#FIFCONF2026
Flourish Investment Forum
Theme: Capital + Compliance + Credibility
2-Day Cannabis Finance & Investor Conference
The View at Minneapolis Event Centers - Entourage Events Group
Day 1 Build the Foundation
May 12 -Tuesday
8:00-9:00am: Breakfast (provided) & Networking
9:00-9:15am: Welcome Remarks-Calandra Revering Founder and CEO, Communities Unifying Through Justice & Inclusion (CUJI) & Breaking Barriers, Elaine Rasmussen, CEO, ConnectUP!
9:15-9:30am: Welcome Remarks - Rob Pero, Founder and CEO, Indigenous Cannabis Industry Association Inc
9:30-10:15am: Fireside chat w/ Sellano Simmons, Esq (CUJI) and Mitch Chargo (Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP)
10:15-10:30am: Break
10:30-11:15am: "Getting the Dollar (Day 1)" Ben Halley (Honest Cannabis) & John Barthel (Honest Cannabis)
11:20-12:00pm: “The Investor Checklist: What Cannabis Businesses Must Show to Get Funded” Speakers: Shelly Doll (Falcon National Bank), Kiera Wilson (VP Business Banker, Park State Bank), Colin Kelley (Senior Operating Partner, Merida Capital Holdings). Moderator: Jennifer Makris, MBA (Cannabis Cash Queen)
12:00-1:10pm: Lunch (provided)
Workshop Block 1 (Afternoon): The Riverside
1:15-2:00pm: “Two Industries, One Crisis: How the Hemp Ban Reshapes the Cannabis Legal Landscape” Speakers-Carol Moss (Hellmuth & Johnson), Jason Tarasek (Vicente LLP), Sumer Thomas Blackner (Signature Law Partners, Chicago and Denver). Moderator: Dr. Sara Brittany Somerset, UN-based Cannabis Correspondent & Global Drug Policy Analyst
2:05-2:45pm: “Social Equity & the Path Forward: Building a Cannabis Industry That Works for Everyone” Speakers-Jessica Jackson (MN Office of Cannabis Management), Kennis Littleton (Canna Gemz), Jim Boland (Signature Law Partners, Chicago, Illinois). Moderator: Elaine Rasmussen (ConnectUP!)
2:50-3:30pm: “Banned, Blocked & Building Anyway: Cannabis Marketing, Social Media & the Art of Standing Out” Speakers-Chris Hatcher (Honest Cannabis)
Workshop Block 2 (Afternoon): Grand 1858
1:15-2:00pm: “Locked, Loaded & Liable: Physical Security, Insider Threat & Insurance in the Cannabis Industry” Speakers: Dustin Brown (Wellington Security Systems), Cory Lake (Lake Group Insurance), Chad Olsen (Green Haven). Moderator: Roxxi Bohn (Bohn Financial Group/Intent Distribution)
2:05-2:45pm: "Cash, Clicks & Compliance: Navigating ATMs, POS Systems & the Future of Cannabis Payments” Speakers: Niki Mohrlant (Brinks), Shelly Doll (Falcon National Bank), Erica El Hilali (Bridgewater Bank). Moderator: Don Raleigh III (Evolve Payment)
2:50-3:30pm: “Sovereign Ground: Tribal Cannabis, Federal Law & the Unique Legal Landscape of Operating On and Off the Reservation” Lindsey Renner (CEO, NATIVE), Melanie Franks (Office of Cannabis Management), Mitch Cargo (Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP). Moderator: Rob Pero (Indigenous Cannabis Industry Association, Inc.)
3:30p-5:30p: Networking & Cocktail Hour (Minneapolis Event Centers)
Networking Dinner at The Glass House
Join us for an exclusive Networking Dinner at The Glass House on May 13, 2026, an evening designed to connect industry leaders, professionals, and community members in a relaxed and engaging setting.
The evening will begin with a Cocktail Hour from 4:30 PM – 6:00 PM, offering guests an opportunity to mingle and build meaningful connections. This will be followed by Dinner from 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM.
We are honored to feature Cedrick Frazier as the evening’s guest speaker, who will share insights and perspectives with attendees.
