A look at the last 15 years of growth at Saskatoon’s Handy Special Events

Diana Pereira’s goal is simple. 

“Delivering unforgettable experiences that blend personalized service, expert knowledge and innovative offerings – this is our goal and my personal passion,” explains the owner of Handy Special Events in Saskatoon. 

Pereira has worked hard to set her company apart by being a trusted partner in creating extraordinary, unique events that bring her clients’ visions to life, whether that’s a personal or a large-scale corporate celebration. 

“We have an interactive showroom that lets clients explore a wide range of options and customize products from signs and backdrops to arches, and even custom-coloured chairs,” Pereira explains. “We believe every event should reflect the unique style of each client, and we work with them until we have the perfect design. No matter the experience, we execute it with the same precision and care.”

Foundation to build on

It was 1982 when Barry and Marion Ghiglione first opened the broader business of Handyman Rental Centre, in a 2,800-square-foot building in one of Saskatoon’s industrial parks. They soon added special events rentals to their offerings, and a decade later, the expansions began. In 1992, they moved to 9,000-square-foot building and added a portable toilet division. In the following years, they purchased another 9,000-square-foot building next door and dedicated it to special events. They then moved all divisions into a building of 18,000-square-feet and then to their current location of 37,000 square feet.

Since the earliest days, Marion handled special events. Over time, she added costumes (the current inventory holds more than 800 costumes for all kinds of occasions), tent rentals, trade show items, specialty linens and structures like arches – becoming Saskatoon’s go-to place for any kind of event. In 2008, they hired a young woman named Diana. As Marion explained in our 2010 profile of the business, she and Barry recognized right away that their new employee was “very talented.”

“She had experience in organization and management, and so we moved her into human resources,” Marion explained back then. “A little later, she said yes to the next big step, when we asked her to fill the new position of chief operating officer.” 

In that powerful position, Pereira encouraged Marion and Barry to draft a mission statement for the business, including their core aims. It was a lengthy process and involved the entire team. This helped the team face challenges in the same direction together and set clear-cut goals. Barry and Marion stepped back a little and started spending more time on strategy, guidance and mentoring Pereira and other employees. By 2016, Pereira was made a part owner of Handy Special Events, and in 2023, and she and her family proudly took full ownership. 

Back row (from left): Maegan Klassen (tradeshow manager), Mia Pereira (event sales manager) Brian Schaan (director of tents and outdoor events), Ashton Gagne (operations manager), Taren Unruh (assistant store manager), Lara Pereira (marketing manager) Front row (from left): Koleton Vandenheuvel (operations logistic manager), Diana Pereira (owner), Eruzen Pereira (owner), Gabby Pereira (operations).
Photo: Handy Special Events

Industry trends

Analyzing the last decade and a half, Pereira notes that the event rental market in Canada has evolved in many ways. 

“In 2010, the industry was focused on basic items like tables, chairs and linens with minimal customization options,” she explains. “High-end products were reserved for large-budget events. But since then, the market has grown significantly, with increased competition. In fact, we’ve had over-saturation and lower prices to try and outcompete each other. Meanwhile, companies like Amazon and other retailers started selling lower-quality alternatives to the products we rent. But people have seen that investing in premium quality and customization makes an event truly stand out. And they understand that lower-quality items are too fragile for re-use, and end up in the landfill after the event.”

Today, Pereira describes the events rental market as experience-driven, offering high-end products to a wide range of clients. 

“Rentals now extend beyond just furniture to include interactive installations, customizable options like signs, backdrops, booths and props,” she says. “The focus has shifted from just renting products out to helping create personalized, immersive experiences. Sustainability is also a priority, with rental companies offering eco-friendly options and emphasizing community engagement.”

Inside the business

As these industry trends have played out, Handy Special Events has grown substantially over the last decade and a half. 

“We’ve stayed ahead of the curve,” Pereira says. “We’ve expanded beyond traditional event rentals to offer comprehensive planning and consulting services to cater to our clients’ unique needs. We’ve successfully ventured into new markets such as trade shows, festivals, weddings, other parties, event management and even commercial seasonal decorating packages.”

All this is delivered by Pereira’s team members, of whom she’s very proud – and who like to work for her. This is due to the fact that all of them are well-trained and confident in their roles, and to Periera’s strength-based approach. That is, she continuously assesses the strengths of team members and places them in positions where they excel and feel satisfied and happy. The average full-time employee (there are 49) stays with Handy for four years, and about a third have been on staff for over five years. Seasonal summer hires also have a high return rate.

And in terms of non-human assets, Handy’s collection of items is also special. Clients can choose from everything from bathtubs, phone booths and photo stations to props like stuffed animals (among them, a tall giraffe affectionately known as Frances) to stage-style backdrops and sets (for example, a ‘Santa’s Workshop’ that guests can enter and explore). 

And while many customers still like to rent items and plan their own events, Pereira says many clients are increasingly willing to invest in her personalized event design services and customized creations. 

“People want immersive, tailored event experiences, high-quality service and a lot of choice in product selection,” she explains. “People want to make their events truly unforgettable.” 

Lessons learned

Looking at the many things she’s learned, Pereira points to staying flexible as one that stands out. “Never get set in one way when it comes to either products and services,” she explains. “Always be open to growth, learning and innovation. If you stay responsive to customer needs and adapt to changes in the industry, you’ll continue to be relevant. Meeting new challenges and exceeding customer expectations supports ongoing success.” 

Pereira also points to the importance of treating staff as what they are, her biggest asset. “While great products are essential, it’s the people who truly make a difference in the business,” Pereira stresses. “And they must be supported. While it’s essential to ensure that we have the right people in the right roles at the right times, we also do our best not to over-staff when it’s not necessary, because overloading a team with too many members can sometimes create complexity. Additionally, it’s important that our team is enabled to maintain established procedures and workflows, that team members are protected from disruptions from preventable changes or inefficiencies.” 

This support for employees also extends to the people of Saskatoon. 

“We proudly support as many local vendors, events and causes as we can,” says Pereira. “We are passionate about giving back to a community that has given so much to us and doing our best to make it better.” 

Some causes she supports include Choc’ la Cure cancer fundraiser, the Children’s Festival, New Hope Dog Rescue and Haven’s Kids House.”

Reflections and future plans

Looking back at her journey with Handy Special events, Pereira says it began with a simple belief in the business’s potential. 

“I saw the opportunity to be part of something special – an event rental business that wasn’t just about tables and chairs, but about creating experiences, memories and moments that matter to people,” she says. “I poured my energy into learning every aspect of the business, from the logistics of operations to building relationships with clients and partners. Over time, it became more than a job. It became a calling.

“Whether it was expanding our inventory, introducing new technologies or building a team of passionate individuals, I was driven by the belief that we weren’t just in the rental business, we were in the business of bringing people’s visions to life. Watching the company grow and seeing the joy on our clients’ faces continues to be among the most rewarding parts of my career.”

In 2025, Pereira will guide her team to continue striving to improve efficiencies while further developing the skills of her key people, all while embracing innovation, expanding service offerings and strengthening commitments to sustainability and excellence.

“Going into my second year as the owner of this business, I feel a deep sense of responsibility and pride,” Pereira says. 

“This company isn’t just a business to me, it’s a reflection of hard work, teamwork and a shared commitment to excellence. It means being part of so many celebrations and milestones, knowing we’ve contributed to a meaningful time in people’s lives. As much as this journey has meant to me so far, I know the best is yet to come.”