Sold-Out Success: Wrapping Up an Amazing Year of ELO Forums in 2024

"This was a great day spent with leaders and entrepreneurs. What I like best about this event is that hearing from the variety of speakers helps you appreciate that God's kingdom is far bigger than just my own world. Lots of different people are doing business God's way in their own little corner. Thanks to the Lord for Christian business people."
 
"ELO provides a wonderful forum for Christian business and institutional leaders to meet and encourage one another. I thoroughly enjoyed learning from others and also being able to encourage others in integrating their faith with the professional vocation."
 
"If you are looking to learn, grow or further your development in your career as a Christian in a secular dominated society, then you will appreciate this conference!"
 

This is just a small percentage of the great feedback we received from attendees of the ELO Forum Toronto 2024 held on December 4th. 

This year's event at The Four Points by Sheraton Toronto Airport Hotel attracted Christian marketplace and entrepreneurial leaders from throughout Canada and the US. 

The ELO Forums are one-day events focused on bringing together Christian marketplace leaders to connect and network with other like-minded peers, and to be inspired by a world-class roster of speakers. 

The ELO Forum Toronto was supported by over 30 sponsors including a wide range of businesses and nonprofit organizations in Ontario and throughout Canada (listed below).

ELO dates back to 2005 when Dr. Richard (Rick) J. Goossen, Chairman, ELO Network, organized the first conference. Since then, we have grown to host about 100 events and conferences across the globe, thanks to our industry-leading network of speakers, sponsors, advisors, and supporters.

This year, we had an amazing lineup of seven presenters that spoke on topics surrounding our theme of "Stoking the Entrepreneurial Spirit."

William Vanderbloemen, Founder & CEO, Vanderbloemen Search Group, joined us all the way from Houston, TX, USA. He kicked off the Forum with a presentation on "Be The Unicorn: 12 Data-Driven Habits that Separate the Best Leaders from the Rest."

Dr. Richard (Rick) J. Goossen hosted a Q&A with Jacqueline (Jackie) Dinsmore, Co-Managing Partner, Caravel Law, on "Legal Trailblazer & Serial Entrepreneur: Lessons on How To Grow A Business."

After a table discussion of insightful conversation, networking, and reflection on the previous few sessions, we heard from Arielle DeBoer & Ralph DeBoer, Co-Owners, Rosa Flora Ltd. They discussed "Rosa Flora: Reflections on a 46-Year Journey of Faith, Family, Fire & Innovation."

Lunchtime was filled with great conversation, new connections, and good food. Attendees were able to visit our sponsor display tables and learn about the amazing organizations that help support us in these conferences. 

Ben Huigenbos, President & Co-Owner, BOS Innovations Inc., took to the stage to discuss the very relevant topic of "Robots, AI & Machine Learning: Reflections on Navigating High-Speed Innovation."

Following that, we had a session with Deani Van Pelt, President, Edvance, and Senior Fellow, Fraser Institute. She presented on "Innovations in Christian Education in the Midst of a Rapidly Changing Education and Social Context."

 Rebecca Lane, Director and Owner, Lane School of Musicsat down for a Q&A with Rick Goossen on "Reflections on An Entrepreneurial Journey in the World of Music."

Our final speaker of the evening was Ronald Blue, Founder, Ron Blue Institute, visiting us from Indianapolis, IN, USA. Ron Blue was also the recipient of the Entrepreneurial Leaders Award (ELA). Ron Blue ended the evening with a discussion on "Insights on Innovation in a Lifetime in Finance."

Our event in Toronto was an incredible sold-out success, and we're looking forward to our return next year!  Attendees walked away with a fresh sense of purpose and meaningful relationships formed with our incredible speakers and other guests. The speakers motivated and empowered the audience, creating a lasting and memorable impact.

For more information, see the latest edition of our Forum Magazine, the Entrepreneurial Leaders Review, to read about sponsors, speakers, and content from the Forum.

The speakers' PowerPoints can be found on our website HERE.

Audio recordings of speakers' presentations will be posted on our Podcast channel

 


A big thank you to our event sponsors!


 

 

 Opportunity International Canada logo

 

 

RBI 2024 c

 

 

Vanderbloemen logo 2024

 

 

YFC National Logo

 

 

Societ Logo 2024

 

 

CNCF 2024

 

Christian School Foundation 2023

 

 

Cardus 2023

 

TWU 22

 

Redeemer 2022

Book Depot 2023

 

Alpha Marketing

 

 

 Bridges for Peace 2024

 

GAIN

 

 

Edu Deo Logo 2024

 

 

Caravel Law Logo 2024

 

Edvance Logo 2024

 

 

FBCI logo

 

 

Kingdom Advisors 2024 c

 

Martinrea

Rosa Flora

Maple Reinders

Royal LePage RCR Realty

Hava Holdings Ltd.

BOS Innovations Inc.

NVK Nurseries

Tyndale University

Twenty View Farms

Categories: Forums, Speakers, Sponsors