Family Life Expo Brings Families and Small Business Together to Build the Billings Community

A family-centered event known to attract as many as 5,000 people will make its debut in Billings in February with special guest star Dora the Explorer taking center stage.

This inaugural event, Family Life Expo, will lift the entire family's spirits and help shake off the winter doldrums. Mark your calendars now for Saturday, February 6th.

Townsquaremedia Billings has lured the event to Billings. It was the brainchild of veteran organizers Mike Sutton, general manager, and Adella Sutton, director of sales and digital sales manager,. The Suttons have organized and hosted 24 Family Life Expo-style events throughout their careers. They have this down to a science and have seen firsthand the impact such an event can have on the community -- and its families.

And, they know a little something about families.The couple has five children, ages 10 to 27. Family is a passion, not just a project.

Family Life Expo is a one-day event that has two main focuses, Adella Sutton said.

The first is fun. The entire event is created to give families a fun form of entertainment, a little education and some tips on safety and information on products or services that can help your family.

The second is building Billings' small-business community.

"There are many businesses in Billings that have incredible products or services that you cannot find at a huge retailer," Adella said. "Our goal is to match great businesses that you might not know about and let them display or sample their products and services.  This is a perfect way to match busy moms with hard-to-find local businesses."

There is an undeniable synergy that transforms into excitement at these events and its all driven by the spirit of family.

"I love watching families come to an event like Family Life Expo and have fun together," Adella said.

This is a low cost event – just $5 per family -- no matter what size your family is.

"Dora the Explorer will be there," Adella said. "It is so fun to see a little kid meet Dora for the first time. You know, Dora is probably the biggest celebrity they have ever met at that point in their life."

"Kids enjoy movement and activity,"Adella said. " I also love the fact that moms can pack up the 2-year-old, the 8-year-old and a 15-year-old and there’s plenty for everyone to look at and do."

Matching up small local Billings’ businesses to local families is also pretty cool, Adella added.

"Small business and strong families – that’s how you build a community you can be proud of," she said. "I love this event – it does just that."

For all the details, click HERE.