The Mind-Body-Spirit-Life Expo celebrated its 4th Annual event with a day full of A-list presenters and local businesses. The one-day event brought over 70 local businesses and 22 speakers together to benefit attendees looking for solutions in all areas of life – mind, body, spirit home and career.

Attendees were lined up well in advance of the 11 a.m. door opening this past Sunday at the Warwick Crowne Plaza, and a crowd estimated at 1,200 was welcomed by businesses showcasing all types of products and services.

Inside you could find free massage and reiki, spiritual readings, health and wellness products and services, fitness instructors, local honey, tea and skin care products as well as jewelry, holiday gift ideas and products for the home.

The Expo is produced by Pat Paolino Cruz, who creates and coordinates business to consumer events throughout Rhode Island. Cruz, a graduate of Cranston West and resident of Pawtuxet Village, said Warwick has been running events like this for over 17 years. Sunday's event was more than a holistic event or health and wellness event. It brought businesses together from multiple industries in a way that allows guests to enjoy more, learn more and have an opportunity to shop more – and locally.

The event spotlighted powerful guest speakers with an array of topics from healthy eating, weight loss, meditation, overcoming stress and anxiety, hypnotism, healthy aging and life transformation.

Local businessman Dr. Michael Nula, a physical therapist and founder/owner of Elite Physical Therapy in Cranston, spoke on how to prevent common injuries. Two stages were set up and held sessions every half hour and included two prominent keynote speakers – Roland Comtois and Rhys Thomas.

Thomas is a visionary author of the International Best-Selling Book, "Discover Your Purpose: How to Use the 5 Life Purpose Profiles to Unlock Your Hidden Potential and Live The Life You Were Meant to Live.” Roland Comtois is an internationally acclaimed channel, inspirational speaker and best-selling author of “And Then There Was Heaven, A Journey of Hope and Love” and “16 Minutes…When One Breath Ends, Another Begins”.

“Both Thomas and Comtois presentations had every seat filled with people sitting on the edge of their chairs,” said Paolino-Cruz. “There are so many things to say about the event. Guests had great opportunity to see and learn so much by what the participating businesses had to offer and were able to take advantage of exclusive show specials and sales.”

“Businesses such as these are the cornerstone to our local economy and it's important to support them. Our events bring those businesses together for one day, under one roof,” Paolino-Cruz continued.

“It serves as a co-op to advertise and cross-promote and, brings hundreds of consumers face to face with their pop-up shop doorstep. [These] events provide an opportunity for participating businesses to forge personal connections and create business relationships first hand with local consumers, which would take thousands of dollars if they had to do it on their own. The show obviously benefits businesses, but additionally benefits local consumers. The shows provide fun atmosphere and great day out and also saves guests time and money by bringing great businesses from around the state together in one day. We relate it to going to the mall and, instead of shopping the national chain stores who can afford the expensive mall retail space, we focus on the local businesses with, local products and local services. Such a win-win for everyone."

Cruz mentioned exclusively that next year's event is already in the works and will include additional highlights providing more hands-on experiences for guests. For information on how to become involved visit www.mindbodyspiritri.com.