Marijuana Business Magazine

66 • Marijuana Business Magazine • November / December 2017 REGISTER NOW AT MJBIZCON.COM Special MJBizCon Preview Chris served as the founding editor of Marijuana Business Daily during the company’s launch in 2011, becoming the first journalist in the United States to focus exclusively on covering the business of cannabis. He now leads the company’s entire editorial and research team and oversees content-related strategic development initiatives. Chris has been quoted as one of America’s foremost cannabis industry analysts by dozens of media outlets, including Harvard Business Review, NPR, CNBC and the New York Times. He previously worked for more than a decade as a business reporter and editor at daily newspapers. Wednesday, November 15 | 9:00am Industry Insights: Data, Trends & Forecast George has 30 years of retail, international strategy and real estate experience at major international companies. He served as the senior executive of real estate at Apple, where he formulated and executed one of the most triumphant retail growth strategies in history and is widely recognized as the architect of Apple’s brand-building retail method. He also served in executive roles at Tesla Motors, where he redefined the car-buying experience and revolutionized the auto industry. Previously at Gap, George managed the growth of over 250 stores per year while establishing an energy-efficient, environmentally forward-thinking retail growth practice. Wednesday, November 15 | 9:45am Big Thinking: Innovation & Success Strategies from Amazon, Apple and Tesla GEORGE BLANKENSHIP Former Executive Tesla Motors, Apple Computer & Gap CHRIS WALSH Vice President, Editorial & Strategic Development Marijuana Business Daily Jeanne is considered a pioneer in the New York angel investment community and has been funding companies for nearly 30 years, including during the dot-com boom and bust. In 1998, she co- founded StarVest, a tech-focused venture capital firm with $400 million under management. She brought her expertise to the cannabis world in 2014 by starting Sullivan Adventures, an advisory and investing vehicle for both tech and marijuana companies. Prior to forming StarVest, Jeanne was managing director at Olivetti Ventures, where she invested in numerous growth-stage tech companies in Silicon Valley and Boston. Wednesday, November 15 | 10:45am Opportunity & Irrational Exuberance: What the Cannabis Industry Can Learn From the Dot-Com Boom and Bust Ken has covered the presidency, presidential campaigns and national politics as a reporter for U.S. News & World Report since 1986, making him one of the longest-serving White House correspondents in history. He served as president of the White House Correspondents’ Association from 1994 to 1995 and has won two of the most prestigious awards for White House reporting while covering six presidents dating back to Ronald Reagan. He’s also written eight books about presidents and the presidency. He currently writes a weekly column and authors a daily blog at U.S. News. Wednesday, November 15 | 11:15am From Nixon to Trump: Marijuana and the Presidency JEANNE SULLIVAN Co-founder, Chief Inspiration Officer StarVest Partners, Sullivan Adventures KENNETH T. WALSH Chief White House Correspondent U.S. News & World Report KEYNOTE SPEAKERS