The nonprofit Recreation Northwest will host its first-ever expo event from 4-8 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 13, at the Best Western Plus Lakeway Inn & Conference Center at 714 Lakeway Drive in Bellingham.

The free event will give attendees a chance to meet with health care professionals, nutrition experts, local gyms, personal trainers, bike shops, running stores, outfitters, outdoor media, outdoor activity clubs, stewardship organizations and agents from local recreation events and races.

Exhibitors include the Bellingham Parks and Recreation RACES program (which organizes the Runnin’ O the Green, Padden Triathlon, Fairhaven Runners Waterfront 15K and other events), Whatcom Events (Ski to Sea, Tour de Whatcom and Muds to Suds), Bellingham Bay Marathon, Run Like a Girl Half Marathon, Bellingham KIDS Traverse, Northwest Traverse Multi-Sport Series, Backcountry Essentials, Klicks Running and Walking, Greater Bellingham Running Club, Whatcom Mountain Bike Coalition, Mount Baker Experience, Adventures NW Magazine, Sustainable Connections and Bellingham Whatcom County Tourism. More exhibitors are likely to be announced over the next few weeks.

The expo will also feature two speakers: Heather Anderson, who holds the record for the self-supported fastest completion time on the Pacific Crest Trail; and Brandon Nelson, who recently set the Guinness Book of World Records 24-hour paddling record on Lake Padden. Both will share their stories and answer questions.

More information on the event and on Recreation Northwest can be found online at www.RecreationNorthwest.org.