COnference Program
Schedule & Speakers
Conference Program
Pre-SHow Workshops, Rooftop Party: Tuesday, June 3
Expo, Conference, O2VAPE Industry Yacht Party: Wednesday, June 4
Expo, Conference, Women in Cannabis Luncheon: Thursday, June 5
Tuesday, June 3, Pre-Show Events
Workshop: AI & Everything Cannabis for Your Business
AI is in the news every day and we hear about its promise to help industries across many disciplines to be more: efficient, investor-attractive, operationally streamlined, adaptable to new technologies, and help make businesses more profitable. How will this play out in the cannabis industry? Which segments in the cannabis supply chain will benefit – the most, the least, or at all? This workshop starts with explaining what AI is and takes attendees through how it can serve the cannabis industry from cultivation, processing, retail, marketing, consumer and client tracking, and what is available today, as well as what costs can a cannabis business expect to invest in to make a justifiable ROI.
(Separate workshop ticket required)
Workshop: Marketing & Communications for Brands & Retailers
This workshop will focus on making your products, services and brands be ubiquitous in an industry that is challenged on numerous fronts. Advertising, marketing and trends will be discussed. Real-life journeys will be discussed that tell of trials and tribulations for the next generation of marketing cannabis products.
Topics will include: marketing in the digital age, case studies of both successful and failed brand strategies, and the key trends shaping cannabis marketing today. These include shifts in consumer behavior, political and cultural movements, and capital investment patterns — all of which should be thoughtfully integrated into a winning retail marketing plan.
What are the legalities and illegalities of cannabis advertising? Where does rescheduling stand today and does it affect marketing strategy now or ever?
Where do you go to get help in marketing your cannabis business and brands?
Does NIMBY affect your marketing strategies? Should it?
(Separate workshop ticket required)
B2B Rooftop Bash with the NORML FORML
Join us for the ultimate networking experience at the B2B Rooftop Bash, taking place on Tuesday, June 3rd at the Yotel rooftop. Starting at 5:30PM, this exclusive event promises an evening of connections, collaboration, and camaraderie in the heart of New York City.
Enjoy an open bar, delectable food offerings, and panoramic views of the city skyline as you mingle with industry peers in a relaxed and inviting atmosphere. Don’t miss this opportunity to expand your network and relax the day before CMB begins.
NORML will be featured at the bash. Since its founding in 1970, NORML has provided a voice in the public policy debate for those Americans who oppose marijuana prohibition and favor an end to the practice of arresting marijuana consumers. A nonprofit public-interest advocacy group, NORML represents the interests of the tens of millions of Americans who use marijuana responsibly. You can support their mission by participating in a gift basket give-away.
Wednesday, June 4, Conference & Expo
Press Preview & Media Reception
Special preview for media representatives, exhibitors, speakers & journalists, highlighting the innovations, speakers, exhibitors and newest products of the show. (By invitation only.)
Lightning Talks: Innovation and Reinvention
10:30 - 10:50
Green Life Business Group
"Navigating Cannabis M&A from Tri-State to Nationwide: Lessons, Leverage & Landmines"
Speakers: Gordon K. Sattro, Elliot Cardenas, and Eric Espinoza
11:00 - 11:20
PLI - Practising Law Institute
"Cannabis & the Law: Top Trends, Developments, & Issues for Businesses"
Speakers: Jacob Metric and Fatima Afia
11:30 - 11:50 Grow America BuildersLaunch Your Cultivation Facility
Launch Your Cultivation Facility
How to successfully launch your cultivation project from property evaluation through design, construction, and beyond.
Speaker: David Fettner
New York Cannabis Industry – the Big Picture
The New York cannabis industry continues to evolve as one of the most promising and opportunistic markets for ancillary service providers, cannabis business owners, and investors. In this show opening session, we get the big picture of the cannabis market in NYS. The session will discuss present and future opportunities. A not to be missed informative discussion with NYS Cannabis Control Board, Chair Wright.
Moderator Tim Seymour interviews NYS OCM Chair, Tremaine Wright.
Market Analysis, Trends & Business Opportunities: Industry trends – the center of opportunity, New York or Berlin? Where is the cannabis market headed?
This presentation will provide a big-picture overview of the adult-use market across the United States and will address growth market trends, consumer behavior preferences, sales of different form factors, and cannabis production challenges. This session will also discuss opportunities in cannabis on a global level. The data and analytics will focus on the hottest markets and what are the barometers to watch.
Fireside Chat with Whoopi Goldberg & Tim Seymour
Whoopi arrives at the CMB for a special fireside chat with Tim Seymour. This is a can’t-miss conversation with one of the most influential voices in the cannabis space. Hear a discussion of the industry and Whoopi's new cannabis-infused beverage: Whoop-Tea.
The discussion will dive into the fast-rising cannabis beverage market and the vision behind Whoop-Tea, her collaboration with leading cannabis beverage brand Pure Genesis.
“I wanted to create something that’s fun, relaxing, and brings people together— without the hangover,” said Whoopi Goldberg. “Whoop-Tea is exactly that. It’s tea, it’s lemonade, it’s THC, and it’s all about unwinding and enjoying the moment. I’m excited to bring this to CMB and to be part of this incredible shift in wellness culture.”
With the global cannabis beverage market valued at $1.16 billion in 2023 and projected to reach $3 billion this year, the category is one of the fastest-growing segments in cannabis.
The Investment Renegades Changing the Face of Cannabis - Has Cannabis Funding Turned from Green to Yellow?
Wall Street executives and managers lead a discussion on state of capital funding for cannabis businesses. It is a fact that the industry has been fielding challenges throughout its history as an unregulated and federally illegal industry. As individual states legalized for medical and or adult-use cannabis, Wall Street firms were quite warm to cannabis. This session takes the temperature on that in the current business climate and assesses the availability of funding.
Long Island Cannabis Coalition (LICC) Meeting for Members
Mainstream Industry: Cannabis infused – are you in or out? Business opportunities in the cannabis industry
Thought leaders come together to discuss that as cannabis has emerged out of isolation and extreme stigma, it has created new business opportunities for many across the United States and across the globe; cannabis has evolved and is still evolving as a business layer for ancillary services, the medical community, adult-use markets and government research. Along-side cannabis, ancillary businesses (aka, mainstream services) have also emerged as an opportunistic business layer. Both offer economic and business opportunities and promise for investors. In this thought leadership panel, we bring together mainstream and cannabis business owners to discuss the needs, the progress and obstacles for the next level of business and opportunity
Infusion from the Beverage Industry: How Far Has It Come into Cannabis, and Where is it Heading?
A timely discussion with leaders of beverage companies from both the cannabis and non-cannabis industry. They detail where the intersection and fusion of these industries stands and what the future may hold.
Industry Check-In: Proliferating your brand to multiple markets – Gaining market share for your brand
In this session we explore the geographic proliferation of expanding a retail cannabis brand across the US and the globe. Marketing professionals and brand owners come together to present how to gain a level of ubiquity for your products, brands and services based upon their successes and failures, detailing what works, and what does not work in this highly competitive industry where the marketplace is still being defined and built within a volatile and unregulated industry.
Play: Educational Skit Journey to Healing with Psychedelics
An informative, educational skit that depicts a patient, referred to a therapist, to undergo psychedelic treatment dosing to help his depression.
O2VAPE Industry Yacht Party
Set sail with us for an unforgettable evening at the O2VAPE Industry Yacht Party on Wednesday, June 4th, from 6:00 to 10:00 PM just after the first day on the Show Floor.
Boarding begins promptly at 6:00 PM at Pier 81, located behind the Javits Center at West 41st Street. Cruise along the Hudson River, surrounded by breathtaking views of the New York City Skyline and the radiant glow of the sunset. Indulge in the open bar, enjoy a delicious dinner, and treat yourself to delectable desserts as you dance the night away. This exclusive event offers the perfect opportunity to unwind, connect with industry colleagues, and create lasting memories against the backdrop of one of the world’s most iconic cityscapes. The Yacht Party is proudly sponsored by O2Vape. O2VAPE® is a USA Veteran owned company and has been providing consumers with high quality portable vaping products since 2014. Products include their exclusive PATENTED FLIP ULTRA. O2VAPE offers a no receipt, no further purchase necessary Lifetime Warranty.
(Separate ticket required.)
Thursday, June 5, Conference & Expo
Spotlight on Hospitality & Cannabis Tourism
In this session, we dive into the crossover of hospitality with cannabis. What are the emerging trends across tourism and hospitality? We also look at the pros, cons, and risks for business owners to merge their mainstream hospitality business with cannabis elements. Should they or shouldn’t they merge what may be a “tried and true” business model they have, with a more volatile sector like cannabis? How will the intersection of cannabis legalization and the proliferation of cannabis as a consumption product with mainstream hotels, bars, lounges, and dispensaries play out? We also explore the regulatory front and what obstacles exist and what might be eased by more favorable regulations and rules as the sector and regulations develop.
Women in Cannabis Entrepreneur Luncheon
Network and meet the “Journey-Women” who have brought their talents, intelligence, fortitude, dedication, and professionalism to the cannabis space. Hear first-hand how they have built very successful businesses in one of the most challenging industries in the world. Learn of their strategies, alliances, and the paths they took from start to success.
Host: Kymberly Byrnes – Co-Founder, TribeTokes; CMB Advisory Council Member
Speakers:
Chanda Macias - Chairwoman of the Board of Managers, CEO, Women Grow; CEO, National Holistic Healthcare
“Reforming Policy, Expanding Opportunities, and Protecting Healthcare Rights for Future Generations.”
Degelis Tufts Pilla - CEO, Co-Founder, TribeTokes
“Bootstrapping: Is It For You?”
Faye Coleman, Co-Founder, CEO, Pure Genesis
“Raise: Funding, Future, Female”
Cannabis Marketing, Social Media & PR: Winning the clicks, swipes and likes
Cannabis marketing is challenging, and it has become even more so as social media platforms continue to tighten against cannabis advertising. There are methods and solutions to market your cannabis business - plant-touching or non-plant-touching. Learn from marketing and media industry leaders how to be on the right platform, and maximize getting swipes, clicks and likes for your cannabis business and products.
Real Estate & Cannabis Business Planning: Location, location, location – where will your cannabis business grow most?
Regionally cannabis businesses such as dispensaries, grow facilities, process facilities, etc., will thrive based upon many factors including LOCATION - no different than other real estate investments. However, where one gets a cannabis business license, or owns a property, or selects a property to lease, can make a huge difference in the success of that cannabis business. When it comes to entering or exiting a cannabis business, one must be cognizant of the local and state laws, regional ordinances, and the location of other cannabis businesses to yours.
Ensuring Compliance and Embracing Best Practices: Setting the highest standards from application to sale
Though there is still no “national standard” for cannabis businesses in the US, state-level compliance, risk management, and embracing best practices are key factors for ultimate success in any business. This session reviews critical issues that a cannabis business must tackle to stay in compliance, operate successfully, and ultimately make your business attractive for M&A, loans, expansion and exiting.
Journey to Health & Wellness (2 Segments)
Health & Wellness, Segment 1: Medical Cannabis – Progress, Present, and Future
We discuss the progress and the distillation of medical cannabis programs as we explore programs across several states and internationally, including the European and Asian markets. Where is medical cannabis now and what is on the horizon? A panel will discuss how medical cannabis programs have been impacted by adult use laws in their own state or in neighboring states, and how can we learn from other countries with medical cannabis programs. We explore the opportunities to support patients with medical cannabis programs now and into the future.
Health & Wellness Segment 2: Patients, Physicians, Caregivers: Aging and Elder Care, Autism, PTSD, Pain Management, Personal Care, and Intimacy
A panel of patients, physicians and caregivers discuss the importance of medical cannabis programs and what they see as the most important elements of a supportive state medical cannabis programs. What is missing, what is needed, and how do we get to a better supportive platform for medical cannabis patients? We will discuss cannabis medical treatment for Elder Care, Autism, PTSD, Pain Management, and Intimacy. A discussion about the human cannabinoid system will be also discussed and data will be presented on research regarding medical cannabis, treatment, and patients.
