The New Jersey Benzinga cannabis industry conference is coming back next Tuesday, March 4th, for more panels with more networking opportunities for a one-day conference.
The event offers a great time to network, hang out, catch up, gossip, and attend many panels.
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Benzinga offers the opportunity to gain insights from noted figures and some local pioneers in the cannabis industry.
The event offers a chance to connect and create lasting business relationships. You can probably network with New Jersey cannabis industry leaders, entrepreneurs, and maybe even some investors if you’re lucky.
The many panels offer the possibility of discovering the details New Jersey’s expanding cannabis market potential and opportunities.
Notably, the NJ-CRC Executive Director Dianna Houenou AND Executive Director Christopher Riggs are going to be on a panel with Susanna Puntel, NJ State Policy & Advocacy Lead for ATACH, formerly of the NJ Cannabis Trade Association (NJCTA).
The event is designed to help businesspeople navigate New Jersey’s regulatory laws and rules for cannabis businesses. Notably, Benzinga promotes itself as a place to discuss strategies for shifting from the “illicit” legacy market to a regulated, legal framework.
It is being held at the Delta Hotel by Marriot in Somerset by New Brunswick in Central Jersey.*
Benzinga Cannabis Industry Conference Agenda
8:30am
Registration & Networking
9:25am
Opening Remarks
9:30 am
Exclusive Presentation
9:45 am
Keynote
10:05 am
Turning 2024 Wins into 2025 Records: How Your Business Can Drive Market Growth
Trip McDermott, COO – Verano
Richie Proud, Chief Executive Officer and Director – iAnthus
Ankur Rungta, Co-Founder & CEO – C3 Industries
Julie Winter, Co-Chief Revenue Officer – AYR Wellness
Debra Borchardt, Executive Editor, Co-Founder – Green Market Report
10:35 am
Fast Returns or No Deal: The New Investor Mindset
Karl Frederic, Member Senior Director – Clark Hill Law
Tahira Rehmatullah, Partner – Highlands Venture Partners
Steven Ernest, Director, Originations – Chicago Atlantic
Patrick Rea, Managing Director – Poseidon
Dan Neville, Partner, Chief Executive Officer – Advanced Flower Capital
11:05 am
The Lifecycle of a Deal
Seth Yakatan, Co-Founder – Katan Associates,
Rachel Wright, CPA, CEO of VERDANT Strategies and 420 CPA – VERDANT Strategies
11:25am
Smart Inventory: Does Product Selection Really Matter in Cannabis Retail?
Bran Noonan, CEO – OGeez!
Michael Piermont, Founder, Cheetah & CCO– iAnthus
Shane Fairbrother, Director of Sales / Operations – HARA Supply
Jacqueline Ferraro, Advocate | Strategic Advisor | Founder | Connector – Cannability
Ben Burstein, Senior Corporate Development Manager – LeafLink
11:55 am
Beating the Elements: How High-Tech Cultivation is Defining East Coast Cannabis
Nick Richards, Tax Partner – Greenspoon Marder LLP
David Fettner, Managing Partner – Grow America
12:15 pm
Lunch
01:00 pm
Out of the Gate Strong: Your Blueprint for Immediate Retail Success
Gabriella Wilday, CEO – Molly Ann Farms
Tahir Johnson, CEO – Simply Pure Trenton
Jill Cohen, CEO – Elevated by CannaBossLady
Jenny Lamboy, Director of Strategy – Hybrid Marketing
Kris Ciccarelli, Chief Technology Officer – Flowhub
1:30 pm
New Jersey Regulatory Panel
Dianna Houenou, Commission Chair – NJ Cannabis Regulatory Commission
Christopher Riggs, Acting Executive Director – NJ Cannabis Regulatory Commission
Susanna Puntel, NJ State Policy & Advocacy Lead – ATACH
1:50 pm
Are You Ready for a Profitable Exit? Preparing for M&A in a Cash-Driven Market
Donny Moskovic, Deal Junkie – Principal Strategist – Katz & Associates
Joshua Horn, Partner – Fox Rothschild
Marc Claybon, Principal-Tax – Crowe
Jeanne Sullivan, Chief Investment Officer – Arcview Ventures
Leah Heise, Partner – Wolf Meyer
2:20 pm
In A Lender’s Shoes: How Are Financiers Valuing Your Assets?
Samantha Gleit, Partner – Feuerstein Kulick LLP
Joseph Lustberg, CEO – Upwise Capital
Meilad Rafiei, CEO – WeCann
2:40pm
The Race To Endemic Quality: Can Your East Coast Cannabis Match Cali Bud?
Will Bowden, Founder & CEO – Grasshopper Farms
Stella Morrison, Founder and Content Strategist – CannaContent
Joshua Krane, Executive General Manager – Garden Greens
Randy Lanier, CEO – Freedom Grow
Dan Saita, Co-Founder & Owner – North Lake Supply
3:10 pm
The New Jersey Consumer Playbook: What Sells, What Doesn’t, and Why?
Kelly Heinichen, VP of Retail & Planning – iAnthus
Amy Larson, SVP – Head of Sales & Marketing – Rx Green Technologies
Sarah Trent, CEO – Valley Wellness
3:40 pm
Cross-Feeding Retail: Can A Strong Brand Boost Your Dispensary Sales And Vice Versa?
Luna Stower, Head of Impact – Ispire
Ricky Williams, Founder – Highsman
Brian Adams, CEO – Nimbus Cannabis Co.
Laurie Parfitt, Founder & CEO – LKP Impact Consulting
Jon Lowen, Co-CEO and Co-Founder – Surfside
Carl Tirella Jr., Co-Founder & CEO – Budr Cannabis
4:10 pm
Closing Remarks
Elliot Lane, Senior Vice President, Event Partnerships – Benzinga
Patrick Lane, Executive Vice President – Benzinga
Mark Kazinec, Co-Founder & COO – Best in Grass
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Panel Versus Show Floor Heavy Conference
Benzinga, like the Real Cannabis Entrepreneur conference, is very panel heavy with a lot being discussed.
Other conferences emphasize their show floor of booths and tables far more.
Last year, there were only about a dozen tables in a theater lobby with the panels occupying the main theater of NJPAC in New Brunswick.
In contrast, NECANN and MJ Unpacked were held at the Atlantic City Convention Center last year, where their large show floors had dozens of booths and tables.
But like NECANN and MJ Unpacked, Benzinga holds multiple conferences across the state-legal cannabis markets.
It is unique since it is only a one-day conference. Most are at least two.
(Full disclosure Benzinga has a deal with Heady NJ LLC)
