Become a Sponsor for The National Cannabis Risk Management Association’s Annual Conference
Why become a sponsor at NCRMA2020?
The National Cannabis Risk Management Association (NCRMA) is an inclusive organization dedicated to making its members better so that they may succeed in the cannabis industry. Established in 2017, the NCRMA is proud to be a bicoastal company with offices in Pittsburgh, PA and Las Vegas, NV.
NCRMA2020 is an inaugural conference featuring a wide variety of subject matter experts who will share tips for succeeding in the cannabis industry. This event will attract top industry players and provide multiple opportunities for exposure to our sponsors.
There are five sponsorship levels: Diamond, Platinum, Gold, Silver, and Individual. For more information, please download our packet below.
Interested in being a sponsor for NCRMA2020? Click below to download and fill out our Sponsorship Packet.
Conference Dates:
March 22nd, 2020
Registration and Welcome Reception: 6pm - 9pm
March 23rd, 2020
NCRMA2020 Day 1: 9am - 5:30pm
March 24th, 2020
NCRMA2020 Day 2: 9am - 1pm
Address:
Bally’s Hotel & Casino
3645 S Las Vegas Blvd,
Las Vegas, NV 89109
Meet Our NCRMA2020 Speakers
TOPIC: Media Relations in Cannabis: Cutting Through the Clutter
Chris Day is the Vice President of External Relations and handles global partnership development for MJBizDaily and the MJBizCon family of events. Prior to Marijuana Business Daily, his 20+ year career designing Fortune 100 advertising campaigns, experiential events, as well as Public Relations and Public Affairs programs within marketing agencies spanned a wide variety of complex high growth industries. Having started his career just before the dot.com boom of the mid to late 90’s, he now uses the experience that comes with decades of brand building, global strategic partnership development and surviving numerous boom and bust cycles to more effectively build a sustainable and responsible cannabis industry.
TOPIC: Stronger Together: Using Lessons for a Grass Roots Heritage to Catalyze Long Term Success
Starting out two decades ago as a small-scale cultivator in Humboldt County California, Cassandra Maffey has grown to become one of the world’s top commercial cultivators. Through her cannabis consulting firm, Force of Nature, Cassandra has helped clients worldwide in implementing sustainable Scalable Living Soil cultivation strategies and training award-winning teams. Cassandra now serves as CEO of Fire Tower, a cannabis-specific operations and communication software platform that unites cultivation teams and provides management with cutting-edge analytical tools. Maffey was recently named one of the Top 50 women in cannabis by High Times magazine.
TOPIC: The Cost of Non-Compliance and the Importance of Risk Assessment
Kirk Barry is a seasoned business professional who serves as CEO of Clarion Compliance, a compliance and auditing platform for cannabis businesses. He has completed over 7,500 insurance cases and testified as an expert in superior court 350 times. Since entering the cannabis space, Kirk’s business development ventures have focused on independent 3rd party compliance monitoring and oversight. Kirk’s compliance solution provides industry-specific tools and real-time monitoring for cannabusinesses. Clarion Compliance offers validation through its third-party, independent compliance programs. The progressive technology elevates compliance standards beyond seed-to-sale tracking with a three-pronged approach, including: website application, database system for back-end tracking, and onsite inspection services.
,TOPIC: Fireside Chat - Sources and Strategies for Capital to Fund Business Growth
Kimberly Kovacs, President of the Arcview Group, has over 20 years of executive leadership and experience across technology services and investment companies. As the founder and CEO of MyJane, Kim built a cannabis wellness technology platform which was acquired in January of 2019 by ManifestSeven. Prior to MyJane, Kim founded or co-founded six additional companies, raised more than $100M in equity capital and has been an active angel investor for more than ten years. Most recently, she served as President of the Los Angeles Venture Association where she launched the CannaLAVA strategic group designed to bring cannabis industry leaders together in Los Angeles.
TOPIC: Banking Solutions for Cannabis Businesses
Ralf Kaiser serves as the Chief Executive Officer of Integrated Compliance Solutions, and is recognized as an industry thought leader within the cannabis and banking sectors. He has been the cannabis banking keynote speaker for such events as the inaugural Marijuana Banking Summit, Michigan Bankers Association, Community Bankers Association of Ohio, the Payments First 19th Annual Solutions Conference, and the ePay Executive Summits in Dallas, Raleigh, and Miami. Ralf has been involved with ICS since 2016, officially joined the firm in 2018, and has been active in the capital raising, market development, and bank sales strategies for the firm. He brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the firm in investment, financial services, sales & marketing and operations.
TOPIC: The Effect of Cannabis Legalization on the Workplace: What Everyone in the Cannabis Industry Needs to Know
Albert Lee is a management-sided employment and labor law attorney who has been recognized in the 2020 edition of The Best Lawyers in America®. Albert’s clients are concentrated in the manufacturing, healthcare/seniorcare, technology, financial, educational and service sectors. Albert has deep and broad experience in virtually all areas of employment and labor law. He has defended clients in wage-and-hour/compensation lawsuits and federal employment discrimination trials, resolved government agency investigations, assisted with the design of benefit plans to comply with ERISA and the PPACA, negotiated union contracts, audited wage and hour pay practices/procedures, revised employment handbooks, conducted workplace harassment investigations, drafted and enforced non-competition and other employment agreements, given strategic advice on employment practices and philosophies, handled workers’ compensation and unemployment compensation hearings, and provided guidance on day-to-day matters such as FMLA situations, employee disciplines and discharges.
TOPIC: The Retail Challenge
Executive Director of the Nevada Dispensary Association Riana Durrett graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas in 2005 and received her Juris Doctorate degree from William S. Boyd School of Law in 2008. In her work with NDA, Durrett coordinates legislative and policy agendas for the cannabis industry and is responsible for researching and responding to various issues that impact the cannabis industry in Nevada. Durrett sits on the Board of the Nevada Taxpayer Association, serves as outside counsel to McLetchie Law, and serves as Ex Post Officio member to the Cannabis Law Section.
TOPIC: The Value of Disruptive Innovation in Cannabis Risk Management
Rocco Petrilli is Chairman of the National Cannabis Risk Management Association (NCRMA), a non-profit organization that provides innovative risk management and insurance solutions to businesses in the cannabis industry. A thirty-year business executive and veteran of the automotive components manufacturing industry, Mr. Petrilli has extensive experience in all aspects of global and multinational business planning and development. He also specializes in risking management talent optimization, achieving multiple team victories in more than a dozen business start ups by creating the proper organizational architecture and ensuring continuous improvement.
TOPIC: Being Better than the Best: Excellence in Cannabis Risk Management
Brenda Powell Wells has spent over 30 years studying and teaching risk management and insurance. She presently serves as the director of the East Carolina University (ECU) Risk Management and Insurance Program, where she is the Robert F. Bird Distinguished Professor of Risk Management and Insurance. During her career she has taught numerous risk and insurance courses. She has also supervised countless internships and independent study projects. Brenda has a long history of forming, supporting, and mentoring student organizations and has a wide range of experience in public relations and fundraising.
TOPIC: Answers to the Top Insurance Questions
Brian Nelson serves as Chief Underwriting Specialist for Garnet Solution, LLC. Mr. Nelson has over 20 years of insurance and risk management experience. He has served the roles of VP of Partner Development, Regional Underwriting Manager, and Branch Manager for several large international insurance carriers. Additionally, Brian executed the role of Risk/Insurance Manager for a national construction/roofing company and practiced law, with an emphasis on insurance related issues, at a Pittsburgh based firm. Brian also served as a broker and member of specialty internal resource team for a large national insurance brokerage.
TOPIC: Cannabis Isn’t Only Helping the Millennials…It’s Helping Seniors Too
Charles Brown is a Senior Executive with Senior Wellness Innovations based in San Diego, California. SWI is leading the way in the Senior Wellness market by creating the first person-centered Senior CBD, Cannabis, Nutraceutical wellness products and service brand. SWI has taken their 15 years of expertise providing aging services, education and advocacy to create the first holistic, individualized approach that will empower and educate Seniors to live their best and vital years. CEO and Founder MJ Pfeiffer’s connection to and advocacy for the 10,000 Seniors currently being served have inspired her to build SWI into a visionary Senior wellness brand whose sole purpose is to enrich the lives, longevity, and health of today’s modern Senior.
TOPIC: State of the Cannabis Legislative Union
Jason Horst is the principal of Horst Legal Counsel, a law firm serving the legal needs of clients in and around the cannabis industry. Jason served for more than a decade as a litigator and insurance coverage attorney in large regional and international law firms before founding Horst Legal Counsel. Jason is an advocate for cannabis policyholders and offers a range of risk management services to clients in and servicing the cannabis industry, including counseling related to insurance placement, risk transfer strategies, and preparing insurance specifications. Jason counsels clients regarding how to effectively transfer their business risks, allowing them to focus on running and growing their businesses sustainably.
TOPIC: Your Finances Won’t Take Care of Themselves
Jessica Velazquez is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) licensed in Illinois & Nevada and Managing Partner of Indiva Advisors LLP, a full-service accounting firm for cannabis and hemp businesses. Jessica assists business owners navigate through unique accounting, tax, and financial industry challenges. She guides c-suite executives achieve their goals by providing guidance on tax and general business matters. She brings with her a wide array of experience, working with closely held businesses as well as publicly traded multinationals, across a variety of industries such as gaming, retail, and manufacturing.
TOPIC: Cannabis Risk Management: A Road Map for Sustainable Operations and Favorable Underwriting
Joe Kopko is a published thought leader and regular speaker leading discussions on leveraging innovation and holistic risk management to establish sustainable companies. He has nearly 20 years of experience proactively managing safety, risk, and employee health. Joe works extensively with analytics partners to fine tune and integrate the correlations between employee health and workers compensation programs. These efforts have yielded better outcome management, reduced absence, and the ability to predict future sources of loss.
PANEL MODERATOR: In Response to the Needs of the NCRMA Member
David M. Kennedy, Esq. is the founder and CEO of Purple Risk Insurance Services, an independent agency providing top-tier insurance solutions and consulting services to clients in the cannabis and hemp industry. Based in New York City, Purple Risk primarily focuses on the New England and New York tri-state markets, as well as select target markets across the country. With 15+ years of experience as an insurance broker, executive, and insurance coverage attorney licensed in multiple states with adult use and medical marijuana programs, David is uniquely positioned to help businesses navigate the purchase of insurance in the rapidly changing, highly-regulated cannabis industry.
PANEL: In Response to the Needs of the NCRMA Member
Zach Stock is an experienced risk management professional with 15+ years of large commercial account management experience. Zach also brings the unique perspective of having built and sold a cannabis company in Colorado. Having worked directly on the design, construction and operation of cultivation and retail stores in Colorado for more than 7 years Zach provides cannabis companies with a depth of knowledge and perspective that is hard to match.
PANEL: In Response to the Needs of the NCRMA Member
Rena Trodick brings more than 15 years of experience to Branch Benefits Consultants with a background in Property and Casualty, Claims and Risk management in commercial and personal lines. Rena supports Branch Benefits Consultants’ goal of delivering creative insurance solutions with thoughtful strategic planning, valuable professional services, and technology-based solutions by focusing on identifying exposure and risk and providing clients with a creative solution to all their complicated insurance needs. Rena graduated from University of Phoenix with a Bachelors in Science of Business Management, and she also has an Associate Degree in Business Administration from the College of Southern Nevada. In addition to her Insurance License, she also holds a CISR Designation.
PANEL: In Response to the Needs of the NCRMA Member
Kevin Hughes has been at the helm of Black Insurance Group since 2016. His responsibilities include running the agencies operations as well as overseeing the risk management programs for several sister companies including a Medicinal Marijuana Grower Processor located in Erie, PA. He served in the U.S. Naval Reserve, including 2 years of active duty, from 1987 until 1997. Obtained his BA in Economics from Indiana University of Pennsylvania in 1992 and began his insurance career as a Property & Casualty commercial insurance producer that same year. He has extensive experience with Captive insurance programs, Technology businesses, Venture Capital firms, and Risk Management.
PANEL: In Response to the Needs of the NCRMA Member
Michael Peters is founder and CEO of Full Spectrum Insurance. Prior to starting Full Spectrum to help cannabis and hemp entrepreneurs thrive, Michael spent nearly a decade insuring medical professionals and earned the prestigious insurance designations of CPCU and RPLU. He is a nationally-licensed Property and Casualty insurance broker and, generally, just a cannabis insurance nerd. Michael is a loving father to two young sons, Max and Owen, and enjoys volunteering, playing music, and spending time with family and friends.
NCRMA2020 Event Schedule
DAY 1 - March 23
The Value of DISRUPTIVE Innovation in Cannabis Risk Management
Rocco Petrilli
Stronger Together: Embracing Our Grassroots Heritage to Galvanize Long-Term Success
Cassandra Maffey
BREAK: Answers to Top Insurance Questions
Brian Nelson
Being Better Than the Best:
Excellence in Cannabis Risk Management
Dr. Brenda Wells
Integration of Your People Strategy into Your Business Strategy
Tamala J. McBath
BREAK: Answers to Top Insurance Questions
Brian Nelson
Ralf Kaiser
Breakout Discussion: Cannabis Isn’t Only Helping the Millennials, It’s Helping Seniors Too
Charles A. Brown
BREAK: Answers to Top Insurance Questions
Brian Nelson
The Effect of Cannabis
Legalization on the
Workplace: What Everyone
in the Cannabis Industry
Needs to Know
Albert S. Lee
The Retail Challenge
Riana Durrett, Esq.
Your Finances Won’t Take Care of Themselves
Jessica Velazquez
Breakout Discussion: The Cost of Non-Compliance and the Importance of Risk Assessment
Kirk Barry
Breakout Discussion: Cannabis Risk Management: A Road Map for Sustainable Operations and Favorable Underwriting
Joe Kopko
Breakout Discussion: Optimizing Risk Management in the Absence of a Formal Regulatory Network
Joshua Grauso
DAY 2 - March 24
Welcome & Opening Comments: State of the Cannabis Legislative Union
Rocco Petrilli and Jason Horst
Panel: Broker Response to the Needs of the NCRMA Member
Moderator: David Kennedy
Speakers: Corey Tobin, Kevin Hughes, Michael Peters, Zach Stock, Rena Trodik
Answers to the Top Insurance Questions
Brian Nelson
Fireside Chat: Sources and Strategies for Capital to Fund Business Growth
Kim Kovacs
Cutting Through the Clutter
Chris Day
Closing Statements
Rocco Petrilli
"There is no more neutrality in the world. You either need to be part of the solution or you will be part of the problem." - Eldridge Cleaver
PITTSBURGH
100 Allegheny Dr.
Warrendale, PA 15086
[email protected]
LAS VEGAS
3960 Howard Hughes Pkwy
Suite 549
Las Vegas, NV 89169
702-990-3516
WASHINGTON DC