When we started dreaming about who we wanted to partner with for our very first SPORTAMii Mix & Mingle, one name immediately came to mind: MEC.
From the beginning, we knew we wanted our first event to be more than just a gathering. We wanted it to represent what SPORTAMii is all about, bringing people together, creating meaningful connections, and making it easier for adults to find friends through shared interests.
MEC felt like the perfect fit.
If you’ve ever followed MEC’s social media or stepped into one of their stores, you’ll know what we mean. There is something incredibly authentic about the brand. Their content feels down to earth, their staff genuinely share a passion for the outdoors, and they create a space that feels welcoming rather than intimidating.
That was something we really connected with.
For years, MEC has been a place where people go to prepare for their next adventure. Whether it’s hiking, camping, climbing, cycling, paddling, watersports, or exploring somewhere new, MEC has helped countless people get outside and experience everything the outdoors has to offer.
But what really drew us to MEC wasn’t just their connection to outdoor adventure, it was their belief that adventure should be accessible to everyone.
MEC brings together some of the biggest names in outdoor gear alongside their own high quality products and more accessible options, creating a space where people with different experience levels, budgets, and interests can all find something that works for them.
That was incredibly important to us!!!
When we created SPORTAMii, we wanted to build something for everyone. Whether you’re someone who has been playing sports for years, someone who wants to try something new, someone who has just moved to a new city, or someone simply looking to meet people who share the same interests, everyone should have a place to belong.
We wanted the partners we worked with to reflect those same values.
So when we reached out to MEC and they were excited to learn more about what we were building, it was such a special moment for us. Having a brand that shares our passion for community, connection, and the outdoors welcome us into their space felt like the perfect way to launch our first ever Mix & Mingle.
And the evening was everything we hoped it would be.
We welcomed 150 people into the MEC Vancouver store, many of whom arrived not knowing anyone else there. Everyone came with the same intention... to meet new people, make friends, and find their next adventure buddy.
Throughout the evening, conversations started between strangers, new connections were made, and people discovered others who shared their passions, whether that was hiking, biking, climbing, running, or simply exploring the outdoors.
Seeing people walk through the doors with a little bit of courage and leave with new connections was exactly why we started SPORTAMii.
Making friends as an adult can be challenging. It takes effort to put yourself out there, try something new, and start a conversation with someone you’ve never met before. But events like this remind us that so many people are looking for the same thing...community.
A huge thank you to MEC for believing in our vision and helping us bring our first SPORTAMii Mix & Mingle to life.
We can’t wait to keep creating more opportunities for people to find their people whether that’s a hiking buddy, tennis partner, climbing friend, or someone to explore with.
