Schedule-at-a-Glance
Monday May 26, 2025
Global Executive Summit
Exploring the Future of Global
7:45am - 8:45pm
Breakfast / Keynote
8:45am - 5:30pm
Panel Discussions
5:30 pm – 6:00 pm
Cocktail Reception
6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Awards Cocktail Reception
7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Grow Up Awards Gala
8:00 pm – 12:00 am
Meet theExhibitors / Post Awards party
Tuesday May 27, 2025
Industry Conference and Expo
8:00 am – 5:00 pm
Conference and Expo Registration
9:00 am – 10:00 am
Exhibitor and VIP Morning Coffee and Networking (Expo Hall Networking Lounge)
All-Access and VIP delegates only
9:00 am – 6:00 pm
Consumption Lounge
10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Grow Up Expo
10:00 am – 5:00 pm
High North Main Stage
11:00 am – 3:30 pm
Retail Speed Networking
3:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Seed Exchange
8:00 pm – 2:00 am
Grow Up Official Networking party
El Mocambo
Wednesday May 28, 2025
Industry Conference and Expo
9:00 am – 3:00 pm
Conference and Expo Registration
9:00 am – 10:00 am
Exhibitor and VIP Morning Coffee and Networking (Expo Hall Networking Lounge)
All-Access and VIP delegates only
9:00 am – 3:00 pm
Consumption Lounge
10:00 am – 3:00 pm
Grow Up Expo
10:00 am – 3:00 pm
High North Main Stage
10:30 am – 2:00 pm
Budtender Breakout Sessions
1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Seed / Clone Exchange
2025 Schedule
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Andrew Nunez-Alvarez
Founder / Lead Developer,
LEGACYTEK (AALP Class 20)
Canada -
Randy Rowe
President,
Grow Up Cannabis Conference & Expo
Canada
-
Alexandre Gauthier
VP of R&D, Director of Cultivation,
Origine Nature
Canada -
Dave Bow
CEO,
Origine Nature
Canada -
John Slaughter
Founder & CEO,
High North, Inc.
Canada -
Rob Smallman
President,
Avitas Global
Portugal -
Steve Clark
CEO,
Canadian Cannabis Exchange
Canada
Panel Description:
As international cannabis markets gain momentum, growers, breeders, and industry professionals must learn how to build lasting relationships beyond Canada. This session explores how to establish strong export connections in regions like Germany, the UK, and other developing markets. Speakers will share strategies for navigating regulatory barriers, understanding local business practices, and building trusted networks with buyers, distributors, and government contacts. Attendees will hear real-world examples of successful global expansion and leave with a clear understanding of how to position their cannabis business for long-term success on the international stage.
-
Atiyyah Ferouz
Founder,
AgCann Consultancy
Canada -
Brad Acton
Co-Founder & Head Grower,
Frost Cannabis
Canada -
Daniel Torres
Master Grower,
TorrCann Craft Cannabis
Canada -
Kostas Andrianopoulos
President,
Imperial Gro Corp.
Canada
Panel Description:
This session guides retailers through the reasons why three successful Ontario micro-licensed cultivators turned to overseas markets first - focusing on how they found revenue opportunities beyond Canada’s crowded recreational sector. Attendees will learn about the benefits and drawbacks of exporting from a micro-cultivator’s vantage point, along with proven strategies for building global relationships that yield consistent international sales. The discussion will also address what needs to change in provincial wholesale frameworks to encourage more micro-cultivators to consider local sales, ultimately helping retailers engage with an expanded range of high-quality products.
-
Brendan Schlosser
General Manager,
Sensi Brands Inc.
Canada -
David Brown
Founder,
StratCann
Canada -
Nathan Turner
Regional Manager,
Lolly Cannabis
Canada -
Riel Roussopoulos
Head of Marketing,
Breadstack
Canada
Panel Description:
This session is specifically designed for retail owners and store managers to learn practical strategies that have launched successful retail delivery programs across Ontario. Industry professionals experienced in implementing profitable retail delivery services will walk you through retail tech solutions that track and manage orders in real-time, while highlighting how to identify and serve your ideal audience - whether you operate in rural or urban settings across Ontario. You’ll also hear success stories from Ontario cannabis retailers who’ve boosted revenue by implementing delivery services within their regions. Attendees will leave with proven tactics to streamline operations, enhance customer satisfaction, and scale business revenue through cannabis retail delivery.
-
David Brown
Founder,
StratCann
Canada -
Dia Friedman
GTA Sales Manager,
Woody Nelson Inc.
Canada -
Jeff Tseng
Founder,
Roots Collective
Canada
Panel Description:
This session explores how producer pricing, marketing, and provincial markups sets the stage for wholesale orders and why these key metrics often guide which products hit retail shelves. Industry experts will teach retail owners, store managers and supervisors how to balance price, lab results, and consumer demand - offering data-driven tips for diversifying inventory and improving profit margins. Learn how targeted marketing and brand representatives can shape purchasing habits, drive high-demand SKUs, and give consumers the confidence to make informed choices. Participants will leave with practical strategies for accessing and analyzing data, fine-tuning product selection, cultivating brand/product loyalty, and creating a more informed experience that keeps both retailers and consumers satisfied in Ontario’s recreational cannabis market.
-
David Brown
Founder,
StratCann
Canada -
Dr. Greg Patterson
CEO & Founder,
A&L Canada Laboratories
Canada -
Easton Klaudi
Cultivation Manager,
JC Green
Canada
Panel Description:
Retail owners, inventory purchasers, and store managers often see the end result - but how the crop is grown directly impacts product quality and consumer satisfaction. This session introduces the agronomic science behind cannabis farming highlighting the differences between cultivation environments and variables like lighting, genetics, and feeding programs. Led by A&L Labs and experienced cultivators, the discussion will focus on how proper nutrient strategies and agronomic best practices can reduce pathogens, improve yield, and produce a more consistent, high-quality flower. Attendees will leave with a stronger understanding of the professional standards needed to deliver a better product from cultivation to shelf.
-
Jennifer Maccarone
Consultant,
Total GxP Inc.
Canada -
Keith Bao
Managing Partner,
AVEO Vapour Devices
Canada -
Kori Ainsworth
VP of Quality & Regulatory Affairs,
Cannabis Co-pack
Canada
Panel Description:
Ambitious supervisors seeking to move beyond middle management are often faced with nonstop responsibilities in the cannabis industry. This panel takes a firm stance on pushing through ordinary fatigue, while underscoring the real differences between feeling tired and truly reaching a breaking point. Expert speakers - who have successfully transitioned from manager to leader - will share coping strategies that maintain mental health, promote strong performance, and keep pace with industry demands. Attendees will leave equipped with practical strategies to stay focused, sustain their well-being, and advance into higher-level roles without letting everyday challenges become an excuse.
-
Clifford Tindall
Owner/Manager,
Spiritleaf (Little Italy)
Canada -
Gerrit Brouwer
Operations Manager,
OPP Provincial Joint Forces Cannabis Enforcement Team (PJFCET)
Canada -
Tara Murphy
Program Manager,
OPP Provincial Joint Forces Cannabis Enforcement Team (PJFCET)
Canada -
Zaira Gaudio
Co-Founder/Creative Director,
Curious Cannabis Co.
Canada
Panel Description:
Licensed retailers across Ontario are under constant pressure to compete with illicit shops that avoid all taxes and regulations. This panel explores how retail associations are working alongside provincial efforts to protect consumers through retailer-led initiatives. Attendees will learn about the various forms of unregulated access points, why it poses a risk to safe access, why retailers are concerned, and how licensed retailers can level the playing field from a harm reduction lens.
-
Andrew Nunez-Alvarez
Founder / Lead Developer,
LEGACYTEK (AALP Class 20)
Canada -
Peter Pakalnis
CEO,
Growtown Medical / Ze Feng International
Canada
Panel Description:
This session helps retail owners and managers refine their customer service approach by drawing insights from established and emerging medical e-commerce platforms - without viewing them solely as competition. Cannabis e-commerce industry professionals will break down how many cannabis businesses hold Sales for Medical Purposes licenses across Canada and illustrate the differences in operating costs between online medical e-commerce and traditional cannabis retail storefronts. By comparing the direct-to-consumer medical cannabis e-commerce model with the recreational provincial wholesale framework, attendees will learn how consumer behavior differs between medical cannabis e-commerce and in-store retail, and discover practical ways to improve their own operations without viewing online cannabis e-commerce providers as direct competitors.
-
David Brown
Founder,
StratCann
Canada -
Kevin Jodrey
Founder,
One Log Cookies R&D Facility
USA
Panel Description:
Kevin Jodrey’s keynote will guide retail industry professionals on understanding the importance of applying a “craft” mindset to producers of any size. He shows how careful attention to detail can create unique value, even as the industry normalizes and shifts toward commercial cultivation. Attendees will discover that “craft” isn’t limited to smaller producers - rather, it’s a pathway for better product lines, more sustainable practices, and meeting evolving consumer expectations. Kevin’s goal is to inspire positive change by merging artisanal quality with commercial efficiency, ultimately bringing greater value to both the marketplace and the environment.
-
Atiyyah Ferouz
Founder,
AgCann Consultancy
Canada
Panel Description:
This panel brings together Indigenous cannabis producers and representatives from Indigenous cannabis commissions to share their experiences navigating a system that often fails to reflect their realities. Panelists will discuss why many Indigenous communities have developed their own regulatory frameworks, the challenges of operating without a Health Canada license, and the barriers that exist when attempting to access broader markets, genetics, and fair licensing pathways. This session offers licensed producers and industry stakeholders an honest look at the current landscape - and the need for meaningful inclusion, equity, and collaboration in Canada’s legal cannabis industry.
-
Andrew Baukham
CEO,
Leven Therapeutics Inc.
Canada -
Dan Pomerantz
Founder / CEO,
Rebel Grown
USA -
Dr. Av Singh
Executive Director,
Scotian Cannabis Alliance
Canada -
Martin Johnston
CEO / Co-Founder,
Lune Rise Farms
Canada -
Tim Balogh
CEO,
Farmaira Cannabis
Canada
Panel Description:
This session features seasoned outdoor cannabis farmers and outdoor cannabis genetic breeders who will share their firsthand insights on commercial-scale outdoor cultivation. Learn about how genetics bred for specific outdoor climates can achieve a greater resistance towards pathogenic and environmental challenges, causing more consistent yields and greater final sale prices. Discover the true cost differences between outdoor, greenhouse, and indoor cultivation methods, and learn why outdoor production may prove to be an effective business model as the industry continues to stabilize. Attendees will also gain best agricultural practices unique to outdoor cannabis farming, helping new outdoor growers avoid common pitfalls and capitalize on opportunities that indoor and greenhouse growers might overlook.
-
Dr. Av Singh
Executive Director,
Scotian Cannabis Alliance
Canada -
Jason Bent
Director of Policy Research,
Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA)
Panel Description:
Do you grow cannabis in Ontario? Please join our special guest speaker, Jason Bent, Director of Policy Research at the Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA), to learn how cannabis farmers can become part of Ontario’s largest general farm organization - one that proudly represents 38,000 family farm members across Ontario.
Discover how the Farm Property Class Tax Rate program might benefit your cannabis farming operation, and see how OFA’s advocacy, policy work, and local leadership initiatives support a stronger, more sustainable future for cannabis farmers across the province. Whether you’re seeking to reduce costs, navigate regulatory challenges, or join a community of like-minded farmers, this special presentation offers a direct path to the resources and expertise that will help cannabis growers thrive under the OFA banner.
-
Imran Rashid
Founder,
Extractwise
Canada
Panel Description:
Designed for retail owners, store managers, and inventory buyers, this session unpacks the unique challenges of bringing concentrates to a broader consumer base in Ontario retail markets. Learn from successful industry extractors who have dialed in cost-efficient production, earned premium shelf space under their brand, and adapted to different generational consumer preferences. Discover how future trends - fueled by more affordable inputs - will open new opportunities for product innovation and profit. Attendees will gain practical strategies for selecting the right concentrates, addressing common barriers, and meeting the evolving expectations of today’s customers while preparing for tomorrow’s marketplace.
-
Chris Allard
Marketing Design Manager,
Biofloral
Canada -
Coleman Retzlaff
National Director of Sales - Agriculture,
Quest Climate
Canada -
Henrique Dias
CEO,
BudTrainer
Canada -
Jason Stanley
National Sales / Marketing Director,
Biofloral
Canada -
Leigh-Ann Clarke
Director of Sales (Canada),
HC Companies x CHG
Canada -
Shay Vitonsky
Sales & Marketing Director,
DYNOMYCO
Canada
Please Note: Seating is limited and the event is strictly for cannabis growers. Admission to this special event is by invite-only.
If you're a grower, apply to attend below for your chance to receive an invite to The Grower's Luncheon.

ALL GROWERS & BREEDERS MUST APPLY
BY COMPLETING THE FORM
IN THE LINK BELOW:
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Hannah Treadway
Territory Sales Manager,
FIGR
Canada -
Imran Rashid
Founder,
Extractwise
Canada -
Nayyir Sunderji
Director of Sales,
CannSell
Canada
Panel Description:
This session explores high-demand skillsets and abilities that have propelled many budtenders into supervisory, management, and even brand-representative roles in the industry. Aimed at ambitious budtenders and middle managers eager to move up, attendees will learn about the impact of intentional mentorship - how to seek it, build meaningful relationships with potential mentors, and effectively request guidance to become a stronger professional. Attendees will takeaway a clear roadmap for developing the right in-demand skills and invaluable connections needed to evolve and thrive in leadership positions within a highly competitive cannabis retail landscape.
-
Clifford Tindall
Owner/Manager,
Spiritleaf (Little Italy)
Canada -
Katy Perry
Owner,
Toke Cannabis
Canada -
Prince
Owner,
Holland Daze
Canada -
Thomas Esufali
Owner,
Cannabis Hut
Canada -
Yasas Weerasingha
CEO,
High Society
Canada
Panel Description:
If you’re a cannabis producer or retail professional, this session will give you a firsthand look at the winning approaches behind Ontario’s highest-performing recreational cannabis retailers. Attendees will discover which retailers are commanding the market, the products driving top-tier sales, how these retailers learn about upcoming consumer trends, and how they consistently meet their target customer's demands in a fast-paced market. Attendees will gain insights into the next steps these leading retailers plan to take for continued profitability and building stronger customer loyalty. Network and learn from experienced, high-performing Ontario retail professionals, only at Grow Up Conference & Expo.
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Jaime Lipowitz
Founder,
High Buds Club
Canada -
Katy Perry
Owner,
Toke Cannabis
Canada
Panel Description:
This session is designed for experienced budtenders, supervisors, and retail owners who want to learn how to improve sales performance in Ontario. Learn proven techniques to increase conversion rates, move product faster, and grow basket sizes - both in-store and online. Industry experts will share industry-specific strategies to upsell effectively at checkout, guide customers with confidence, and maximize revenue while maintaining a positive, compliant retail experience.
Speaker Submissions
If you are in the cannabis growing industry and would like the opportunity to speak at Grow Up Conference and Expo, please click here to apply.