At Flower Expo, we offer a unique series of conference panels known as Seshes, designed to foster open-form conversations among cannabis industry insiders. Each panel is tailored to address key topics relevant to the event’s cannabis landscape. Featuring a rotating lineup of discussions with experts from across the industry. brands, buyers, and other stakeholders have the opportunity to engage with thought leaders on the most important subjects impacting their businesses.

Illinois

March 25, 2025

Massachusetts

June 04 - June 05, 2025

Michigan

August 2025

SEASON THREE | MARCH 2025

Chicago, Illinois

To kick off Season 3 of SESHES, Flower Expo makes its debut in Chicago on March 25, 2025. Our Illinois series features industry leaders from top brands such as KANHA, Green Thumb Industries, Legacy Cannabis, and KIVA, along with retail representatives from shops like Hatch Dispensary, Sociale, Village Dispensary, and Ivy Hall. Join us from 12:30 PM – 3:30 PM at Flower Expo Illinois to gain insight from these wonderful panelists!

12:30 PM – 1:15 PM

Navigating the Illinois Retail Market

Charmaine Chua

SVP of Sales

Sunderstorm / KANHA

Charmaine Chua

Coming Soon

John Hirsch

Purchasing & Procurement Manager

Sociale Dispensary

John Hirsch

At the helm of Socíale Dispensary's purchasing department, John's focus is on strategic sourcing and fostering robust vendor partnerships. With 20 year background in the industry and leading Irie Care Delivery, John brings a wealth of expertise in optimizing supply chain operations and spearheading cost-saving initiatives.His ability to analyze market trends and demand patterns has been instrumental in enhancing purchasing efficiency and supplier performance at Socíale.

John have an extensive network within the cannabis industry all over the country and a deep understanding of Illinois cannabis compliance regulations. His expertise spans across cannabis products and team development. I consistently push for innovation and excellence in dispensary management, raising the bar for operational efficiency and product selection.

Brittney Youkhana

District Manager

BLOC Dispensary

Brittney Youkhana

I started working in the cannabis industry back in 2020. I’ve excelled my career by working every position in retail and now as a district manager. I want to share my growth and advice to any and all who desire.

Jasmine Frederick

Back of House Supervisor

PharmaCann / Verilife

Jasmine Frederick

When I turned 21, I started as a union part-time budtender. A year later, I'm now part of Verilife's leadership team in Ottawa, IL, and I helped when the company moved store locations.

Chris Violas

CEO

BLAZE®

Chris Violas

With a dedication for driving cannabis industry innovation through technology, CEO and Founder Chris Violas uses his on-the-ground experience in cannabis operations and Amazon business development to support the growth of cannabis retailers.

His background in business information systems and online security, coupled with his time as an owner of a dispensary and delivery service, gives him the perspective necessary to drive the expansion of BLAZE’s powerful platforms and services for vertically integrated operators and standalone businesses across the cannabis supply chain. He is also well-versed in advanced infrastructure and knows the importance of B2B relationship building within the industry.

Prior to launching BLAZE, Chris worked for Amazon Web Services as a Start-up Business Development Manager, where he partnered with new companies to establish their cloud-based operations and meet or exceed the security standards specific to their industries. Chris has a B.S. in Business Administration from California Polytechnic State University with a concentration in Information Technology. He lives in Orange County, California, where he spends time outside the office running, camping and backpacking with his family.

1:15 PM – 2:00 PM

Consumer Cannabis Marketing: Lessons from Dispensaries and Influencers

Sarah Zelman

VP of Marketing

Hatch Dispensary

Sarah Zelman

As the Marketing Director of Hatch Dispensaries, I have led innovative strategies to elevate brand awareness, customer engagement, and revenue growth in a highly competitive cannabis market. I specialize in leveraging data-driven campaigns and lifecycle marketing tools like Alpine IQ to create personalized customer journeys that drive loyalty and retention. My experience spans developing creative content, launching successful community initiatives, and optimizing omnichannel marketing efforts to enhance the customer experience. Passionate about empowering independent retailers, I thrive on finding creative solutions to navigate the challenges of the ever-evolving cannabis industry.

Keevin Cox

General Manager

Village Dispensary

Keevin Cox

Hi, my name is Keevin Cox, and I am currently overseeing the role of General Manager of the Village Dispensary in Bucktown. I have been in the Cannabis industry since 2017 – throughout my career I have held numerous prominent positions including Operations Manager, District Manager, & Labor Relations Manager. I’ve had instrumental roles in the successful launches of 15 dispensaries across Illinois, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey. I love this industry for multiple reasons, some are due to how quickly it forces you to move and create ways for success. Throughout my time in cannabis I’ve learned that there is never a moment that you can’t learn and grow from.

Elanta Slowek

Creative Director

Blazebox Media

Elanta Slowek

Elanta Slowek is a creative strategist with 8 years of experience in digital strategy, content creation, and experiential marketing, including 4 years in cannabis. They’ve led innovative campaigns that increased brand visibility, engaged communities, and drove measurable results.
Passionate about destigmatizing cannabis and fostering equity, Elanta specializes in crafting strategies that amplify underrepresented voices and create lasting connections between brands and their audiences.

Patrick Vinson

Host / Founder

Couch Lock'd / Midwest Dazed

Patrick Vinson

I have worked in the Illinois cannabis industry for 5 years and a medical patient for 6, in that time I have advocated for easier access to cannabis while also helping people get their medical cards. On the frontlines working in medical dispensaries as a budtender and working as a brand ambassador for numerous brands, I strive to educate the public to have a better understanding of this plant.

2:00 PM – 2:45 PM

From Seed to Story: Leaders in Cannabis and Illinois Media

Ryan Hedrick

Chief Cannabis Officer

Legacy Cannabis

Ryan Hedrick

Ryan Hedrick began in the legal cannabis space in 2012 in Boulder, CO after moving from Philadelphia. After producing The Adam Dunn show for 3 years and working in all environments in the Colorado market, Ryan started his own licensed extraction company in Denver in 2015. Since then, Ryan has drafted over a half dozen successful cannabis applications in 4+ legal state markets. Ryan has designed, built, and operationalized cultivation, extraction, processing, and distribution facilities in Colorado, Washington, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Illinois, and Jamaica to name a few. Ryan specializes in brand partnerships that help the success of his clients and licensees in a rather saturated market. In Illinois alone, Mr. Hedrick is responsible for bringing reputable brands such as Evol by rapper Future, Poetry of Plants, Sour Family Farms, and more, to the state of Illinois under his Legacy Illinois umbrella. Ryan created and has helped build Legacy Illinois to be the the second largest independent cannabis brand in IL by total sales, as well as the number 2 and number 3 independent brand in total gummy and pre-roll sales. Mr Hedrick’s dedication to the plant and the industry is relentless and he doesn’t plan on stopping the forward motion of the cannabis culture any time soon.

Elizabeth Rice

Regional Sales Director

KIVA Confections

Elizabeth Rice

Elizabeth Rice brings over 25 years of experience in Sales and Business Development within highly regulated industries. She spent two decades in the wine industry, where she led international expansion efforts, developing markets across countries and continents. In 2020, Elizabeth transitioned to the cannabis industry, quickly establishing herself as a key player. She has since worked with some of the industry's largest companies, spearheading multi-state strategies, managing large teams, and driving significant revenue growth. Elizabeth previously served as Sales Director of California for CuraLeaf, and for the past two and a half years, she has been the Regional Sales Director at Kiva Confections, overseeing sales teams across California, Arizona, Nevada, Illinois, Michigan, Ohio, and Missouri. She holds an Executive MBA from IE Business School and is the world’s first Certified Sommelier + Ganjier, combining a unique blend of business acumen with a deep passion for both product and industry.

Ambrose Jackson

Chairman & CEO

The 1937 Group

Ambrose Jackson

Ambrose Jackson is CEO of The 1937 Group, a vertically integrated cannabis company based in Chicago, IL. In addition to managing a craft grow, cannabis transporter, consumption lounge, and multiple dispensaries; Ambrose is the co-owner of KVL International, a marketing and development agency that owns brands such as Kush League, TerpKings, Higher Self and Outfitters. As a voice for the social equity movement, Ambrose has actively worked to create opportunities for increased participation and inclusion. This is further evidenced by The 1937 Foundation, a not-for-profit organization that provides mental health and wellness services for community members impacted by trauma.

Jason Brown

Founding Publisher

Illinois News Joint

Jason Brown

Jason Brown if Founding Publisher of Illinois News Joint. He has more than two decades of experience as a journalist and taught at the collegiate level for ten years.

Cae Jones

Influencer

JungleCae

Cae Jones

Coming Soon

2:45 PM – 3:30 PM

Think Global, Act Local: Adapting National Campaigns for Local Impact

Angela Cheng

Chief Marketing Officer

Sunderstorm / KANHA

Angela Cheng

Angela Cheng is the Global Chief Marketing Officer of Sunderstorm, leading the company’s flagship brand, KANHA. With over two decades of experience spanning cannabis, spirits, and fashion, Cheng is a respected authority in marketing within highly regulated industries. Since its founding in 2015, KANHA has grown from its California roots to expand into Illinois, Nevada, Massachusetts, and internationally to Thailand.

In 2024, Cheng was recognized by PR Net as one of MarComm’s Most Influential, marking a milestone for the cannabis industry. Her strategic vision and innovative approach have consistently driven campaigns that resonate with diverse audiences, earning accolades from High Times, which named her an AAPI leader in cannabis, and the Cannabis Clio Awards, where she has served as both a juror and recipient.

A frequent speaker at industry events such as the Benzinga Cannabis Capital Conference and MJ Biz Con, Cheng shares her expertise in branding, marketing, and growth strategies. Before her success in cannabis, she led impactful campaigns for global brands like Bacardi, Diageo, and LVMH, honing her skills in crafting narratives that inspire and drive business results.

Cheng is passionate about fostering creativity and growth, embodying KANHA’s mantra: Do what you love.

Jen Denis

Creative Director

Green Thumb Industries

Jen Denis

Coming Soon

Eli Korer

CEO

Dabstract

Eli Korer

Eli Korer is the CEO of Dabstract. He leads the company’s brand expansion, business development, and capital arms. Eli is an attorney by trade (practicing corporate, M&A and related business law), but has transitioned into the cannabis industry since starting with Dabstract in 2018.

Omar Delgado

VP of Retail

Ivy Hall

Omar Delgado

With over two decades of experience in retail leadership, Omar Delgado has been at the forefront of shaping cannabis retail since 2018. His journey began in traditional retail, where he spent 19 years at Skechers, ultimately serving as a District Sales Manager. In 2019, he transitioned into the cannabis industry, taking on leadership roles at MedMen and Verilife before joining Ivy Hall in 2022. 

At Ivy Hall, Omar first served as Director of Retail, leveraging his operational expertise to enhance store performance, customer experience, and team development. His commitment to fostering a strong company culture and prioritizing employee well-being led to his promotion to VP of Retail, where he continues to drive innovation and expansion.

SEASON TWO | AUGUST 2024

Lansing, Michigan

To wrap up Season 2, Flower Expo made its debut in Lansing, Michigan, launching a fresh round of Seshes in a new state. Our Michigan series featured industry leaders from top brands such as TerrAscend, CCELL, and Left Coast Holdings, along with cutting-edge tech innovators from Genetica and Evergreen Digital. Marketing experts from The TOKE Agency, Dispenza Dispensary Marketing, and other key players also joined the lineup, making it a diverse and dynamic series of discussions.

Innovating and Scaling:
The Future of Cannabis
Retail and Cultivation

NEW EPISODE

Elevating Cannabis
Business: Innovations in
Retail, Marketing, and Technology

Maximizing Cannabis
Business Potential: Loyalty, Staffing, and Innovation

Harnessing AI and Digital Marketing for Cannabis Industry Success

SEASON TWO | JUNE 2024

Greenfield, Massachusetts

Our industry event exceeded expectations, with Season 2 of our Greenfield Seshes as a standout highlight. The panels featured insights from cannabis veterans, tech innovators, and media icons representing organizations like Curaleaf, Gentlemen Smugglers, DAZED, GreenState (a Hearst company), and The Bluntness.

Evolving Trends
in the Cannabis Industry

OGs in the Industry:
From Gray Market to
Legal Business

Elevating Your Brand:
Shaping the Conversation

Challenges & Opportunities
for Social Equity Brands

SEASON ONE | JUNE 2023

Greenfield, Massachusetts

Set against the foothills of the Berkshire Mountains in western Massachusetts, the inaugural Flower Expo began as a concept event. Our top priority was to challenge industry norms and focus on authenticity around the plant. This is where Seshes was born—a panel series curated by industry-leading founders from brands like Coast Cannabis, Perpetual Brands, and PAX. These inspiring thought leaders became part of a pivotal moment in cannabis history, joining our rotation of speakers and sparking conversations that shaped the industry.

Scaling Up: Building a
Multi-State Cannabis Business

Surviving and Thriving in the
Massachusetts Cannabis
Retail Market

Big Hope Project:
Guiding Light Re-Entry Series