Josh Kesselman, Founder and CEO, HBI International / RAW Rolling Papers

Iconic RAW Rolling Papers Founder Josh Kesselman to Host Fireside Chat at CWCBExpo

Press Release – May 22, 2024

CWCBExpo, 11th Annual
June 5 – 6, 2024, New York City, Javits Convention Center
Iconic RAW Rolling Papers Founder Josh Kesselman to Host Fireside Chat at 10th Annual CWCBExpo in NYC’s Javits Convention Center

CNBC’s Tim Seymour will interview the celebrity CEO and founder.

(New York, NY, May 2024)—CWCBExpo today announced Josh Kesselman, iconic CEO and philanthropic founder of HBI International, the company behind RAW Rolling Papers, will keynote the business conference taking place at Javits Convention Center in New York City, Wednesday and Thursday, June 5 and 6.

Hosted by CNBC’s Fast Money investor voice, Tim Seymour, Kesselman’s appearance will be on the main stage from 11 – 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, June 5th. The address, styled after a fireside chat, is open to registered CWCBExpo attendees.

Kesselman grew up in New York and has since developed RAW Rolling Papers to legendary status. His brand has garnered a cult-like following with more than two million Instagram followers and mainstream name-drops and support from celebrity rappers like Wiz Khalifa and 2 Chainz. His products, sold worldwide, include a vast array of rolling papers, cones, tips, rolling trays, apparel, and other accessories.

Known for his larger-than-life personality and love of smoking culture, Kesselman’s mission is to make people happy. “If you ask me, New York is the most lit place on Earth! I was born there, which makes the Empire State the birthplace of RAW,” said Kesselman.

RAW Giving, the name given to Kesselman’s HBI International philanthropic efforts, recently surpassed $3 million in donations to non-profit organizations including The Weldon Project, a non-profit that advocates for the end of cannabis prohibition, the Last Prisoner Project, Sky’s the Limit and Central Arizona Shelter Services, to name a few.

“We are honored to have Josh Kesselman give the keynote address at our event. He exemplifies much of cannabis culture today and is an example of a successful entrepreneur who gives back,” said Christine Ianuzzi, CEO of CWCBExpo.

The CWCBExpo New York, June 5-6 at the Javits Center, celebrating 10 years, is the premier business-to-business trade show event for legal cannabis. Founded in 2014, the expo provides a forum for dispensary owners, growers, suppliers, medical professionals, investors, regulators, legal counsel, and entrepreneurs to connect. For more information, or to register for the event, visit www.CWCBExpo.com.

Registration is open for CWCBExpo New York. To register go to: https://cwcbexpo/registration_ny/

For more information on sponsoring or exhibiting contact: cwcbe@cannabismeansbusiness.com or call 201-580-2050.

Editor’s Note: Qualified members of the media are invited to register as press for CWCBExpo New York. To request a media pass for CWCBExpo New York, please contact Annie Scully at: press@cannabismeansbusiness.com

About Cannabis World Congress & Business Exposition (CWCBExpo)

CWCBExpo is an established business-to-business trade show event for the legalized cannabis and hemp industry. It is held in New York City, the largest business, financial, and media market, and is the leading forum for dispensary owners, growers, suppliers, investors, medical professionals, government regulators, legal counsel, and entrepreneurs looking to achieve business success and identify new areas of growth in this dynamic and fast- growing industry.

Visit: www.cannabismeansbusiness.com.

About HBI International

Headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona and launched in 2005 by Josh Kesselman, HBI International, the company behind RAW Rolling Papers, is an independent, global brand producing plant- based rolling papers and other smoking accessories. Their unbleached, slow-burning papers are the preferred product for millions of smokers. The company is committed to sustainability and social good and, through its RAW Giving initiative, has provided millions of dollars in direct cash contributions for many charities, including those that work to provide access to clean water and rescue homeless pets. For more information, visit: rawthentic.com.

Dasheeda Dawson

Dasheeda Dawson, NYC’s Cannabis Czar to Keynote at CWCBExpo

Press Release – May 22, 2023

CWCBExpo logo
June 1 - 3, 2023, New York City, Javits Convention Center
Dasheeda Dawson
Dasheeda Dawson, NYC’s Cannabis Czar to Keynote at 9th Annual CWCBExpo in New York, June 1-3, 2023

Leading East Coast Trade Show & Conference Highlights Business Opportunities & Features Project Clean Slate, an Expungement Clinic 

 

(Paramus, NJ, May 2023)—NYC’s “Cannabis Czar” Dasheeda Dawson, Founding Director of Cannabis NYC, will deliver a Keynote at CWCBExpo on Thursday, June 1st at 10:15 am.  Dawson was appointed Founding Director of Cannabis NYC by Mayor Eric Adams in October 2022, and she oversees the interagency creation and curation of citywide resources and services to help build an equitable and sustainable cannabis industry, including helping entrepreneurs to apply for licenses, access financing opportunities, and navigate municipal regulations.  CWCBExpo New York, June 1-3, is the longest running cannabis event at the Javits Center and in New York City, and has become the premier B2B trade show and conference on the East Coast.

During Dawson’s keynote, attendees will be able to hear first-hand about the support that the NYC Department of Small Business Services, through Cannabis NYC, is providing to help the legalized cannabis industry flourish including public education, capital investment, certification programs and first-of-its-kind business solutions for aspiring cannabis entrepreneurs.

“CWCBExpo is an exciting opportunity to talk directly to the community about what’s next for the City’s burgeoning legal cannabis industry,” said Dasheeda Dawson. “This partnership will shine a spotlight on the citywide resources and services available to all New Yorkers interested in cannabis, particularly for those disproportionately impacted by previous prohibition and criminalization.”

“Bringing our Lift Off! Cannabis NYC tour to this year’s CWCBExpo doesn’t just represent new business opportunities, but it further amplifies our ongoing mission to provide equitable access and restorative justice in every sector of the developing industry. I’m looking forward to the work we can do together now and in the future,” Dawson added.

With the legalized cannabis market in New York and the tri-state area on track to be a multi-billion dollar industry, CWCBExpo will provide unmatched insight and education on this multi-layered business sector.  More highlights include:

– Interactive panel sessions exploring all angles of the business including:  Social Equity: Entrepreneurs, Change Makers, and Heroes; Consumer Products: What are the most Popular and Hottest Products? and Technology to Maximize ROI for Grow Facilities From Seed to Processing.

– The New York State Office of Cannabis Management (NYS OCM) hosting a specialized seminar program designed exclusively for CWCBExpo attendees on Saturday, June 3rd, and ends with a CAURD (Conditional Adult Use Dispensary) Q& A session.

– “Adult-Use Retail Dispensary Business Bootcamp: How to Execute Your Operational Plans for a Successful Launch and Business Operation,” moderated by Sara Gullickson, Founder, CEO, and Maxime Kot, President of Cannabis Business Advisors.

 –The CannaVest East Institutional Capital Forum, running alongside CWCBExpo on June 1-2, which includes a talk with Tremaine Wright, Chair, New York State Cannabis Control Board.

– Specialty show floor areas such as the Women Pavilion spotlighting innovative products and services from emerging women-owned companies; University Row featuring leading academic cannabis curriculums; “LGBTQ+ Proud Mary Lounge” providing a safe and welcoming place to network, learn, and build a community of business and entrepreneurial interests and debuting this year Cannabis NYC, Veterans Rally Point, and Grower’s Field.

Project Clean Slate, the social justice program created by Minorities for Medical Marijuana (M4MM) is hosting a cannabis expungement clinic inside CWCBExpo on Saturday, June 3rd from 10:00 am until 3:00 pm. Free passes will be provided to those in need of expungement services with pre-registration required here:  https://projectcleanslate.org/cwcbexpo-2023-pre-regis

“The criminalization of marijuana disproportionately impacted black and brown people,” said Roz McCarthy, M4MM Founder & CEO. “This is an opportunity to reduce some of the impact and damage individuals with these charges have faced.”

“The war on drugs has devastated our communities.  Expungement is a way to help even out the field, and a way that we are helping to not only repair some of the harm but also restore people in our communities. They will no longer be barred from obtaining gainful employment, sufficient housing and if they choose, be able to participate in this now legal thriving cannabis industry.” said LaKisha Camese, Project Clean Slate Program Director. 

A hallmark of the CWCBExpo New York events are the ample business-building opportunities including the Networking Mixer, Industry Yacht Party, and Cannabis Week fund raisers and gatherings including the NORML FORML. CWCBExpo New York will also have a dynamic expo floor on the expansive third level of the Javits Center (Hall 3A) with the most innovative product, service and technology companies showcasing their solutions for the entire cannabis ecosystem.    

To register and secure the best pre-show pricing go to: https://cwcbexpo.wpengine.com/registration_ny/

For more information email: cwcbe@cannabismeansbusiness.com or call 201-580-2050.

About Cannabis World Congress & Business Exposition (CWCBExpo)

CWCBExpo is a business-to-business trade show event for the legalized cannabis and hemp industry. It is held in the largest business, financial, and media markets. It is the leading forum for dispensary owners, growers, suppliers, investors, medical professionals, government regulators, legal counsel, and entrepreneurs looking to achieve business success and identify new areas of growth in this dynamic and fast-growing industry. Visit: www.cannabismeansbusiness.com.

Editor’s Note: Qualified members of the media are invited to register as press for CWCBExpo New York, email: press@cannabismeansbusiness.com

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