Board approves $16,665 pilot budget for Connecticut Paid Leave Family Expo

The Connecticut Paid Leave Authority board voted to adopt a $16,665 budget to sponsor a pilot Family Expo planned for October 2025, the agency’s outreach staff told the board on Jan. 9.

Nicole presented a project plan for the authority’s first agency‑hosted Family Expo, describing goals to attract 100–200 attendees, provide a resource fair for parents, and offer children’s activities (crafts, costume encouragement, a photo booth, face painting, and a touch‑a‑truck element with Hartford public safety partners). The team proposed Hartford as the initial pilot location, with the option to rotate the event to other parts of the state in future years.

Marketing and outreach staff outlined a promotion strategy that would include a dedicated digital campaign targeting parents and expectant parents, reallocation of some Hartford‑market ad buys, outreach to local media partners, targeted family sites (for example, MommyPoppins, Macaroni Kid), Eventbrite registration, and direct partner outreach. Jessica (digital outreach lead) presented 2024 digital metrics to show the authority’s current reach and noted the team will leverage its existing channels.

Nicole reviewed a draft budget breakdown: venue $1,500; decorations $550; entertainment (face painting $550, balloon twisting $550); craft supplies and miscellaneous (including a Polaroid photo booth) $2,000; advertising and promotional materials $10,000; contingency $1,515; total $16,665. The board discussed venue selection (public spaces preferred for weekend organic traffic) and whether Hartford would reach the statewide audience; members suggested rotating the event to other regions in future years. Staff said the outreach budget already contains funds that will cover the expo, though the line item was not specifically identified when the budget was set months earlier.

Board members asked about sponsors and were told the authority is not counting on paid sponsorships but would welcome them; vendors would be expected to cover their own tabling fees unless sponsorships are secured to pay for entertainment or other services.

A motion to adopt the proposed Family Expo budget passed by voice vote with no opposition or abstentions noted. Staff said registration would open in late August, vendor commitments would be secured in February, and further logistical planning would continue through the spring and summer.

Staff noted planned partner outreach to SBA, CBIA, Hartford area schools and community groups, and that the authority will provide staff‑led outreach and promotional support to the event.