About CWCBExpo
About Us / Meet the Team
The Cannabis World Congress & Business Exposition (CWCBExpo) is the premier business-to-business trade show event for the legalized cannabis industry. It is the leading forum for dispensary owners, growers, suppliers, investors, medical professionals, government regulators, legal counsel and entrepreneurs looking to achieve business success and identify new areas of growth in this dynamic industry.
Exhibitors and sponsors bring cutting-edge solutions to owners and managers of businesses, and a wealth of opportunity and knowledge to those looking to enter the market with potential partners and investors.
CWCBExpo is proud that we have helped shape the cannabis industry from the early days when it emerged as a new economic layer across the business world through many phases of stigma, volatility and legalization. We are equally proud to have an experienced, brave, courageous and committed advisory committee team standing with us, helping to build the industry and marketplace for legalized cannabis.
CWCBExpo Management & Communications
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Christine Ianuzzi
CEO and Show Director, CWCBExpo
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Gretchen Gailey
Chief Strategist, CWCBExpo
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Annie Scully
Chief of Public Relations, CWCBExpo
Christine Ianuzzi
CEO and Show Director, CWCBExpo
Christine Ianuzzi
CEO and Show Director, CWCBExpo
Christine Ianuzzi brings an experienced skillset across several industries including technology, business operations, cannabis and hemp. As an executive she has been a trigger for change and a leader in disruptive and progressive businesses in many blue-chip companies since 1987 including ABC Television, ABC Radio Networks and HBO.
In 2015 Christine joined her family of serial entrepreneurs who have owned and operated hundreds of trade shows within various industries over many decades – many in emerging business sectors. Today, Christine is the CEO and Show Director for trade shows that focus on the cannabis and hemp industries: Cannabis World Congress & Business Expositions (CWCBExpos).
Affiliations/Recognitions
- 10 Most Interesting Females in Cannabis, Weed Reader (February 2018)
- Distinguished Alumna Award, Baruch College (2018)
- New York University-Polytechnic Board of Trustees (2012 – 2015)
- Dedicated Alumna Award NYU-Poly Alumni Association 2011
- Honored with the NYU-Poly i²e Recognition Award 2011 (Invention, Innovation and Entrepreneurship)
- President of the Alumni Association of Polytechnic Institute of NYU (2009-2011)
- Member of the Polytechnic Institute of NYU International Board of Directors, Polytechnic Alumni Association 2007
- “35 Most Admired Engineers in Radio,” Radio Ink April 2007 & Radio Ink April 2009
Gretchen Gailey
Chief Strategist, CWCBExpo
Gretchen Gailey
Chief Strategist, CWCBExpo
Gailey has worked in the cannabis industry for the past seven years in a communications and government affairs capacity advancing the industry through its data and the stories of those involved. She is currently the founder of Panoptic Strategies, a Public Relations and Strategic Communications firm that specializes in the cannabis industry. Prior to Panoptic, she worked as a Vice President for KCSA Strategic Communications where she spearheaded the KCSA Congressional Cannabis Day Forum, the first cannabis event ever to be held under the dome of the U.S. Capitol. Gailey also served as the Executive Vice President of Communications & Government Affairs for New Frontier Data where she developed and implemented an integrated strategic communications plan that made NFD one of the most recognized companies in the cannabis space
Before joining the cannabis movement, she served as the Communications Director for Congressman Bill Shuster (R-PA), the Chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. She began her career as a journalist for NBC News and Fox News Channel in Washington D.C. and honed her communications skills covering politics and breaking news. She has interviewed heads of state, covered natural disasters, political campaigns, terrorist trials and told the stories of countless Americans across the country. Her vast experience across all sectors has made her an invaluable asset to building relationships and giving a voice to the cannabis sector.
Annie Scully
Chief of Public Relations, CWCBExpo
Annie Scully
Chief of Public Relations, CWCBExpo
Annie Scully specializes in B2B public relations and marketing for trade shows, conferences, associations, and small to mid-size companies. Her skill set is based on developing engaging marketing communications campaigns that have increased brand awareness, sales and customer satisfaction. Industries served include cannabis, beauty, personal care, chemicals, healthcare, technology, wellness, and emerging markets. She is a Board Member for the non-profit A Partnership for Change (APFC), dedicated to ending family abuse and intimate partner violence, and the New Jersey Packaging Executives Club (NJPEC).
CWCBExpo Advisory Committee Members
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Arnaud Dumas de Rauly
Co-founder, CEO, The Blinc Group -
Calvin Frye
Cannabis Pioneer, Entrepreneur -
David O’Brien
Founder, Massachusetts Cannabis Business Association -
Faye Coleman
Co-founder and CEO, Pure Genesis -
Keiko Beatie
Founder, Green Wave Relations -
Kelley Crosson
Cannabis Advocate and Strategic Advisor -
Ken Weinberg, MD
CEO, Cannabis Doctors of New York -
Kymberly “KymB” Byrnes
CMO, TribeTokes -
Leo Bridgewater
Co-founder, Collective 60 New Jersey; Co-founder, Heart Community Capital -
Sumit Mehta
CEO, MAZAKALI -
Tracey Mason
Co-Founder, House of Saka, Inc. SVP/General Manager, The NexDrinx Initiative
Arnaud Dumas de Rauly
Co-founder, CEO, The Blinc Group
Arnaud Dumas de Rauly
Co-founder, CEO, The Blinc Group
The Blinc Group is a company that is transforming the cannabis vaping industry with its focus on safety, innovation, and quality. An engineer by trade, Arnaud prioritizes scientific precision to ensure that Blinc products are the best and safest on the market. His leadership is characterized by his entrepreneurial spirit and a passion for the cannabis market, product safety, and the societal impacts of his industry.
Prior to the establishment of The Blinc Group, Arnaud was the president and co-founder of Fat Smoke, a notable leader in the French electronic cigarette market. He also formerly served as the president of FIVAPE, the French vaping trade federation, and currently serves as the organization’s Secretary-General for International Relations.
As a leading expert in the science, technology, and supply chain of cannabis vaping merchandise, Arnaud’s assistance and expertise in the vaping sector have been requested by multiple regulatory bodies across North America, Europe, and Asia. He currently works pro bono as Chairman of the ISO, International Organization of Standardization, TC126/SC3 on Vaping Products, and of the CEN Standards Committee TC437 on Vapor Products. He is also a member of the Marijuana Science and Policy Work Group operated by the Colorado Department of Revenue’s MED and CDPHE.
Bilingual in French and English (dual citizenship), fluent in Spanish, Arnaud has worked in France, China, UAE, Tunisia, Spain, UK, and the USA. He frequently serves as a keynote speaker at international vaping and cannabis conferences across the globe.
He received an Executive MBA from ESSEC Business School and a Masters of Engineering Degree from ECAM-EPMI.
Arnaud is also is also the former President of FIVAPE, a French vaping trade association and now serves as the organization’s Secretary General for International Relations.
Calvin Frye
Cannabis Pioneer, Entrepreneur
Calvin Frye
Cannabis Pioneer, Entrepreneur
Scientist, pioneering cannabis activist, entrepreneur and micro-business license holder, part-owner of one of the highly sought after West Hollywood edible consumption lounge licenses and equity stakeholder in licenses in Oklahoma and Illinois, Calvin Frye has over 16 years of experience cannabis industry. He currently is on the advisory board for the Cannabis World Cannabis Business Exposition, Chairman of the Social Equity Standing Committee for the National Hemp Association and holds board of directors seats at several other corporations. Frye has held several key positions in the Biotech industry for major companies like Xoma, Amgen and Baxter Biosciences, advancing his career from Research Associate to Associate Scientist. He has invaluable experience working alongside some of the founders of the MMJ industry (Dennis Peron) as well as many of the industry pioneering groups in Los Angeles (Americans For Safe Access and NORML).
Frye has one of the oldest licenses in Los Angeles and is one of the first dispensary owners in the entire country. He has been pivotal in the progression of the cannabis movement throughout the United States. He has appeared in numerous documentaries and television shows and has been featured in many magazines as one of the premier voices in cannabis. Nationally, Frye has been the keynote speaker at many conferences including the World Congress Cannabis Expo, Blunt Talks and others. Currently, he is participating in the sponsored mentorship program that oversees and teaches social equity program owners how to operate and run a successful dispensary for the City of Los Angeles. He has also branded his line of cannabis genetics and trademarked the name “Cloneville” which he has attached to his genetics. He owns Frye Consulting and Management Group, a full-service firm that provides consulting services from startup to full-scale production, including regulatory expertise.
Frye earned his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Iowa (Big Ten Conference) in Science Education. He also attended graduate college with an emphasis in General Science.
David O’Brien
Founder, Massachusetts Cannabis Business Association
David O’Brien
Founder, Massachusetts Cannabis Business Association
David O’Brien is the President and CEO of Massachusetts Cannabis Business Association with a mission to convene, voice, and advocate for the Commonwealth’s cannabis business community and ancillary services. David has spent his career providing public engagement, government relations and strategic communications counsel to the private, public and non-profit sectors at the state, national and international level. A pioneer in the Massachusetts Cannabis industry, David previously served as the director of East Coast government relations for Weedmaps where he led strategy for cannabis legalization, regulation and taxation. He also developed and provided municipal officials with data-driven research to inform effective adult-use cannabis zoning laws.
In the course of a political and communications career that has spanned thirty years, David has served as President of NorthBridge Strategies, worked on eight US presidential campaigns – four as a staff member, and served as a Clinton Administration presidential appointee at the Corporation for National Service and US Small Business Administration. David also held senior positions on Governor Deval Patrick’s political action, inauguration, and campaign finance committees.David holds a Master of Public Administration from Harvard Kennedy School and a BA from Merrimack College. He is an elected member of the Democratic National Committee and the Massachusetts Democratic State Committee.
Faye Coleman
Co-founder and CEO, Pure Genesis
Faye Coleman
Co-founder and CEO, Pure Genesis
Faye Coleman is a General Management and Operations Executive with more than 25 years of experience at leading multi-site and multi-national operations. Before launching Pure Genesis (PG) LLC, Coleman began her agile career successfully serving in diverse leadership positions with Kraft General Foods and Campbell’s Soup. Next, she successfully transitioned into retail with the Home Depot, Target and CVS where she led significant market teams to drive business excellence in sales, supply chain optimization, customer service and pharmacy operations. Today Colelman is a multi-state operator, educator, and consultant within the cannabis industry, with a line of CBD products and community first business initiatives that PG is excited to move forward.
A native of Pittsburgh, PA, Colelman was the first black female graduate from the school of Industrial Engineering from West Virginia University. She earned her Master’s in Business Administration from Saint Joseph’s University and Executive Education certifications in supply chain management and product development from The Harvard Business School. Coleman has served as a Board of Trustee for Lourdes Medical System and as an Advisory Board member for Saint Joseph’s University Executive MBA program.
Coleman’s service continues as a board member for the African American Chamber of Commerce for New Jersey, the NJ Cannabusiness Association, and the National Hemp Association’s Standing Committee for Social Equity. She is also a leader within the CHEM (Cannabis Health Equity Movement) Coalition and served as a member of the NJ Governor’s council for adult use legalization. To connect and mentor within her community Coleman is a supporter of: The NAACP, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated, Women Grow, and Minorities for Medical Marijuana. Today, she resides in Cherry Hill, NJ with her two wonderful children, both attending college.
Keiko Beatie
Founder, Green Wave Relations
Keiko Beatie
Founder, Green Wave Relations
Keiko Beatie has been a practitioner of Ayurveda, Chinese and Holistic Medicine since the 1970s. Her specialty in Bach Flower and Homeopathic has continued with whole plant cannabis medicine and focusing on education to the community for better patient care and health and well-being. She is the Director of Education for Coral Cove Wellness Resort has she has part ownership. This is an all-inclusive cannabis and psychedelic educational resort with cultivation on the oceanfront of the crystal blue waters of Jamaica.
She is a Board Member for many various organizations starting with OC NORML, The Cannabis Chamber of Commerce, Advisory Board Member for Cannabis World Congress & Business Expo, Head Judge of Edibles for The Emerald Cup, Regional Lead for the California Cannabis Tourism Association and she is the Host of A Seasoned Perspective for Wrazel Cannabis Broadcasting Network. Keiko has started various companies in the industry from delivery services, cultivation and dispensaries, all to support patient care with natural plant-based medicine.
In the past Keiko passion on holistic natural plant-based medicines took her to study at Twin Lakes Holistic College, Alive Polarity Institute, CIIS Calif. Institute of Intralegal Studies, Esalen Institute, UCLA and LA College of Massage and Physical Therapy. She worked in the music, film, and surf industry prior to dedicating her path to education and patient care with natural and fungi medicines. She has assisted in starting Women Grow OC, and has written for Weedmaps, Marijunia.com, Sensi Magazine, and currently contributing to The Retreat Journal. Keiko’s mission statement is “Acceptance and legalization of Cannabis and Psychedelic medicines through education and outreach for patient care.”
Kelley Crosson
Cannabis Advocate and Strategic Advisor
Kelley Crosson
Cannabis Advocate and Strategic Advisor
Kelley Crosson is a horticulturist, designer, and cannabis advocate who has worked in the field of horticulture since 1992, when she served as a Children’s Garden program intern for Strybing Arboretum Society in San Francisco, CA. Alongside a dedicated group of volunteers, she taught basic organic gardening principles and practices to children ranging in age from 7-14 and assisted Strybing’s Education Director with the development of new garden and craft programs.
From 1992-2008, she worked as a freelance designer for a multitude of luxury event, home, floral, and garden design companies in San Francisco, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, St. John (USVI) and New York City. In 2009, she formally incorporated as KC, Inc., which is her horticulture and design consulting company. That same year, Kelley joined the Marijuana Policy Project (MPP) where she worked with major donors from 2009-2018. From 2011-2013, Kelley completed the SOPH program at the New York Botanical Garden, where she received her Diploma in Horticulture. While a student at the NYBG, Kelley interned with the US Fish and Wildlife Service in New Jersey to study Helonias bullata, a plant federally listed as a threatened species. She was an instrumental part of the installation team for the 3.5-acre, $15 million Native Plant Garden at the NYBG, which included Helonias bullata and other plants native to the region. The main emphasis of her horticulture studies and current practice is low-impact, sustainable design and the use of native plants.
She currently serves as an Advisory Committee Member for CWCBExpo. She is also an Advisor to several US cannabis companies.
Ken Weinberg, MD
CEO, Cannabis Doctors of New York
Ken Weinberg, MD
CEO,<br> Cannabis Doctors of New York
Kenneth R. Weinberg, MD was one of the earliest adopters among practitioners when the Compassionate Care Act went into effect in 2016. He is the Founder and CEO of Cannabis Doctors of NewYork and has seen, treated and certified hundreds of patients since. He is an emerging thought leader who has spoken around the state at numerous events and conferences including last years Cannabis World Expo in NYC. He has been featured on television, radio and print – is soon to publish a book about doctor/patient relationships based on his over 35 years of experience on the front lines of medicine.
Kymberly “KymB” Byrnes
CMO, TribeTokes
Kymberly “KymB” Byrnes
CMO, TribeTokes
At TribeTokes, Kim Byrnes drives all the brand’s social and marketing strategy. She blends traditional marketing efforts, modern colloquialisms, and digital social culture to subliminally target customers and break into new markets in ways that many cannabis brands have yet to tap. Today Kym works with some of the most forward-thinking minds in the New York City cannabis scene: Kym sits on the Advisory Committee for the Cannabis World Congress & Business Expo, a business-to-business trade show event for the legalized cannabis industry. She volunteers and is on the committee for the NYC Cannabis Parade and Rally, one of the longest running cannabis events in the world. Kym is the NYC Ambassador for Women Grow, and frequently serves as a High Times Cannabis Cup Judge.
As a Certified Pilates Instructor and Lululemon Legacy Ambassador, Kym merges her passion for health and cannabis through her “Plant-Based Pilates” CBD fitness platform. On the patient advocacy side, Kym works with Nugg MD to help New Yorkers get their medical marijuana cards. Kym is passionate about the future of cannabis and the potential impact of cannabis for women, health applications and the growth of the industry. When she’s not educating the world on cannabis, you can find Kym working out, exploring and traveling and of course consuming some of the best cannabis and CBD in the world.
Leo Bridgewater
Co-founder, Collective 60 New Jersey; Co-founder, Heart Community Capital
Leo Bridgewater
Co-founder, Collective 60 New Jersey
Co-founder, Heart Community Capital
In 2001, Leo Bridgewater enlisted into the United States Army in response to the September 11 attacks. There, he spent 5 years as a Telecommunications specialist with multiple deployments to Iraq. After separating from the Army in 2006, he spent another 2 ½ years working for the Dept. of the Army at the Pentagon in Washington DC. Having had 3 battle buddies attempt suicide and 2 being successful, Leo’s advocacy for veterans’ rights has seen him testify in NJ Senate Committee to have Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) added to the NJ Medical Marijuana Program (NJMMP). As a result of his efforts, in September of 2016, NJ Gov. Chris Christie signed bill S-2345 adding PTSD to the NJMMP.
Sumit Mehta
CEO, MAZAKALI
Sumit Mehta
CEO, MAZAKALI
Sumit is a cannabis strategist, an internationally recognized speaker and the author of the MAZAKALI GreenPaper®, an authoritative voice on deep industry trends in its sixth year of publication with over 80,000 subscribers. In addition to his role at MAZAKALI, Sumit serves on several cannabis company boards and is the Chair Emeritus of the Banking and Financial Services committee for the National Cannabis Industry Association.
Sumit is the former Director of Finance for the Arcview Group, and prior to entering the cannabis industry full-time in 2016 spent 20 years on Wall Street at Merrill Lynch, Raymond James, UBS and JP Morgan in roles that spanned portfolio management, investment planning, capital introduction, strategic consulting, institutional relationship management and corporate business development.
Sumit has earned an MBA from the Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan, and a BA with Honors in Economics with minors in Math and Physics from the University of Texas at Austin. Sumit holds investment banking, brokerage, M&A and investment advisory securities licenses and enjoys motorcycles, yoga, cannabis and the great outdoors.
Sumit’s short description of MAZAKALI:”We help investors place capital, and we help companies raise capital, only in Cannabis.”
Tracey Mason
Co-Founder, House of Saka, Inc. SVP/General Manager, The NexDrinx Initiative
Tracey Mason
Co-Founder, House of Saka, Inc.
SVP/General Manager, The NexDrinx Initiative
A seasoned sales and marketing executive, Tracey Mason has successfully created, marketed and sold innovative products in the CPG and adult beverage sectors for over 25 years.
Her prior experience includes serving as Chief Strategy and Innovation Officer at CannaCraft, Chief Marketing and Business Development Officer at Terravant Wine Company, SVP of Marketing and Innovation at Purple Wine and Spirits, EVP of Global Marketing at Goelet Wine Estates/Clos du Val Winery, VP of Global Innovation at Treasury Wine Estates, Director of Commercial Innovation at Diageo and VP of Sales and Marketing at Epic Wines.
An ardent entrepreneur, Mason is also the Co-Founder of House of Saka, Inc. – creators and manufacturers of the world’s first and only alcohol-removed, cannabis-infused wines from Napa Valley. Saka’s award-winning portfolio of infused wines are currently available in dispensaries throughout California with plans to expand to 3 additional states in 2022. In March of 2022, Mason was also tapped to lead The Next Drinks Initiative, the innovation arm of Vintage Wine Estates, one of the fastest growing wine companies in North America. There, in addition to leading the innovation function of VWE, she will oversee the launch of House of Saka’s portfolio of non-infused, super premium wines and functional beverages into the general market, driving brand value across multiple beverage verticals.
She has a BA in Politics from St. Joseph’s University in Philadelphia with further graduate study at Albertus Magnus College in New Haven, a love of all things food and wine and an unparalleled passion for innovation in the beverage space.