Cannabis Capital Conference 2026

Join the Leading Decision-Makers in Cannabis This June in Chicago!

Be part of the conversation from June 14 to June 16 as we wrap up what could be one of the most pivotal six-month periods for cannabis entrepreneurs in recent memory.

IgniteIt’s Cannabis Capital Conference is the ultimate destination to raise capital, close deals, and find the perfect partners to take your business to the next level. With over 120 thought leaders and 2,000 attendees—this is your opportunity to network with the best in the business.

Don’t miss out—secure your spot today!

Christine Hersey
Chief Corporate Affairs & Strategy Officer
Trulieve

Jared Maloof
Co-Founder & CEO
Standard Wellness

Angela Pih
Founder
Point Brand

Richie Proud
CEO
iAnthus

Dominique White
Regional Director
Ivy Hall

Jamie Pearson
President
New Holland Group

Dennis O'Malley
Founder and Principal
Echtrai Corp

Sahar Ayinehsazian
Partner
A.Y. Strauss

Trent Woloveck
Chief Strategy Director
Jushi

Samuel Brill
CEO & Director
Ascend Wellness Holdings

Aaron Miles
Chief Investment Officer
Verano

Laurie Parfitt
Founder & CEO
LKP Impact Consulting

Matthew Melander
President
Sun Theory

Dave Vautrin
CEO
FLUENT Cannabis

Cristina Aranguiz
CEO
Minnesota Cannabis Services

Ankur Rungta
Co-Founder & CEO
C3 Industries

Gibran Washington
CEO
Ethos Cannabis

Stephanie Pow
Founder & Head of Global Talent + Growth
Emerald Lane Recruitment

Shawn Collins
Founder
The Homegrown Consulting Group, LLC

Daniela Williams
Director of Sales
Green Leaf Business Solutions

Jeff Freeman
Co-Founder & CCO
Mfused

Jake P. Kelinson
Associate General Counsel
Sweetspot

Sara Payan
Creator and Host; Partner & VP of PR & Communications
Planted with Sara Payan Podcast; Pulse Signal Agency

Joseph Bayern
CEO
MM Brands

Ryan Dominguez
Executive Director
Massachusetts Cannabis Coalition

Alison Bauer
Partner, Co-Chair, Bankruptcy & Restructuring Practice; Co-Partner in Charge NY Office
Foley Hoag

Darren Gleeman
Managing Partner
MBO Ventures

Emma Andrews
CEO
Nextleaf Solutions

Jordan Youkilis
Founding Partner
KEY Investment Partners

Matt Holland
Head of Strategy and Sales Enablement
PAX Labs

Sandra Bergman
Founder & CEO
ESBE Marketing

Mitchell Osak
President
Quanta Consulting Inc

Kim Sanchez Rael
CEO & Cofounder
Azuca

Chris Violas
CEO
BLAZE

Cam Rizai
Head of Business Development
PufCreativ

Elizabeth Rice
Director Sales Operations
Kiva Brands

Christopher Guthrie
Director, Go to Market
365 Cannabis / Innovia Consulting

Jessica Ferranti
CEO
The Mycelia Group

Jim Higdon
Co-Founder and CCO, Cornbread Hemp; Chairman, US Hemp Roundtable
Cornbread Hemp

Ian Dominguez
Founder
Delta Emerald Ventures

Caroline Riggs
Executive Vice President of Retail & Marketing
Copperstate Farms

Frank Segall
Partner, Co-Chair, Cannabis Practice
Blank Rome LLP

Irina Dashevsky
Partner & Co-Chair of the Cannabis Law Group
Greenspoon Marder LLP

Joe Collins
Partner
Fox Rothschild

Ryan Crandall
Chief Commercial Officer
MariMed

Kim Prince
Founder & CEO
Proven Media

Adam Carlson
Senior Managing Director, Investment Banking
Alliance Global Partners

Allen Wilen
Partner
Eisner Advisory Group LLC

Curtis Robbins
Principal
FocusGrowth Asset Management, LP

Sander Zagzebski
Partner
Clark Hill

Scott Vasterling
Founder
Humboldt Family Farms

Sunday, June 14, 2026
6:00 PM	Kick-Off Reception 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM More Info Parties & Activations
Monday, June 15, 2026
7:30 AM	REGISTRATION OPENS 7:30 AM - 9:00 AM More Info
8:00 AM	Speed Networking 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM More Info General Session (5th Floor)
9:10 AM	The Medical Lane: How CBD and Pharma Fit the Present and Future of Cannabis Policy 9:10 AM - 9:40 AM More Info General Session (5th Floor)
10:00 AM	The CLIMB Act: A New Bridge for Financial Institutions into Cannabis 10:00 AM - 10:30 AM More Info General Session (5th Floor)
10:30 AM	Redefining Risk: What Investors Want in a More Selective Market 10:30 AM - 11:00 AM More Info General Session (5th Floor)
11:00 AM	Tri-State Meetup 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM More Info Parties & Activations
11:30 AM	The Buyer’s Lens: How Operators Evaluate M&A in a Shifting Market 11:30 AM - 12:00 PM More Info General Session (5th Floor)
12:00 PM	Lunch 12:00 PM - 12:50 PM More Info	VIP Roundtables 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM More Info Held in our VIP Stage (VIP Area of 5th Floor) Four Discussions held in a roundtable format each day (June 15th & June 16th). Each discussion will be led and moderated but will allow for open dialogue on a variety of topics. VIP Torchbearers Stage: Building Better Operators (5th Floor)
1:00 PM	Selling Weed Is the Hard Part: What Actually Drives Growth Today 1:00 PM - 1:30 PM More Info General Session (5th Floor)	California Meetup 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM More Info Parties & Activations
1:50 PM	When Does Cannabis Get Interesting? How Leading Operators Think About What’s Next 1:50 PM - 2:20 PM More Info General Session (5th Floor)
2:00 PM	Restructuring in the Weeds: The Cannabis Workout Toolbox 2:00 PM - 2:45 PM More Info VIP Torchbearers Stage: Building Better Operators (5th Floor)	Colorado Meetup 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM More Info Parties & Activations
2:40 PM	The Credit Stack: How Cannabis Debt Actually Works Today 2:40 PM - 3:10 PM More Info General Session (5th Floor)
3:10 PM	Can AI Sell Weed? What Cannabis Retail Should Automate—and What It Shouldn’t 3:10 PM - 3:40 PM More Info General Session (5th Floor)
4:00 PM	Convenience Wins: How Beverages Navigate the State-by-State Retail Map 4:00 PM - 4:30 PM More Info
4:30 PM	The Pushback Playbook: How States Are Fighting Bans and Protecting Cannabis Progress 4:30 PM - 5:00 PM More Info General Session (5th Floor)
5:00 PM	Closing Remarks 5:00 PM - 5:05 PM More Info General Session (5th Floor)	Cocktail Reception (5th Floor Foyer) 5:00 PM - 6:30 PM More Info Parties & Activations
6:00 PM	IgniteIt Cannabis Pairing Buyers Dinner 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM More Info On June 15th, an exclusive group of 20 hand-picked CEOs, key decision-makers, and members of the press will gather for the IgniteIt Cannabis Pairing Buyers Dinner; a premier experiential event designed to facilitate deals and authentic industry connections. In collaboration with Cloud 9 Studios LLC and Cultivating Spirits, this 3-course gourmet journey is guided by sensory experience expert Philip Wolf. The evening features a revolutionary smoking protocol that provides a sophisticated setting for brands to activate their products in a guided, mindful consumption environment. Blending elite hospitality, brand strategy, and world-class cuisine, this dinner offers an unparalleled atmosphere for strategic networking and high-impact brand visibility. Attendance is FREE for selected applicants (a $250 value). Approval is required to secure a seat for this experience. Apply here. Parties & Activations
9:00 PM	Official After-Party 9:00 PM - 11:59 PM More Info Parties & Activations
Tuesday, June 16, 2026
7:30 AM	REGISTRATION OPENS 7:30 AM - 9:00 AM More Info
11:00 AM	Illinois Meetup 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM More Info Held in the Media Stage (7th Floor, Back Left of the Deal Floor) Parties & Activations
12:00 PM	Lunch 12:00 PM - 12:50 PM More Info	VIP Roundtables 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM More Info Four Discussions held in a roundtable format each day (June 15th & June 16th). Each discussion will be led and moderated but will allow for open dialogue on a variety of topics. VIP Torchbearers Stage: Building Better Operators (5th Floor)
1:00 PM	DMV Meetup - D.C., Virginia, & Maryland 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM More Info Held in the Media Stage (7th Floor, Back Left of the Deal Floor) Parties & Activations
2:00 PM	Ohio Valley Meetup 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM More Info Parties & Activations
5:00 PM	Closing Remarks 5:00 PM - 5:05 PM More Info General Session (5th Floor)	Cocktail Reception (5th Floor Foyer) 5:00 PM - 6:30 PM More Info
Wednesday, June 17, 2026
9:00 AM	Hoodie Analytics Presents: Sessions 360 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM More Info The premiere event for cannabis market intelligence and data analytics. Hoodie Analytics Presents Sessions 360 - 2026 Get ready to dive deep into the world of data and tech with Sessions 360! This is your chance to join fellow tech enthusiasts in person for an epic day of insights, networking, and hands-on learning. Whether you're a pro or just curious, Hoodie Analytics has something exciting lined up to boost your skills and connect you with the community. Don’t miss out on the fun and knowledge. See you there! 20 N Wacker Dr. Chicago, IL Parties & Activations

Sunday, June 14, 2026
6:00 PM - 8:00 PM																Kick-Off Reception
Monday, June 15, 2026
7:30 AM - 9:00 AM																REGISTRATION OPENS
8:00 AM - 9:00 AM																Speed Networking
9:10 AM - 9:40 AM																The Medical Lane: How CBD and Pharma Fit the Present and Future of Cannabis Policy
10:00 AM - 10:30 AM																The CLIMB Act: A New Bridge for Financial Institutions into Cannabis
10:30 AM - 11:00 AM																Redefining Risk: What Investors Want in a More Selective Market
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM																Tri-State Meetup
11:30 AM - 12:00 PM																The Buyer’s Lens: How Operators Evaluate M&A in a Shifting Market
12:00 PM - 12:50 PM																Lunch
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM																VIP Roundtables Held in our VIP Stage (VIP Area of 5th Floor) Four Discussions held in a roundtable format each day (June 15th & June 16th). Each discussion will be led and moderated but will allow for open dialogue on a variety of topics.
1:00 PM - 1:30 PM																Selling Weed Is the Hard Part: What Actually Drives Growth Today
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM																California Meetup
1:50 PM - 2:20 PM																When Does Cannabis Get Interesting? How Leading Operators Think About What’s Next
2:00 PM - 2:45 PM																Restructuring in the Weeds: The Cannabis Workout Toolbox
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM																Colorado Meetup
2:40 PM - 3:10 PM																The Credit Stack: How Cannabis Debt Actually Works Today
3:10 PM - 3:40 PM																Can AI Sell Weed? What Cannabis Retail Should Automate—and What It Shouldn’t
4:00 PM - 4:30 PM																Convenience Wins: How Beverages Navigate the State-by-State Retail Map
4:30 PM - 5:00 PM																The Pushback Playbook: How States Are Fighting Bans and Protecting Cannabis Progress
5:00 PM - 5:05 PM																Closing Remarks
5:00 PM - 6:30 PM																Cocktail Reception (5th Floor Foyer)
6:00 PM - 9:00 PM																IgniteIt Cannabis Pairing Buyers Dinner On June 15th, an exclusive group of 20 hand-picked CEOs, key decision-makers, and members of the press will gather for the IgniteIt Cannabis Pairing Buyers Dinner; a premier experiential event designed to facilitate deals and authentic industry connections. In collaboration with Cloud 9 Studios LLC and Cultivating Spirits, this 3-course gourmet journey is guided by sensory experience expert Philip Wolf. The evening features a revolutionary smoking protocol that provides a sophisticated setting for brands to activate their products in a guided, mindful consumption environment. Blending elite hospitality, brand strategy, and world-class cuisine, this dinner offers an unparalleled atmosphere for strategic networking and high-impact brand visibility. Attendance is FREE for selected applicants (a $250 value). Approval is required to secure a seat for this experience. Apply here.
9:00 PM - 11:59 PM																Official After-Party
Tuesday, June 16, 2026
7:30 AM - 9:00 AM																REGISTRATION OPENS
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM																Illinois Meetup Held in the Media Stage (7th Floor, Back Left of the Deal Floor)
12:00 PM - 12:50 PM																Lunch
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM																VIP Roundtables Four Discussions held in a roundtable format each day (June 15th & June 16th). Each discussion will be led and moderated but will allow for open dialogue on a variety of topics.
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM																DMV Meetup - D.C., Virginia, & Maryland Held in the Media Stage (7th Floor, Back Left of the Deal Floor)
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM																Ohio Valley Meetup
5:00 PM - 5:05 PM																Closing Remarks
5:00 PM - 6:30 PM																Cocktail Reception (5th Floor Foyer)
Wednesday, June 17, 2026
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM																Hoodie Analytics Presents: Sessions 360 The premiere event for cannabis market intelligence and data analytics. Hoodie Analytics Presents Sessions 360 - 2026 Get ready to dive deep into the world of data and tech with Sessions 360! This is your chance to join fellow tech enthusiasts in person for an epic day of insights, networking, and hands-on learning. Whether you're a pro or just curious, Hoodie Analytics has something exciting lined up to boost your skills and connect you with the community. Don’t miss out on the fun and knowledge. See you there! 20 N Wacker Dr. Chicago, IL

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