by Grow Up Conference | Aug 18, 2017
Kevin has a wide-ranging background in both Cannabis and traditional Greenhouse vegetable and ornamental industries, spanning more than three decades. Starting in the early days of the Legacy market working with some of Canada’s first Compassion Clubs and later as Cultivation Writer for Cannabis Culture magazine from the late 1990’s until 2003, Kevin bridges early industry Cannabis activism and legacy knowledge with the most modern legal productions systems. For the past 17 years, Kevin has been on the leading edge of developing Biological Control programs for Cannabis producers across Canada in various leadership roles at Koppert Biological Systems. Kevin is passionate about bringing safer, sustainable Integrated Pest Management solutions into the Cannabis production ecosystem, utilizing beneficial insects, microbes and cultural techniques. Koppert is a word leader in Biological Control solutions and is proud to be celebrating the 30th anniversary of its Canadian division this year.
by Grow Up Conference | Aug 18, 2017
by Grow Up Conference | Aug 15, 2017
Jayson studied Horticulture at Niagara College in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario Canada and brings a strong Horticultural background to the cannabis industry with over 25 year’s experience in the commercial horticulture industry.
Jayson’s experience has also aided in achieving many years of commercial cannabis industry experience while working through Health Canada’s various regulations since 2013 as Head Grower with Canopy Growth Corporation at their Tweed Farms location.
Cannabis Compliance Inc. – CCI is a Canadian based, global leading cannabis consulting firm where Jayson provides industry support and guidance from inception of a conceptual design right through to harvest. Through CCI Jayson regularly performs regulatory and compliance on-site training along with audits, gap assessments, cultivation planning and quality assurance services.
by Grow Up Conference | Aug 14, 2017
by Grow Up Conference | Aug 11, 2017
Jackie Subeck, a dynamic and strategically-minded entrepreneur, is Chief Executive Officer and founder of Hey Jackpot, LLC, a lifestyle cannabis brand focusing on business consulting, live events and cannabis advocacy. For nearly two years, she was Vice Chair of Women Grow Los Angeles, developing and producing one of the most successful cannabis B2B networking events in the LA area, now rebranded as Connecting Cannabis. She worked diligently on the Prop 64 Adult Use of Marijuana Act campaign in California and continues her advocacy by working closely with the State’s Bureau of Cannabis Control on licensing and regulations as well as locally with cities including West Hollywood and Beverly Hills to help create fair, equitable and inclusive cannabis policy for everyone.
Prior to engaging in the cannabis industry, Jackie spent her time as founder and CEO of Footprint Worldwide, a China-centric entertainment marketing, branding, and production company based in Los Angeles and Beijing. With achievements spanning across the globe including 30 years in the music industry and 13 years in China, Jackie most recently served as Music and Post Production consultant to DreamWorks Animation in Shanghai. Throughout her career, she has produced hundreds of projects and combined forces with high profile talent including Madonna, Linkin Park, Quincy Jones, ESPN’s XGames, the NBA and eight time Grammy winners, The Manhattan Transfer.
Jackie is a member of NCIA, the National Cannabis Industry Association as well as the Los Angeles Cannabis Task Force and the Drug Policy Alliance. She was educated at University of California Santa Barbara and regularly volunteers her time to advocacy, education, policy, and philanthropic organizations spanning from entertainment to cannabis.
by Grow Up Conference | Aug 11, 2017
Mayor Jim Diodati won his seat as Mayor of Niagara Falls for the third consecutive time in 2018. When an elected official wins their third term, it is sometimes regarded as a considerable feat, as it is often noted as the most challenging race of their career. Mayor Jim’s 3rd term win was a challenge of epic proportions, but not in the
same way most would expect. After first being elected mayor in 2010, beating out the incumbent, Mayor Jim proved he was doing something right when he was re-elected with a whopping 84% of the vote in 2014 his second time around. But that type of major community support didn’t make his 3rd run any easier. Months before the election in 2018, Mayor Jim was diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma and underwent extensive chemotherapy over the course of that year— including right through the election. Unable to fully campaign, his team took over and did everything Jim couldn’t. Jim made only very few appearances, often with no hair, a weak voice, limited energy and was unable to shake people’s hands to protect his healing immune system. A vote for Mayor Jim was a vote of faith— for a strong and healthy future for Mayor Jim and for our City. Once again, people came out with incredible support, allowing him to handily win his seat as mayor.
Mayor Diodati has never taken the idea of teamwork lightly, but more than ever, he appreciates the sheer magic of a strong, dedicated team, along with prayer, support and a positive outlook— even in the darkest days. He has come
back since receiving a clean bill of health, more active and engaged than ever. He is focused on seeing some major
projects in Niagara Falls to fruition: year-round daily GO Train service, a new South Niagara Hospital for residents,
a cultural market hub and many more. He is more focused on living well, feeling well and sharing vitality, enthusiasm
with those around him, but one thing hasn’t changed— he remains the City of Niagara Falls’ biggest fan!
by Grow Up Conference | Aug 11, 2017
Jim Pelton has worked in public and private education for the last 25 years. He has an extensive background in skills training and education in support of employment and workforce development. He has played a foundational role in the development and implementation of Canada’s first university courses on the management of medical cannabis production under the MMPR and of pre-employment trades training in Alberta. As the Executive Director of Training Services, he is looking forward to supporting the expansion and professionalization of the cannabis industry workforce. Jim holds degrees from Concordia, York and the University of London.
by Grow Up Conference | Aug 11, 2017
Eileen is Chair of the Food and Drug Regulatory and IP Practices at Torys. She has extensive experience in the cannabis field and has advised industry stakeholders on all aspects of the Access to Cannabis for Medical Purposes Regulations including licensing and compliance. She has published numerous articles on the laws currently affecting the cannabis industry as well as the regulatory changes that will impact a diverse range of industry participants in the coming years. Eileen has almost 30 years of experience advising clients in the drug/agribusiness/food sector and has been recognized by clients and peers as Canada’s leading lawyer in regulatory law, life sciences, intellectual property and biotechnology. Eileen has been recognized by WXN as Canada’s Most Powerful Women: Top 100. She is also a member of the board of the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH). In addition to being a lawyer, Eileen is a registered patent agent in the United States and Canada.
by Grow Up Conference | Aug 11, 2017
Thomas Gerstenecker, MSc. CBCP, CD, is a leading international risk management professional. Thomas has more than 25 years of international security management experience, and has provided strategic and operational services to the public and private sectors in high risk environs globally. In addition, Thomas was an operational member with Canada’s elite Special Forces Group, JTF2. Thomas also spent 15 years with the United Nations as their Chief Security Advisor, and in his last position became the Principal Security Advisor to Michelle Bachelet, the current President of Chile. He was also awarded “Security Director of the Year” by the Canadian Security Industry in 2011.
After extensive consultation within the cannabis industry, Thomas has developed Canada’s first low profile, discreet cannabis-specific armoured transport service.
Finally, Thomas holds a Master of Science degree in Risk, Crisis, and Disaster Management from the University of Leicester, and is a Certified Business Continuity Professional.”x
by Grow Up Conference | Aug 11, 2017
Bill started working in the Greenhouse industry at 15 and has never looked back. Now, with over 4 decades of growing experience, he is turning this hard earned knowledge into the training of qualified Cannabis growers.
After completing his BSc (Agr) in Soil Science at the University of Guelph, Bill co-managed a Cut Flower/Garden Centre Greenhouse in London ON. After seven years of growing, he returned to the University of Guelph to complete an MSc in Plant Nutrition/Physiology.
Upon completion of his MSc, he was hired to turn around a struggling 450,000 square foot Greenhouse in Nova Scotia. As Production Manager, Bill transformed the operation from top to bottom by training growers, writing production plans and building a team atmosphere over a five-year period. Subsequently, he purchased Anmar Greenhouses in Fenwick, ON with his wife Linda. There, Bill developed protocols to be compliant with the CFIA’s Greenhouse Certification Program, introduced IPM, installed irrigation methods to be environmentally compliant and expanded the operation.
After 11 years of successful operation at Anmar Greenhouses, Bill decided to enter the education field in order to train the next generation of growers. In 2007, he started teaching in the Greenhouse Technician Program at Niagara College Canada (NC), of which he is now professor and coordinator.
Four years ago, Bill started providing advice to groups considering entering the Cannabis industry and he has continued to be highly involved. Working with a phenomenal team at Niagara College, and valuable input from LPs, Bill was instrumental in the development of the Commercial Cannabis Production program at NC, which will commence in September 2018.
Bill has recently launched Achene Consulting, which provides expert growing advice to the Cannabis industry. He is also Special Graduate Faculty in the Plant Agriculture department at the University of Guelph.
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