Begin your Grow Up Toronto experience with an inspiring opening address from Randy Rowe, President & CEO of Grow Up Cannabis Conference & Expo. This welcoming ceremony sets the tone for leadership development and innovative thinking throughout the event. Managers, supervisors, and aspiring leaders will gain insights on the conference’s core objectives, while hearing firsthand how strategic vision and collaborative growth can position them for success in a fast-paced industry.

Moderated By: Alex Gauthier, Origine Nature.

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.

We are excited to bring back our Brands and Buyers Speed Networking event on Tuesday, May 27, 2025! This high-energy event is designed to connect innovative cannabis brands like yours with top retail buyers in the industry, giving you the opportunity to showcase your products, expand your network, and drive business growth.

Moderated By: Atiyyah Ferouz, AgCann Consultancy.

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.

Moderated By: Sameer Padamsey, ufeelu.

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.

Moderated By: Laina Yates, Mercari Agency.

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.

Moderated By: Lisa Campbell, Mercari Agency.

Panel Description:
Sealed packaging forces retailers to justify quality they can’t touch or smell. A panel of cannabis lawyers, lab experts, compliance experts and standards advocates will unpack the newest testing, labeling, and marketing rules, trace how quality signals move from grower to shelf, and show why a high-THC label often misleads buyers. They’ll explain how the latest regulations reshape both risk and opportunity. Attendees will take home a clear playbook for smarter purchase orders, faster-moving inventory, and compliant talking points that strengthen customer trust and improves store performance.

Moderated By: Michael Elkin, The CannaBrokr

Panel Description:
Join music industry mogul and cannabis entrepreneur Steve Lobel alongside top industry experts for a dynamic discussion on how evolving U.S. cannabis policies are reshaping the North American market. This panel explores how American cannabis brands, genetics, and culture are crossing into Canada - legally and strategically. Uncover the compliance hurdles, investment opportunities, and real-world stories of cross-border ventures. Whether you're building a brand, expanding retail, or navigating regulations, this session offers practical insights into thriving in an increasingly interconnected North American cannabis economy.

Moderated By: Zaira Gaudio, Co-Chair of the Retail Cannabis Council of Ontario (RCCO).

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.

Moderated By: Jay Schwartz, Mendo Medical.

Panel Description:
Canada’s online cannabis e-commerce platforms support veterans accessing cannabis for medical purposes, yet many brick‑and‑mortar operators know little about how this sector of the industry works. This session presents current data - active Sales for Medical Purposes licences, provincial licence counts, veteran usage rates, and insurance coverage - so industry professionals can learn first-hand what this demand looks like and how it is served successfully online. Cannabis e-commerce experts will explore recent regulatory shifts, the size of Canada's medical footprint, and sales trends on veteran‑focused platforms, sharing how to align with, rather than compete against, Canada’s growing cannabis e‑commerce ecosystem.

Session 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.