This year marks the Entrepreneurial Leaders Organization's (ELO) 20th anniversary. ELO had an inauspicious start! The germ of ELO was a coffee & dessert evening gathering in Vancouver, BC in 2005 organized by Dr. Richard (Rick) J. Goossen. Exactly when the program was about to start, the lights went out--and there was complete darkness. Strong winds felled a tree which snapped electrical wires servicing the venue. Regardless, the event proceeded as best as possible with illumination from attendees cell phones--and has kept growing since that time.

The conferences (called "ELO Forums") have been held since that time in Vancouver, Winnipeg, Toronto, Calgary, Edmonton, Hong Kong and Singapore. Over 15,000 people have attended the ELO Forums since 2005. ELO has featured over 200 of the world's best and most interesting speakers, from John Maxwell to Mark Burnett.

The ELO Forums are the single most important annual events for Christian marketplace and entrepreneurial leaders in their respective cities. The conferences are one-day events where business leaders and executives can network and connect with others, gain more understanding about their calling, and learn from a great roster of presenters. 

The ELO Website has developed over time to become a leading resource for Christian business leaders with blogs, podcasts and videos. The site generates over 120,000 unique visitors per year.

The ELO Blog offers a Christian perspective on various approaches to innovation and entrepreneurship, leadership, and meaning at work from around the world. There are over 500 blog posts on the site. Top blog posts are read over 15,000 times. Here, we highlight key ELO events, interviews, and initiatives to support ELO’s vision.

ELO’s Peer Advisory Groups are comprised of Christian CEOs, senior executives, entrepreneurs, and other business leaders from across Canada. These groups help Christian business leaders learn, grow, and find meaning in their businesses. By meeting with other likeminded leaders and peers from non-competing industries, members are able to sharpen their entrepreneurial spirit and hone their skills as leaders.      

The ELO Oxford Global Leadership Program, started in 2019, is a week long learning experience for senior executives, business leaders, and entrepreneurs from around the globe held in Oxford, UK. Expert guest presenters teach throughout the week and mealtimes are spent connecting and networking with a great cohort of peers.        

ELO Counsel works with leading entrepreneurial businesses across Canada with respect to transition, governance, and strategy solutions. ELO works with many family businesses as they transition from one generation of leadership to the next. In addition, ELO Counsel facilitates board of directors meetings and organizes advisory boards.      

ELO's mission is to become the world’s leading organization to connect, equip, and celebrate Christian marketplace and entrepreneurial leaders. Over 20 years we have created ways to bring Christian CEOs, senior executives, and business leaders together to connect, learn, and grow.