What is E-Local Marketplace
(ELM)?
A Curated Economic Development Engine
ELM is a partnership between VIT and the ELM Committee to create an online marketplace where large enterprises in the Chicago area can buy from local businesses, with a specific focus on inclusion of minority, veteran and women-owned businesses.
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ELM Committee – Local leadership of ELM, a certified 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization
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VIT (Value Innovation Technologies Corp.) – an award-winning digital marketplace provider, utilizing the patented eLink technology.
ELM connects large corporations and government agencies with the best small businesses throughout Chicagoland to create B2B and B2G e-commerce opportunities. Corporate and government buyers have the convenience of purchasing from the best small businesses all in one place while the small business sellers are offered an opportunity to sell online to the types of large buying organizations, they wouldn't normally be able to reach.
Corporate and Government Institutions
Attend the ELM Forum to meet some of Chicago’s best small businesses and discover how you can join Northwestern University, City of Evanston, School District 202, and others as institutional buyers that are driving economic development in the Chicagoland area.
Chicagoland Small Businesses
Attend this event to join the numerous sellers that are already participating in the E-Local Marketplace selling items ranging from office supplies to floral arrangements to some of Chicago’s largest buyers.
Event Partners
AGENDA
Welcome
The welcome will be done by Mr Dave Davis of Northwestern
Keynote Speaker
Commissioner Josina Morita will be sharing the county's commitment to economic development of local small businesses through initiatives such as ELM
ELM Platform Review
Mr. Cy Kennedy will perform a demonstration of the patented technology that operates the ELM platform
Closing Remarks
Mr. Clarence Weaver (ELM President) will be issuing the closing remarks. He will emphasize Northwestern's commitment to ELM and encourage others to become a part of the platform
Panel Discussion
The panel will be discussing the importance of ELM as it related to economic development and growth of Chicagoland
Networking/ Mingle
Social and have lunch while discussing all that was discussed throughout the day.
Our Current Partners
When and where
This event will be held:
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December 10, 2024
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Guild Lounge, Scott Hall, Northwestern Campus
601 University Place
Evanston, IL 60208
The entrance to Guild Lounge is on the south end of the building (see google map link below)
Value Innovation Technologies
Value innovation Technologies through their patented elinkgateway technology curates marketplaces for large corporations and government entities to accommodate trade between these entities and small businesses. The ELM Marktetplace is one of these spaces that facilitates this type of economic development.
Cy Kennedy
CEO, Value Innovation Technologies
Meet the ELM Committee
ELM is a certified 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization
Co-Founder/ CEO
Clarence Weaver
Clarence Weaver joined the ELM team in November 2020. He offers over 40 years of IT industry expertise managing, building, implementing, and integrating systems for the insurance, banking, financial markets, and not-for-profit organizations. In his current role, Clarence has focused on engaging Institutional Buyers and Vendors and driving the vision to connect Institutions and Minority and Women-owned businesses together.
Executive Director
Anita Summers
Anita Summers
Executive Director
Anita Summers has worked within corporate, legal, private and non profit sectors for over 20 years. Her entre to grantwriting initiated in 2001 while consulting with Streetwise Newspaper in Chicago. Anita's grantsmanship expanded in her role as the first Development Director at the South Side Community Art Center.
Founder/ CRO
Bryant Wallace
As CRO (Chief Relationship Officer), Bryant Wallace continuously seeks and establish alliances with key stakeholders and decision makers. His natural proclivity as a conduit has eased the process for buyers to fulfill local spend objectives, and presented immense opportunities for local small and mid-sized business owners, their families, and the community-at-large.
