The annual New England Condo Conference & Expo presented by the CAI New England Chapter, the only not-for-profit member organization in New England representing the interests of thousands of community associations and professional managers, will take place on Saturday, October 22nd. For more than two decades this annual conference has been educating condominium homeowners, board members and professional managers as well as providing resources including products and services to address the maintenance, financial and governance needs of community associations around New England.
This full day, free event draws hundreds of condominium decision makers including board members and professional managers who participate in the many educational opportunities presented by industry speakers with professional experience and an understanding of the unique needs and challenges of association boards and the professionals who work with them.
The conference and expo is open and free to condominium homeowners, board members, managers and other industry professionals interested in finding out how to better manage day to day operations and address the industry challenges facing New England condominiums. The event will run from 8 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. and will include the following educational sessions in addition to a sold out exhibit hall.

10 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

Conflict in Condominiums:Understand the Issues
and How to Resolve Them
Explore the latest research sponsored by the CAI Foundation for Community Association Research on conflict in community associations. Based on findings of an original survey measuring the scope and scale of conflict in Greater-Boston area community associations, the research identifies sources of conflict and addresses who is most often involved in conflict as well as where and when conflict is most likely to take place. In addition, the study provides several prescriptions for how to manage conflict in your community.
Maintenance Panel Q&A:
Addressing Building and
Landscaping Issues
Building and property maintenance consume a large portion of a condominium's budget as well as the time and resources of busy volunteer board members and professional managers. This program will address a variety of maintenance issues ranging from common-area maintenance, repairs and improvements to landscaping and snow removal considerations and contracts.
Should your Association get FHA Approval? A Review of FHA Guideline Requirements
On June 30th, the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) published certification guidelines for community associations defining the standards associations must meet to make existing owners and prospective buyers eligible for FHA-insured mortgages. While the new guidelines were better in some respects, they were much worse for condominiums in others. With FHA certification becoming much more important for associations than it was in the past, find out how these troublesome provisions will impact board members, professional managers and owners.
Smoke Free Rules: Pros
and Cons Spark Debate
in Communities
In the condominium setting, smoking issues can turn a community upside down as residents debate the pros and cons of smoking policies as well as the smell and science of second hand smoke. This program will provide statistical data on the market demand for smoke-free rules in multi unit residential properties and provide a legal framework as well as practical considerations in establishing smoking rules in condominiums.
1 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.

Legal Panel Q&A: Condominium Law & Questions Answered
Condominium law is a complicated process of amended statutes, court rulings and case precedent. Boards and professional managers are confronted with the challenge of keeping pace with an ever-changing legal environment. This panel of seasoned condominium attorneys will address a variety of legal issues and provide suggestions to address everyday association situations.
Self Managed and Small
Association Challenges:
Addressing Unique Issues &
Finding Helpful Resources
The issues of condominium communities can be challenging, but are often times more complicated in the small and self managed association setting. Professionals familiar with the unique circumstances of these communities will provide helpful tips and resources for the small, self managed community struggling with few volunteer resources, financial shortfalls and limited access to professional advice. Learn how to make the most of what you have.
Snow & Ice - Who's Responsible? Snow Removal Contracts, Slip & Fall Liability, Insurance Considerations
When the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court (SJC) decided that it was time to discard the long-standing distinction between "natural" and "unnatural" accumulations of snow and ice, the slip-and-fall liability defense melted with it. Find out how associations, insurance companies and snow plow contractors are managing the new slip and fall questions that arise. From snow removal contracts to "reasonable care" responsibilities of association boards, the program will provide an overview of important changes in the way condominiums, contracts and insurers address winter weather related events.

For more information and to pre-register visit www.caine.org.