By Trevor Smith
Marketplace: (noun) an area for people to come together to purchase and sell goods and services
The Ecological Landscape Alliance (ELA) has always been about looking toward the future while staying rooted in the land. That’s why I’m excited to share the launch of the ELA Marketplace, built in collaboration with our friends at Qiqo. If you’ve ever joined one of ELA’s online conferences—even before “virtual conferences” were a household phrase—you’ve already seen their vision in action.
So, what is the Marketplace?
Think of it as your always-on trade show booth, powered by AI. Unlike static directories that sit stale on a website, the ELA Marketplace is a living, dynamic space where your expertise surfaces automatically, your content stays current, and buyers actively come searching for ecological solutions.
I know some folks worry: “AI will take our jobs,” or “AI will disconnect us from the humanity.” But here’s the truth: AI can design a planting plan, but it can’t dig a hole, prune a tree, or bring the human touch that defines our craft. What it can do is free up our time, expand our reach, and help us focus on the things only people can do. Like a knife or a phone, it’s just a tool—and it’s up to us how we wield it.
A new kind of marketplace
For thousands of years, marketplaces weren’t just for buying and selling. They were the heart of community life—where people shared news, exchanged ideas, and strengthened relationships. That’s why farmers markets are still so popular today: people crave connection.
The ELA Marketplace is the digital version of that timeless gathering place. It’s a hub where ecological professionals and eco-minded buyers come together to learn, connect, and build the future of land care.
Not Another Directory
The Marketplace isn’t just a directory. It’s:
- Year-round discovery: Eco-minded buyers—from homeowners to municipalities—can find you 24/7.
- Effortless visibility: An AI concierge pulls in your blogs, podcasts, and events automatically.
- Credibility: You stand shoulder-to-shoulder with peers, backed by the authority of ELA.
- Networking & leads: Receive endorsements and requests for information directly from the community.
I’ve already put my company, ReEarth, into the system. Within days, endorsements rolled in and visibility grew — with far less effort than updating a website. This tool scales as I do, effortlessly keeping current. Every time I write an article, shoot a video or add a service I simply add it to my page and boom I’m current without any major updates or overhaul.
The timing of this launch couldn’t be more relevant. There is a flood of half-truths and misinformation out there. I say in my classes “you can watch 9 YouTube videos on how to grow the best tomato and get 9 different answers along with recommendations for products. I tell them to find the common thread and therein lies the truth. The Marketplace gets you to creditable tangible resources within the community. Got questions? Ask away! The AI concierge will guide you to the resource, vendor or expert you need to get the answer you are looking for saving you time and effort.
Stronger together
As in the landscape biodiversity is the key. The more of us who join, the stronger the ecosystem becomes. More content, more connections, more opportunities. It’s free, it’s easy, and it’s built for our community.
I’ll see you at the Marketplace—let’s build the future of ecological land care together.