Agenda

OPENING KEYNOTE

Supercritical co-founder and Managing Partner, Sparky Rose, kicks off the first ever SparkList Summit! 

LEGALIZED CANNABIS IN ILLINOIS: KEY LEGAL AND REGULATORY ISSUES

Join Bill Bogot, Co-Chair of the cannabis practice at FoxRothschild, and his colleagues Michael Neville and Andrew Halbert as they discuss the regulatory issues cannabis businesses face in Illinois. They’ll also touch on hot button subjects like 280 taxation.

INTRINSIC VALUE OF COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND COLLABORATION

Advertising is strictly prohibited. How will you structure, budget and implement marketing programs? Kirsten Velasco, Outreach Manager with The Medical Cannabis Community will provide the vision and strategies you need to build fruitful relationships that exceed traditional advertising.

HOW TO AVOID COMMON PITFALLS AS A CANNABIS RELATED BUSINESS

Join Terry for a discussion around the various pitfalls cannabis companies face around mission critical activities like banking and payment processing. Learn how CannaTrac developed the CannaCard to help businesses avoid these common pitfalls. 

ETHICS AND PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS IN CANNABIS

As members of the growing cannabis industry, it is incumbent upon us to uphold a voluntary industry code of ethics and standards of professional conduct. It is imperative for us to recognize that the manner in which we conduct business reflects upon the professionalism of the entire cannabis industry. Join in the conversation to help advance this spirit of integrity.

EMPLOYER OF RECORD SERVICES: INCREASING YOUR REVENUE WHILE REDUCING YOUR RISK

Please join Thomas Meredith, Co-Founder of Blaze Staffing & Recruiting and CEO of Genesis Global Workforce Solutions, for an overview and summary of Employer of Record (EOR) services.   Thomas will focus on the features and benefits of EOR services, including cost savings, efficiencies and risk management.  He is looking forward to sharing this information and answering any questions that you may have. 

THE MEDIA, THE CANNABIS INDUSTRY, AND YOUR BUSINESS

Cannabis is a hot topic in the media – both in Illinois and on the national stage. Margy and her team, PR consultants to the cannabis industry and publishers of the AkreteCanna weekly cannabis news round-up, will share who’s covering what in Illinois and how to increase your chances of being included, and tips for navigating tricky media situations as a cannabis business owner.

AVOIDING COMMON CONSTRUCTION MISTAKES AS A NEW ILLINOIS LICENSEE

Learn why collaboration and regulation matter throughout the design-build process—and how your bricks and mortar shape the cannabis customer experience more than most people realize. Andy Poticha has been leading the design-build process for cultivation facilities, dispensaries and processing facilities since 2015, working with MSOs and independents alike. He’s happy to share his lessons learned with those just starting out.

SECURING CANNABIS REAL ESTATE: TIPS, TRICKS AND SOME Q&A

Get advice from an executive from one of the most successful cannabis brands and retailers in the country, Cookies! Director of Acquisitions, Bret Rosol, joins us to share some real estate tips and tricks while also taking your questions. This is a session you won’t want to miss!

NAVIGATING THE CANNABIS INSURANCE WORLD

Join Scott for a discussion around the cannabis insurance industry, and how to gain access to every available company currently writing cannabis insurance.

SOCIAL EQUITY PANEL DISCUSSION

What does social equity and representation look like in the cannabis industry and what can we do to ensure a more equitable landscape? Join our panel to understand the daily obstacles in fighting for social equity and what you can do to support the cause. 

CULTIVATORS CAN INCREASE QUALITY AND YIELD WHILE LOWERING COSTS. YOU CAN HAVE YOUR CANNABIS AND EAT IT TOO!

Until recently, commercial growers had to choose between efficiency-focused sustainability practices and yield. Recent advances in technology now allow growers to have access to both simultaneously. This is a true game changer.

Ash Ganley will demonstrate, from the perspective of a multi-state operator that also invests in sustainability tech, how to produce higher yields and superior economic results while simultaneously lowering carbon footprint and energy use.

NAVIGATING CANNABIS SUPPLY CHAINS

Learn about the supply chain of cannabis/hemp; how it impacts quality and the environment and how mass and artisanal producers differ.

BUILDING A CANNABIS BRAND FOR THE FUTURE

As the cannabis category continues to expand, branding will play an essential role for companies to maximize profit and achieve sustainable competitive advantage. A brand is so much more than a logo or package.  We will present the foundational tenets and roadmap of comprehensive brand building. We will also explore the relationship between the Art and Science of developing a brand of distinction. This session is structured to inspire those in the cannabis industry to more fully embrace the branding discipline to build long-lasting bonds with customers driving growth and wealth for companies within the category.

NETWORKING TO SUCCEED IN CANNABIS

Join Green in CHI co-founder and networking guru, Altan Erdemir as he discusses the cannabis networking landscape in Illinois and how to make the best of your networking efforts.

CANNABIS: A DISRUPTIVE TECHNOLOGY?

Innovations are already occurring in the cannabis arena. As more industry gains are made, what should be considered in order to maintain canna career preparedness

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