ELO is a volunteer-driven, grassroots organization fuelled by collaboration.

I work full-time at Covenant Family Wealth Advisors as Strategic Counsel and Relationship Manager. I do ELO “on the side” since I think its vision and mission are very important to the Christian business community. I am grateful for all the volunteer support that ELO receives from myriad corners. I am tempted to provide names and examples, but there are far too many to mention.  So, let me thank in broad strokes the various people who are part of “the ELO Team.”

Advisors – ELO has distinguished Advisory Boards in Toronto, Vancouver and Winnipeg. In total we have about 50 Christian marketplace and entrepreneurial leaders who contribute their time, energy and great ideas to the cause. All of these people have too much to do and too little time—yet they get on board with ELO. We typically meet 2 or 3 times a year—the times of the day and the format vary per location.

Speakers – I am very grateful for our speakers. Every year, in each location, we are able to attract the world’s leading speakers to our events. We attract speakers who want to be part of our event; we are not interested in a “hired hand” who treats the ELO events as one more pit stop on the way to somewhere else. The vast majority of our speakers are active business leaders—there is nothing in it for them to prioritize our events—yet they do.

Conference Volunteers – Every year in each location we get dedicated, professional and courteous volunteers to help on the day of the conference. In Vancouver, Coastal Church has provided interns for a number of years—they have done a great job. In Winnipeg, we have had volunteers from Canadian Mennonite University and Providence University College. In Toronto, we have had volunteers from Tyndale University College and Redeemer University College. In addition, various family and friends have willingly pitched in.

Service Providers – Many companies have graciously provided services to ELO on a highly-discounted basis or they have engaged in some form of swap of their services for a presence at our ELO conferences. This has helped us tremendously with our website, logo and marketing materials, legal services, audio visual, accounting services and advertising.

Table Hosts – The conferences could not succeed without the steadfast support of table hosts. One of the dynamics of our conferences is that the bulk of people come because they are invited to be part of a table group. In other words, one person takes the lead to arrange or buy a table, then gets the word out to their associates to fill the table. The Table Hosts are, in effect, ambassadors for the event.

Sponsors – Sponsors are critical to cover the costs of an event. Each sponsor is critical to the viability of the event because no non-Christian organization will sponsor a “religious” event. While we attract an amazing group of business leaders, no mainstream groups (i.e. law, bank, HR firm, etc. – the “usual suspects” that get behind every other major event) will touch this event. So, because of the very limited pool of potential sponsors, we are grateful for each one. Most sponsors get on board because of a Christian founder or owner.

Exhibitors – Exhibitors are an important part of each event. Exhibitors pay to have a presence at the ELO events. They are supportive of the ELO vision and mission, want to identify with it, and introduce themselves to and connect with like-minded people. Our events are not the place for “hard core” selling or closing a deal—we all know that. At the same time, the exhibitor area provides an opportunity for organizations to “fly the flag”, have a presence and introduce their services.

Supporting Organizations – Supporting Organizations are non-profit organizations who get on board with the event and get the word out through their networks. They range from associations (i.e. Canadian Christian Business Federation), churches (Coastal Church in Vancouver, Global Kingdom Ministries in Toronto, Southland Church in Steinbach) or service groups (Canadian Christian Business Directory).

Attendees - Without attendees, there would be no purpose for the events—and that, quite frankly, would be the end of ELO. ELO sustains itself year by year—there is no pot of gold at the end of the rainbow that will artificially sustain something that no one is willing to support. If not enough people attend, then there is no basis to do another event the following year. Our events are targeted towards leaders who want a professional and excellent event, with the world’s top speakers live and in person, with like-minded influencers, and delivered by an organization that is widely recognized as the leading one in its field.

So, who is ELO? If you fit one of the above categories, then you are!