Doubting the value of hosting an in-person event this holiday season? A wide assortment of data and more than a century of experience make a compelling case for raising the tent or planning the festive tablescape. Teams, communities, small groups and families need to gather from time to time — not always to attain a goal or complete a task, but to strengthen bonds and support the well-being of their members. Had we not arrived at this conclusion through our experience in the industry, we would have figured it out through our collaboration with GenWell, Canada’s human connection movement.
In 2016, GenWell set out to solve the issues of social isolation, disconnection and loneliness that are often linked to mental and physical illnesses. Their arrival onto the scene has been a breath of fresh air. We discovered GenWell close to two years ago as we searched for a charitable partner with a purpose aligned with our own — to bring people together to experience genuine moments of connection. We reached out to Pete Bombaci, its founder, and quickly realized we were both working to solve the same societal issue, albeit from different perspectives.
As a registered charity working with business, government and individual Canadians, GenWell is big on data and measuring the impact of its work. Its website is filled with data and stories that demonstrate the human, business and societal costs of disconnection. In its Knowledge Hub, for example, businesses can discover the science behind the movement through short articles, presented in clear categories. This is particularly valuable to small and medium-sized businesses, as they look for ways to invest in their team members, expand relationships with clients or just create memorable experiences for stakeholders.
Time and time again, GenWell research shows that Canadians who participate in live events report a clear boost to their health and wellness. This summer, the World Health Organization featured GenWell in its report, From loneliness to social connection. WHO cited the experience of GenWell Weekends, the nationwide connection campaigns that take place semi-annually, and reports that participants leave encounters with others with a deeper appreciation of social health and inspired to take more steps to build connections in the future. The implications are enormous. In our families, it can mean the difference between despair and renewed dignity, physical and mental distress versus balanced health. In workplaces, they highlight the importance of communication and relationships in promoting engagement, loyalty and professional growth. For our team, it confirms what we see every day — intentional, in-person events play an important role in strengthening social bonds and promoting the well-being of those in attendance.
With a staff of more than 500 event professionals working across the country, we’ve got our fingers on the pulse of the events industry. In an average year, we help Canadians, organizations and industry partners — event planners, venues and caterers — organize and execute more than 35,000 memorable events. Speaking with them regularly, the process of planning and hosting an event is, in fact, a dynamic, real-time focus group. This year, on the corporate front, we’re hearing a lot of excitement for year-end holiday events, and for intimate gatherings that truly allow for quality moments among teams, partners and customers. This has us feeling very encouraged.
“Employees perform better when they have a sense of belonging, and that sense of belonging is heightened when companies take time to celebrate in the form of gatherings and corporate holiday parties, among other things,” says Pete Bombaci, president of GenWell. “Behind every screen, closed door, and ordinary day, there’s a person who matters. Events like these convey that in ways that words simply cannot — and the benefits are long-lasting.”
Whether it’s because of solid research or observations of your own, I hope you’ll agree that the act of gathering your team for a celebratory event this fall is one of the best ways to end the year – and begin the next.
In 2024, Element Event Solutions partnered with GenWell, Canada’s human connection movement. Led by Pete Bombaci and Allison Freeman, the partners and their teams aim to educate, empower and catalyze people in Canada about the importance of face-to-face social connection to improve their health, the health of others and the well-being of society.
Allison Freeman is CEO of Element Event Solutions, Canada’s premier provider of event and tent solutions, founded in 1911 under the name Chair-Man Mills Corporation. To learn more about Element Event Solutions, visit their website and social media pages.
