Annual Expo attracts largest group of vendors in its history.

Seeking valuable contact with such end-users as cooperative and condominium board members, property managers, industry professionals and contractors, 260 vendors and service providers will display their latest products and services at The Cooperator's 20th Annual Co-op & Condo Expo on Wednesday, April 25, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., at The Hilton New York, 1335 Avenue of the Americas, announces Henry, executive vice-president of Yale Robbins, Inc., the show's producer.

The range of exhibitors covers nearly every operational, design and mechanical need of area co-ops and condos. From heating oil and fire protection companies to banks, security technology and window replacement, the newest products and services for residential buildings are being displayed on three floors of the hotel.

"Vendors at this show reach nearly 4,000 prospective clients in a single day," says Robbins. "The co-op and condo market has been vibrant for several years and the people who service it recognize the Expo as an ideal opportunity to reach their client base. Last year, over 50 percent of the booths were sold before the exhibitors had even finished breaking down."

The Expo's free seminar roster has also expanded with six new offerings--up from four in previous years--addressing seminal issues facing decision-makers in co-ops and condos:

"Funding Capital Improvements," is a high-powered discussion on innovative financing strategies for buildings and boards planning capital improvement projects, sponsored by Meridian Capital Group.

A look at financially viable heating and cooling options, such as steam, is the focus of "Challenges and Solutions in Heating & Cooling of Residential Properties," sponsored by Con Edison Steam.

"Surviving the New Energy Reality" offers a hard look at the current state of the energies commodities market and tools available for dealing with it more prudently, sponsored by Hess Corp.

Challenges in building governance such as new regulations and changes in paperwork requirements will be the focus of "Understanding Association/Cooperative Governance," sponsored by law firm Stark & Stark.

"Telecom for Value" addresses the latest telecommunications technologies available to residential communities, sponsored by Verizon.

"Co-op to Condo Conversion--A How To," sponsored by ROA Hutton, introduces one of the hottest topics for cooperative boards of directors. "In the past few years, people attending the Expo have demonstrated how serious they are about their assets and homes," adds Mr. Robbins.

"Whether the increase in participation is commensurate with higher prices or simply a product of the times, the demand for more serious seminar topics has directly influenced the subject matter of the presentations."

Over the course of two decades, The Cooperator's Annual Co-op and Condo Expo has tripled in size and consistently offered an array of new and exciting seminars, but such popular features as Free Advice booths, complimentary copies of The Cooperator's "Official Directory of Co-op & Condo Services;" Cyber Cafe; and gourmet Food Court are still important parts of the day's events.

For the 20th Annual Co-op & Condo Expo, the sponsors have also added an on-site bookstore with regular book signings by participating authors.

Admission and seminars are free of charge, but pre-registration is always recommended. It may be implemented online at www.coopexpo.com or by telephone at 1-800-893-7949.