The theme of this year’s ELO Forum Toronto: stoke the entrepreneurial spirit! Forum speakers will highlight innovation in financial services, greenhouse flower growing, legal services, manufacturing systems integration, music instruction, education, and search firm services.
Attendees will hear great examples of doing something unique and different and how to fill a need in the marketplace. Entrepreneurship is a process—not a person. Attendees will learn through hearing examples of innovation in action. All organizations, whether large or small, for-profit or not-for-profit, will benefit from attending.
We have seven sessions all dealing with different dimensions of how to hone an entrepreneurial spirit, which can be applied in various contexts.
Arielle DeBoer, Co-Owner, Rosa Flora Ltd., Dunnville, ON, will address the topic: "Rosa Flora: Reflections on a 46-Year Journey of Faith, Family, Fire & Innovation." Since planting their first roses in 1978, Rosa Flora has regularly adapted with new technologies; precision software to manage the greenhouse climate, integrated pest management programs, and automated equipment. They control the process from planting to delivery.
Jacqueline (Jackie) Dinsmore, Co-Managing Partner, Caravel Law, Toronto, has been an innovator in the field of legal services. She has devised a unique business model and execution strategy in a relatively conservative environment. Her topic in Toronto is: "Legal Trailblazer & Serial Entrepreneur: Lessons on How To Grow A Business."
Ben Huigenbos, President & Co-Owner, BOS Innovations Inc., London, ON, lives in the world of a constantly changing environment in which innovation is a matter of survival. A company needs to be nimble with the rapid advancements in AI, robotics, and machine learning. His topic: "Robots, AI & Machine Learning: Reflections on Navigating High-Speed Innovation."
What about innovation in the field of music instruction? How do you create a growth opportunity and expand a business in the provision of musical lessons? Rebecca Lane, Director & Owner, Lane School of Music, Toronto, will discuss “Reflections on An Entrepreneurial Journey in the World of Music.”
William Vanderbloemen, Founder & CEO, Vanderbloemen Search Group, Houston, TX, has been an innovator in the search services industry. His company has grown rapidly since discovering that many churches and values-based businesses were not able to recruit and retain key staff well. He will speak on: "Be The Unicorn: 12 Data-Driven Habits that Separate the Best Leaders from the Rest."
Deani Van Pelt, President, Edvance, Burlington, ON, and Senior Fellow, Fraser Institute, is an innovator in Christian education. Innovation occurs in many contexts, including the educational sector. She will address the topic: "Innovations in Christian Education in the Midst of a Rapidly-Changing Education and Social Context."
Lastly, Ron Blue, Founder, Ron Blue Institute, has been an innovator on a global scale. Ron Blue will be receiving the prestigious ELO Entrepreneurial Leaders Award. He founded Ronald Blue & Co, a CPA firm that transitioned into Blue Trust, which serves over 10,000 clients and manages over US$16 billion in assets. He co-founded the National Christian Foundation, which disburses over US$1 billion per year to evangelical causes. He co-founded Kingdom Advisors, originally called the Christian Financial Professionals Network, which trains thousands of Christian financial advisors to integrate biblical wisdom into their financial advice. Most recently, he founded The Ron Blue Institute, which is dedicated to transforming how people think, act, and communicate about money and possessions by providing biblically based financial wisdom.
He is the author of 17 books on personal finance from a biblical perspective, including the best-seller Master Your Money, first published in 1986 and now in its 30th printing. Ron Blue is featured in the popular six-part Master Your Money video series, produced by Walk Thru the Bible Ministries and used in over 5,500 churches across the country. Ron's topic at the ELO Forum Toronto will be: "Insights on Innovation in a Lifetime in Finance."
The bottom line is that attendees of the Toronto Forum will be encouraged to cultivate their entrepreneurial spirit in their workplaces, churches, and non-profits. You will hear examples of how innovation takes place in various sectors and how it can apply to your circumstances. You will learn about how others have overcome challenges. You will be inspired to live your calling and have an impact that makes the journey worthwhile.
