By Allison Freeman, CEO, Element Event Solutions.
Our industry provides a deeply valuable service to Canadians. Those of us who live it know it. In our post-pandemic world, there is a rising consciousness of the critical impact of in-person events and gatherings on the overall health and well-being of individuals and our broader society, and it’s only just begun. At this year’s CSE Live EventFest, our team proudly debuted our partnership with GenWell, the national movement committed to helping Canadians become healthier and happier through in-person connections.
Earlier this year, our Element Event Solutions (formerly Chair-man Mills) portfolio of companies became Genwell’s first National Sponsor with the goal of supporting and growing our event industry and helping to build a more connected Canada where everyone thrives. We’re committed to shedding light on the now indisputable fact that human connection is a fundamental pillar of well-being — as important to one’s health as exercise, nutrition and sleep.
Events have drawn people together around celebration, community and connection since time immemorial. Today, the celebrations, philanthropic events, corporate gatherings and community events we bring to life with our valued partners and clients offer Canadians a rich and beneficial platform for fostering relationships, collaboration and overall well-being.
The research is compelling: in-person social engagement has a direct impact on overall health, wellbeing, happiness and longevity. Gatherings allow participants to feel a sense of community and connection that has been proven to positively contribute to health markers like heart and mental health, blood pressure and immune resistance. In-person encounters also provide communal benefits such as the potential for greater dialogue and understanding amongst individuals and groups and a heightened sense of hope and harmony among attendees — outcomes that are profoundly important in today’s world.
For more than 112 years, our Element portfolio of companies has partnered with you – Canada’s event planners, caterers, venues and everyday hosts – to transform objects like chairs, tents, sofas and linens into foundational elements that set the stage for remarkable experiences and connections. Together, we’ve enriched the lives of millions, and yet much work is left to do. When EventFest wraps up, and we return to our daily activities, just imagine what could happen if we help to share the message that GenWell has vocalized since its founding: we can GENerate WELLness through the power of human connection.
The more light we shed on this important message, the better off we will all be.
Allison Freeman is CEO of Element Event Solutions (formerly Chair-man Mills Corp, Canada’s premier provider of tent and event solutions. Element proudly partners with Canada’s leading venues, caterers, planners and everyday hosts to deliver more than 30,000 memorable events per year. With nine brands from Vancouver to Halifax, the Element family of brands includes Event Rental Group, Contemporary Furniture Rentals, Regal Tent Productions, Advanced Tent Rental, A&B Partytime, Loungeworks, MacFarlands and Higgins Event Rentals.
To learn more about Element, visit their social media website.
