The Chicagoland Cooperator's Condo, HOA & Co-op Expo last fall was by all accounts a huge success; the November 16, 2011  event attracted thousands of attendees from all across the region for a full  day of education and networking.

 The day was especially terrific for Eddie Ford, a member of the 1700-04 West  Catalpa Condominium Association board in Andersonville, who was the lucky  winner of The Chicagoland Cooperator'sGrand Prize: a $2,500 contribution to his association's reserve fund, courtesy  of the Cooperator and parent company, Yale Robbins, Inc.  

 Ford says that he initially came to the Expo to check out the exhibitors and sit  in on a few seminars—but he certainly didn't expect to walk out with a check. “I'm the treasurer for my nine-unit building. We do everything ourselves, so I  wanted to see if there were services out there we could use. I also got info  from various roofers, because we needed a new roof. I got a lot of pamphlets  and business cards in a very short amount of time. It's easier than looking up  all the different condo-related vendors and contacting them. Plus I'm a sucker  for free stuff!”  

 Initially, Ford was dubious about his win. “I couldn't believe it,” he says, “But I followed up, and I'm glad I did. I never thought I'd be one of those  people holding a big prop check!”  

 Ford's association put the prize money towards their roof repair project. “Our reserves would have been frighteningly low after paying for the roof,” says Ford. “The timing couldn't have been any better.”  

 A Win-Win Proposition

 To celebrate The Chicagoland Cooperator’s Condo, HOA & Co-op Expo, now in its second year of serving Chicagoland’s building and condominium communities, we’ll be drawing another lucky board member’s name for the $2,500 Grand Prize when the Expo returns to the Navy Pier  Convention Center in Chicago on November 14, 2012 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.  

 The Expo is the biggest event of its kind, and will once again showcase hundreds  of exhibitors, from attorneys, to roofers, to managers and financial  professionals. The show will also feature a full roster of timely, informative  seminars, as well as free advice booths staffed by industry pros eager to help  condo, HOA and co-op board members and unit owners, building owners and  managers keep their building communities running smoothly.  

 So, remember to mark your calendars to attend the show on November 14, 2012—and if you’re on your building’s board, you’re eligible for the drawing for this year’s $2,500 Grand Prize!  

 The winner is drawn at random after the Expo following registration. If you're  the lucky winner, a check for $2,500 will be made payable to the winning  association board. Only board members qualify.  

 To enter the drawing, you must attend the Expo! For complete rules and entry  details, as well as information about exhibitors, seminars, and other  attractions, visit the Expo website at www.chicagocondoexpo.com.  

 So come to the Expo for your chance to win. Remember, you've got to be in it to  win it! Register for free admission at www.chicagocondoexpo.com.