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Ever thought of owning a second home? With boomers seeking the perfect retirement destination, young families dreaming of a fun weekend retreat and stressed-out professionals looking for a relaxing getaway from the corporate world, more Americans than ever before are saying "yes” to second-home ownership. Escapes! Second-Home Expo, a monumental, two-day extravaganza of dream living destinations in Texas, the U.S. and around the world, comes to The Woodlands Waterway Marriott Hotel and Convention Center on Saturday and Sunday, April 19-20, with answers to every possible question about owning a second home. "We are so excited to have the opportunity to bring this extraordinary event - the first of its kind in the country - to the Houston area,” said Tony Wood, president of Texwood Shows, Inc. Wood said that recent statistics reflect that 57 percent of homeowners age 55-64 will purchase a second home within five years. "And a study by the National Association of Home Builders reports that ten million baby boomers will own a second home by 2010.” Wood added that the Houston Metro area is home to 1.3 million baby boomers. "To help meet the growing demand for information on all aspects of the second-home market, we thought it was important to bring all the resources that people need to make decisions about buying a second home together in one place.” This spectacular event brings together, in one place and in one weekend, representatives of some of the most exciting U.S. and international second-home destinations available. Exhibitors showcasing the hottest vacation, retirement and second-home properties worldwide will be joined by distinguished speakers who have the answers to every possible question on buying and owning a second-home. Millions of Americans are enjoying the luxury of a second home. What used to be a reality only for the elite is now a growing trend. Expo attendees will be able to get all the information needed to look for a relaxing vacation home, the perfect retirement community, a lucrative investment property or a fun family retreat. More than 40 seminars will be presented by top industry experts on three Expo Stages: the Texas Stage, sponsored by Farm Credit; the International Stage, sponsored by Stewart Title; and U.S. Destinations Stage, sponsored by Fairway Living. Wood is also pleased to have as Expo sponsors the Mexico Board of Tourism, Houston Chronicle, Texas Monthly, the Travel Channel and Continental Airlines. Internationally Acclaimed Speakers - Hot Topics DR. Jim Gaines, research economist at the highly acclaimed Real Estate Center at Texas A & M, will provide an insightful analysis of current real estate trends in Texas and the long-term forecast for the real estate boom in Texas. Learn why Texas is now the No. 2 U.S. retirement destination, surpassing Arizona and California – Florida is still No. 1, but the Lone Star State is gaining! His sessions on the Expo's Texas Stage will also provide second-home buyers with specific data on popular second-home destinations, including the Hill Country, East Texas and the incredibly popular Texas Gulf Coast. Mitch Creekmore, co-author of "Cashing in on a Second Home in Mexico” and executive vice president, Stewart International, says "Mexico has it all!” He will discuss why Mexico is the No. 1 retirement destination for North Americans and how to own residential real estate south of our border. Get answers to these questions and more: What is a "fideicomisco?” - Who closes the transaction in Mexico? - What are the hot markets? Creekmore also comes to the Stewart International Stage in separate sessions to discuss second-home ownership in the popular destinations of Panama, Costa Rica and the Caribbean. Adsinar Cajar Bocek, Consulate General of Panama (Houston), will discuss the Pensionado Visa, a retiree benefits program, and talk about why Panama is paradise for retirees. He will lead a forum of dynamic panelists that includes Panamanian professionals who will speak to the real estate, financial and legal/residency aspects of home ownership in Panama – all on the Stewart International Stage. Samantha Brown, lively and vivacious Emmy Award-winning host on The Travel Channel, stays busy guiding her TV viewers through destinations in Latin America, Europe, Hawaii and more! See her at the Expo's U.S. Destinations Stage. Steve Dering, pioneer of the Equity Residence Club concept, will discuss this specialized form of fractional ownership that has become the fastest-growing segment of the vacation real estate industry – on the Texas Stage. Christine Karpinski, author of "How to Rent Vacation Properties by Owner,” is often referred to as the most respected voice in the vacation rental industry. As such, she is a frequent guest on CNN's "Open House,” Bloomberg's "Personal Finance” and other TV and radio shows and is often interviewed on real estate topics for The Wall Street Journal, Kiplinger's Personal Finance and more. U.S. Destinations Stage. ,p> And there even more experts with key second-home information, including: Christopher Hill, CEO of Stewart Title Latin America; Joe A. Patterson, Jr., VP and branch manager of Capital Farm Credit's New Braunfels credit office; Michael Gordon, VP, broker and director of real estate operations for Horseshoe Bay Resort on Lake LBJ; Cathi Montgomery, retired from the Department of Defense with numerous awards to her credit, now uses her skills to help others in buying a second home; Brooke Blackwelder, with Huntsman Springs, will give an overview of the Teton Valley, Idaho; Rick Billington will talk about Branson, Missouri and the beautiful Ozark Mountains; and Stacy Germaniuk, with Bear Mountain Resort, will talk about all that Canada's largest and fastest-growing golf resort community has to offer. Exceptional Exhibitors The long list of Expo Exhibitors includes representatives from properties and developments in Mexico, Costa Rica, Panama, Belize, Central America, the Caribbean and golf communities and high-rise properties in the U.S. and worldwide. Texas properties in the mix include offerings in the Texas Hill Country - Horseshoe Bay, Lake Travis, Canyon Lake and more - and the rapidly growing Texas Gulf Coast, including Galveston, South Padre Island, Rockport and the Intracoastal Waterway area. Other unique destinations that are represented include the Branson area, Idaho, Colorado, the Rocky Mountains, New Mexico and much, more!

This global second-home expo is the FIRST OF ITS KIND in the country, AND IT’S COMING TO AN AREA NEAR YOU! The market for SECOND HOMES has never been HOTTER! * 10 million baby boomers will have second homes by 2010. * 57% of homeowners age 55-64 will purchase a second home within 5 years. * 27% of wealthy Americans own a second home, 17% intend to purchase. Join the millions of Americans who are enjoying the luxury of a second home - What used to be a reality only for the wealthy elite is now more affordable than ever! Whether you’re looking for a relaxing vacation home, the perfect retirement community, a lucrative investment property or a fun family retreat, all the information you need is at your fingertips at the Escapes! Second-Home Expo! Find your own piece of paradise! * Relax on the veranda of your beachfront hacienda on the Mexican Riviera. * Revitalize with a glass of wine at your cliff side villa on the sun-kissed Mediterranean coast. * Reflect on the sounds of nature from your rustic cabin in the Texas Hill Country. * Retreat to your romantic pied-a-terre. * Refresh your mind and body at your classic bungalow near a world-class golf course. * Retire to your lakefront home NOW and start making beautiful family memories today that you’ll have to look back on for years to come. Stop dreaming and get on board! Take your first step to second-home ownership - PLAN NOW to attend Escapes! Second Home Expo. Get on the inside track now. Learn how to LIVE THE AMERICAN DREAM - anywhere in the world! Over 200 exhibitors representing phenomenal properties in the US and all over the world will meet with you in person to show you hundreds of coastal, golf and lifestyle communities in one weekend! Find the second home that is perfect for you and get answers to all your questions about living the good life in your new home - * Locate exceptional property worldwide to rent, lease or own. * Discover 10 extraordinary retirement destinations within two hours of Houston. * Find the perfect golf community for you. * Learn how to locate medical care. * Find out about the best shopping and recreational activities in exotic locations around the world. We’ve done careful research to bring you top industry experts, best-selling authors, syndicated columnists, and local and international property specialists for seminars packed with a treasure trove of information. Here are a few things you can look forward to - * Important tips on how to finance your vacation property. * Investing in real estate - turn your second home into a lucrative venture! * Real estate strategies and laws of international financing - What you must know before buying. * Everyone wants to buy in an area that hasn’t yet reached its full potential in terms of price - We’ll show how to find THE NEXT "HOT SPOTS!"

Following are some Questions & Answers that people commonly ask about Escapes! Second Home Expo. Q. I would like to go to the show but don’t live in the area. What kinds of accommodations are available? A. You’re in luck! We’re holding this show at The Woodlands Waterway Marriott Hotel & Convention Center. Not only do they have a fabulous 70,000 square ft. space for the Escapes! Second Home Expo, you can call the place home while you’re at the show in one of their 340+ excellently appointed rooms or suites, complete with moveable desk, ergonomic chair and high-speed Internet capability. You can enjoy an elegant dinner with lush Waterway views at their Ristorante Tuscany; and relax at the ACQUA lounge, offering light fare and wines by the glass. Or enjoy your overnight stay in The Woodlands in one of these close-by hotels: * Homewood Suites by Hilton * Woodlands Resort & Conference Center * Drury Inn & Suites Houston * Hilton Garden Inn * Comfort Suites Near The Woodlands * Courtyard * Best Western The Woodlands * Residence Inn * Fairfield Inn & Suites * LaQuinta Inn & Suites * Oakwood Park at Research Forest Blvd Q. I’d like to practice my game while I’m there - any golfing in the area? A. With 36 holes of championship golf on two magnificent courses, The Woodlands Resort & Conference Center is one of the finest golfing destinations in Texas – and it’s just a few minutes away from The Woodlands Waterway. Q. I know there’s plenty of good food in Texas. What’s in The Woodlands? A. Fine dining is available at every turn! From Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar, to Goose’s Acre Bistro & Irish Pub, to Tommy Bahama’s Café & Emporium, you’ll find it all in The Woodlands. Q. Are there any properties close to the The Woodlands that I could actually visit while I’m in the area? A. Yes! The Greater Houston Area is blessed with gorgeous lakefront and bay area communities. Also, we’ll show you extraordinary retirement and second-home destinations within two hours of Houston. In fact, many citizens from around the world have found the calm of the forested areas of The Woodlands, combined with the urban buzz of its Town Center area, to be irresistible, making it the perfect place for a second home.

A monumental two-day expo of dream living destinations from Austin to Australia. Take advantage of this opportunity to visit over 10 countries and destinations all over the United States. Cover thousands of miles and investigate a variety of second, vacation and retirement home opportunities all in one afternoon. See properties and opportunities on the Texas Gulf Coast from Galveston to South Padre Island and the new emerging Texas Gulf Coast property in between. Beaches aren’t your thing but the scenic Texas Hill Country is? You’ll see it at the expo. The mountains have always captivated you? Investigate opportunities from the spectacular Rockies to the Smoky Mountains. Dreamed of retiring south of the border? Talk to representatives from properties/developments in Mexico, Costa Rica, Panama and Central America from the Pacific Coast to the Caribbean. From golf communities to high-rise properties, peaceful lake living to planned retirement communities, to a dream home with fishing, ocean views and surf at your doorstep this is where you want to be. The market for second homes has never been hotter! At Escapes! Second Home Expo you will have the benefit of meeting face to face with some of the world's best specialty exhibitors and renowned speakers to provide you with a wealth of information about second home ownership. Whether your ideal vacation home is 100 miles away or in another country this spectacular expo , Escapes! Second Home Expo is packed with all the resources you need to make your dream a reality. DON’T MISS OUT! Plan now to attend Escapes! Second Home Expo, at one of the nicest venues in Houston – The Woodlands Waterway Marriott Hotel and Convention Center. Learn from the experts and get the second home of your dreams, whether it’s for retirement, investment, a family retreat or a romantic getaway.

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Pre-purchased tickets are $10 online; $12 at the door. Ticket admits one adult for oneday of the Expo. Two-day passes available. For detailed information on seminar times, a list of exhibitors, hotel accommodations and area attractions, please visit the Web site below.

Escapes! Expo Web site