The New Jersey Cooperator.