News

Legal, legacy mix at virtual Growing Summit

Published on August 20, 2020 by David Wylie

A virtual cannabis conference next week will bring together legal and legacy growers to share their experiences.

The Growing Summit is a great opportunity for those in the industry to network, especially in the pandemic. The conference runs on Monday and Tuesday.

“It is such an amazing way to participate and learn in the comfort of your own home,” said Stephanie Ostrander, who chairs the planning committee.

It was initially scheduled for this past spring in downtown Kelowna, but it had to be postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Holding a digital conference has its benefits, including cost and convenience; and it facilitates learning, as it’s easier to share slide decks.

Attendees will have the chance to join in a big digital networking session called The Roll Call. | Instagram/@stephen_lewis_loops

“A lot of the talks are being pre-recorded as we speak,” she said during an interview Thursday with the oz.

Speakers tape their sessions in advance, meaning the sound can be edited for quality. It also limits potential technical difficulties with live feeds.

That doesn’t mean there won’t be opportunities for interaction. Most panelists and moderators will be available for Q&As after the sessions.

There are also multiple ways to network, including round-table chat rooms, the ability to connect one-on-one with other attendees, and a big online networking event – called The Roll Call.

Speakers include one of the first people in Canada allowed to grow their own medical cannabis; the CEO of Okanagan-based BlueSky Organics; a co-founder of Lift & Co.; the first ‘real’ cannabis sommelier; a former VP at Sundial; a cannabis business advisor with Community Futures; a multi-time Cannabis Cup winning grower; co-founder of The Cannabis Conservancy, and many more.

“We want to give people some practical tools that they can apply to either their regulated facility or a facility that’s considering transitioning,” said Ostrander.

Ticket prices vary. A regular one-person pass is $199 for the two days. Readers of the oz. can use the code S50 to receive 50% off. Register here. If you’re interested, but $100 is still too much of a barrier, contact us at [email protected] and we will hook you up.