CanXpo 2022 Offered Professional Networking and Diversity in the Cannabis Space

Sep 2, 2022 | News

Source: CanXpo | August 30, 2022

Thank you all for joining us at the 2022 Hampton Cannabis Expo!

We had another incredible season in East Hampton with many returning and new partners, fantastic speakers, and unique activations that made this year’s event a standout. Attendees and exhibitors alike have been praising CanXpo’s focus on professional networking, attention to diversity in the cannabis space, and range of experiences offered to those who came through our doors.

Smile! Were you caught on CanXpo Camera? Check out our photo gallery from the event for pictures of speakers, exhibitors and attendees.

Just as we can’t talk about the program without thanking our beautiful venue The Clubhouse, located in East Hampton, we can’t discuss the impact of the event without praising Chenae Bullock of the Shinnecock Indian Nation, who kicked things off with a traditional land acknowledgement. As the Managing Director of Little Beach Harvest, the Shinnecock’s first cannabis wellness company, Chenae is a community leader helping pioneer Indigenous rights within the growing industry. Her ceremony served as a powerful opener to CanXpo, and an emotional reminder to all that we need to remember the original inhabitants of this region as we build a new legacy, symbolized when Chenae handed the sacred plant offering to our founder Gary Bierfriend from the stage.

The land acknowledgment also honored the Shinnecock’s union with TILT Holdings in developing Little Beach Harvest, which will be a first-of-its-kind cannabis-based economic generator for the Indigenous community and Long Island. Everyone who witnessed Chenae’s masterful ceremony named it as the most emotional moment of the entire event.

New York’s Cannabis Control Board Chair Tremaine Wright delivered a dynamic keynote address and breaking news about the state’s regulated market. We were privileged to have Chair Wright not only as our breakout speaker, but also a dedicated public official who gives her all toward understanding the communities she’s serving. As many of you know, the portals for the Conditional Adult-Use Retail Dispensary licenses just opened, portending a great future for New York’s businesses. This was a subject of intense interest, prompting lengthy discussions. Chair Wright stayed at CanXpo throughout the entire day, answering questions and engaging with attendees, exhibitors and sponsors. From her thoughts on opportunities in hemp to the possibilities of a truly inclusive industry, her passion cannot be denied.

Our sponsors went above and beyond in their commitment to making CanXpo unforgettable this season. An immense thank you to our Gold Sponsors Advanced Flower Capital, GreenWave Advisors, TILT Holdings (in partnership with the Shinnecock Indian Nation and Little Beach Harvest), The Arcview Group and InterInsurance for your enthusiastic support. Special shout-outs to Leonard M. Tannenbaum, founder and CEO of Advanced Flower Capital, and Gary Santo, CEO of TILT Holdings, for helping create spectacular educational and inspirational experiences.

“The Hampton expo was a great insight into the New York and New Jersey markets,” said Len Tannenbaum, Founder and CEO of Advanced Flower Capital (AFCgamma.com), “[in] which New Jersey is already exciting and New York, as the second largest market, is the one to watch.”

Major kudos go to our talented emcee Cedric Haynes, Associate Vice President of Government Relations at Weedmaps, who kept everything flowing with the proper soul and energy. We deeply appreciated the welcome presence of the Weedmaps team around the entire event.

In case you missed it, here are the highlights of our speaker lineup and program:

  • A Fireside Chat on Lending and the Cannabis Landscape took place between Leonard M. Tannenbaum of Advanced Flower Capital, and Matt Karnes of GreenWave Advisors. As the nation gets closer to passing the SAFE Banking Act, how will that impact cannabis businesses? Will creditors be encouraged to do business with our industry? Time will tell. AFCgamma.com is the top institutional lender for collateralized lending to the strongest operators.
  • The Insurance panel sponsored by InterInsurance saw Jodi Green, Esq. of Miller Nash Law, John Fleming of Triton Claims Management and Frank Galvin, CEO of White Eagle Holdings Inc. explain how cannabis businesses can benefit from insurance. From building insurance for facilities to health insurance plans for developing workforces, this is a whole area of ancillary service to cannabis that is rapidly opening as the industry matures and challenges evolve.
  • Investment guru Jeff Finkle, CEO of The Arcview Group, emceed the Investment panel, a chat with Howard Goodwin, co-founder of Intrinsic Capital Partners, and Jack Mascone, Head of Capital Markets at Seaport Global. These pioneers brought their decades of experience in finance to the table in this once-in-a-lifetime gathering, exploring the recent and sometimes volatile trends of investment into the cannabis industry.
  • Gary Santo of TILT Holdings and Chenae Bullock reunited for a Fireside Chat onstage with Her Highness co-founder Laura Eisman, and Women Grow’s Tristate Market Leader Tanya Osbourne. The quartet had an engaging conversation on women and minority leadership in the industry, and how to support emerging entrepreneurs in social equity categories.
  • At the Mergers, Acquisitions and Debt panel, our experts analyzed the results of a year that’s seen more expansive and expensive mergers in the industry than ever before. David Feldman, Esq., co-founder and CEO of Skip Intro Advisors; Neal Kaufman, Managing Director of Kaufman McGowan PLLC; and Joe Camberato, CEO of National Business Capital, discussed their predictions for the next phase of the cannabis space as more states go legal. It also highlighted the recent trend towards industry consolidation and debt given the diminished growth equity available.
  • Matt Karnes also stayed around for the Accounting panel, joining John Pelliterri of Grassi Advisors CPA, Elena Mervine of CohnReznick, and Jill Scher of Marcum CPA. These expert accountants examined the new opportunities and challenges facing CPAs as the cannabis landscape gets more complex.
  • The Advocacy and Government Relations panel, emceed by industry icon Jeanne M. Sullivan of Arcview Ventures, brought new dimensions to the questions of legacy operators, social equity, and equal representation in the legal transition. Scheril Murray Powell, Chief Investment Officer of the JustUs Foundation; Lou Magazzu, Esq., Founding Principal of The Law Offices of Louis N. Magazzu, Esq.; and Matt Leonardo, Esq., Principal of Hinman Straub, each shared their expertise in working to expand pathways for legacy and marginalized communities in the tristate area.
  • Courtney Barnes of Skip Intro Advisors delivered CanXpo’s inaugural psychedelics presentation to wild acclaim. A lead drafter of the nation’s first voter-initiated psilocybin policy reform ordinance, Courtney has unparalleled experience drafting local psychedelics legislation and policy reform measures. This historic talk drew enormous interest, which can only continue to grow.

Scheril Murray Powell represented the JustUs Foundation as CanXpo’s charitable organization partner. Founded by cannabis industry pioneer Steve DeAngelo, the nonprofit is dedicated to ensuring and facilitating the entry of legacy cannabis entrepreneurs into the legal market.

We were also pleased to have Ryan Verneuille, host of the nationally-syndicated radio program The Ryan Show and FOX Sports What’s Going On, present throughout the day to provide running commentary and follow-up interviews with the numerous industry leaders.

Music reigned all during the program. The sweet sounds of SALTY, the electronic tropical group featuring Lee Kalt and DJ Xandra K, gave old favorites new twists. Long Island native Mark MK, known for his collaborations with Snoop Dogg and Jim Jones, brought the fascinating rhythm. And opera singer Massimiliano Cims raised the roof with gorgeous tones designed to call everyone’s attention to the stage.

Inside the Clubhouse everyone’s culinary palate was delighted to the utmost with an infused gourmet buffet from CannaMoji Edibles, Chef For Higher, Desired Desserts LLC / Mrs. Incredible Edible, Ethereal Eats By Lee, I Can’t Believe It’s Pot Butter, Long Island Dankery, Mary Bud Chocolates, and Refined Infusions. Marijinara Pizza, Good Fucking Wine, Viaquavit and Ghost Tequila capped off the evening. Nothing cannabis enthusiasts love more than a good meal!

Again, we absolutely could not have made any of this possible without our generous sponsors. Our thanks to these terrific partners.

And our final thanks? To YOU! Your presence and passion for the cannabis industry make CanXpo what it is. Please tell us how we can continue to make each season bigger, better, and special for you.

Keep an eye out for recap articles from our partners and stay tuned for updates on our next CanXpo in Palm Beach, coming Spring 2023! Until then, wishing you the best of success in these green and golden fields. Happy harvest!