Publications & Sites 
Trade show offers advice on real estate
Updated: April 10, 2012 7:42PM
If you’re looking for a vast amount of information about real estate — everything from renovation projects to ownership legalities — you should hit the Association of Condominium, Townhouse and Homeowners Associations, aka ACTHA, Spring Conference & Trade Show on April 21 at Drury Lane, 100 Drury Lane, in Oakbrook Terrace.
It’s a huge event, because ACTHA focuses on community associations — condominiums, townhomes, HOAs and co-ops in Chicago, Cook, Lake, Will, McHenry, Kankakee and other collar counties throughout Illinois. The group has a far reach and offers knowledge, resources and educational seminars.
ACTHA, which is based in downtown Chicago, is celebrating its 30th anniversary, and I recently joined after realizing how helpful its members are, especially executive director Gael Mennecke. Thanks to a special offer through April 16, community associations can join and take $30 off their new membership (individuals can join too and get a discount through that date also). Just go to www.actha.org, click on “Join Now,” and use “website” as the promo code.
The ACTHA trade show, which promises to be chock full of info, is free from 8 to 11:30 a.m. It’s a great way to meet more than 100 pros from a variety of trades so bring your project plans, said Mennecke. There’ll be experts on hand from trades including painting contractors, roofers, decorating and construction, mold management, tree care, architects and engineers, landscapers, attorneys, restoration groups, pool care people, windows and doors folks, and a whole lot more.
Parking is free, and so is breakfast, but Mennecke asks that people pre-register at the Web site above because she’d, “hate to run out of food.”
New exhibitors are being added daily (list also on website, www.actha.org) and you can conduct one-on-one interviews of companies, as you network and enjoy a free continental breakfast.
“It’s a great way to narrow down your search,” said Mennecke. “The people in this industry really want to help. They want to share their knowledge.”
Also offered will be “Ask the Experts,” advice answered from professionals in accounting, banking/lending, insurance, legal and management. To celebrate anniversary #30, there’ll also be cash drawings.
What’s really unique about ACTHA — which also offers monthly webinars — is that it is the only organization in the country run by a volunteer board of directors who are all primary residents in community associations, so they know the issues and problems that arise and can address them from a board member’s perspective, said Mennecke.
All exhibitors, speakers and breakfast sponsors (again, list on website) have guest passes that get you in for the full day of the event for $30, which allows access to seminars and a sit-down banquet lunch. Feel free to contact them for a pass.
The deadline to register online is noon April 18, and it’s $20 extra if you register at the door on event day. Without a pass, members are $45, non-members $120.
