Mountain Equipment Co-op (MEC) has signed Clara Hughes as its newest ambassador. As a former Olympic athlete, one who is active outside and involved in many causes, Hughes and MEC have naturally compatible values. Hughes will team up with the co-operative to motivate Quebecers to lead more active outdoor lifestyles.
“Adventures can be lived anywhere: in the great outdoors, in an urban environment or in your neighborhood, on weekends or on weekdays” says Hughes. “Joy is the starting point with which to live each experience thoroughly. What attracts me to MEC, is the desire to explore and try new outdoor activities with its members.”
As a six-time Olympic medalist at the Summer Games in cycling and at the Winter Games in speed skating, Hughes has represented Canada around the world for over 23 years. Through the years she has made mental health her mission, and today she encourages young people to enjoy the benefits of physical activity in the great outdoors. For example, she supports an initiative in a small Labrador community to enable young people to be active outside. Although she has retired from competitive athletics, sports remain her medicine, and the great outdoors her playground to explore through running, walking and cycling.
Inspire and Connect
For the past four years, MEC has joined forces with individuals who are active outdoors and who share the same vision as MEC. Thus, Clara has naturally emerged as a leading candidate. “It is an honor to have someone of Clara's stature share her vision of what an active lifestyle is with our members. Her lifestyle, her philosophy and her actions will enable MEC to enhance its presence and to inspire more people to recreate outdoors,” says Noemi G. Labelle, Director of Marketing and Communications for MEC Quebec.
Canada's leading outdoor retailer, MEC is passionate about inspiring and enabling everyone to lead active outdoor lifestyles. From city streets and yoga studios to backcountry trails and pristine waterways, MEC matches people with expertise, experience, enthusiasm, clothing and gear for camping, winter sports, water sports, cycling, climbing, hiking, running and fitness. Through our commitment to 1% for the Planet, every year members' purchases allow us to donate one percent of sales ($3.2 million in 2014) to Canadian non-profit organizations that help conserve ecologically and recreationally important areas. MEC has more than 3.75 million members in Canada, with 600,000 members in Quebec. They are served via 17 stores in six provinces, online at www.mec.ca and through its iPhone app. Anyone can become a part of MEC with a $5 lifetime membership.
