On March 10, 2004 EKI sponsored an exclusive executive forum entitled
"The Value of Diversified Technology Supplier Relationships" which featured Linda Dillman, CIO, Wal-Mart as the keynote speaker.

Professor Steven Rogers, Kellogg Graduate School of Management, Northwestern University, moderated the panel discussion that immediately followed Ms. Dillman's keynote address. The distinguished panel members were:

• Bruce Carver, CIO PepsiCo Beverages & Foods
• Chris O'Brien, CIO, City of Chicago
• Robert Runcie, CIO, Chicago Public Schools
• LoriLee Sadler, Execuitve Vice President, Unext.com, LLC.
• Robert Blackwell, Jr., CEO, Electronic Knowledge Interchange

Additional forum speakers were:

• Jack Lavin, Director, Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity
• Michael Rumman, Director, Illinois Central Management Services
• David Blake, Publisher, Crain's Chicago Business
• Robert Blackwell, Sr., Chairman & CEO, Blackwell Consulting Services
• Nathan Paige, President, Business Systems Engineering

Ms. Dillman's outstanding keynote address illuminated Wal-Mart's approach to business and success in working with a highly diversified supplier base.

The panel discussion candidly addressed the issues and challenges that face smaller technology companies when competing for opportunities to serve as a Prime Contractor.

The panelists spoke about their numerous successful experiences working with smaller organizations and noted that smaller organizations are often times more responsive, creative and flexible in their approach to getting the job done.