Thousands of Puerto Ricans streamed into the island’s main convention center with notebooks in hand to learn how to prepare for a potential move to Florida at a time when the U.S. territory is struggling to retain people amid an economic recession.

Florida Expo organizers said more than 7,000 people signed up for Saturday’s free event, which became a sort of one-stop shop for those seeking job opportunities, better quality of life and recommendations for the best neighborhoods and schools.