Attend Root & Rise
Root & Rise Symposium brings together the people shaping what comes next in emerging cannabis markets. Designed differently from a traditional conference, the symposium blends conversation, hospitality and immersive programming into one connected gathering across Salem and Roanoke College.
As Virginia prepares for adult-use sales in 2027 and hemp businesses across the Southeast navigate significant regulatory uncertainty, Root & Rise provides a place to learn, connect and exchange ideas with the people leading those conversations.
What to Expect
Less Rush. More Connection.
Every symposium pass – including sponsors and exhibitors – includes meals, beverages and evening hospitality experiences, a rarity for industry events. With more built into one package, attendees can stay present, build stronger relationships and spend less time worrying about logistics and added expenses.
Root & Rise features TWO CONTENT TRACKS designed to encourage crossover between business, research, policy and education throughout the symposium.
Industry & Policy
TRACK
Conversations focused on emerging markets, adult-use implementation, hemp laws, regulation, business growth and industry trends.
Research & Education
TRACK
Programming exploring cannabinoid science, wellness, workforce development, academic collaboration and public understanding.
Welcome Block Party
Thursday evening kicks off in downtown Salem with live music, barbecue, beverages, lawn games and the outdoor Block Party Market featuring hemp sampling and community gathering.
Thursday, July 23 | 6:00 - 10:00 p.m.
Welcome Address by City of Salem Mayor Renée Turk
Hosted by Penny Lane
A Different Conference Rhythm
Root & Rise Symposium is designed to create a more connected and immersive experience from start to finish. Shared meals, evening gatherings, workshops and hospitality are woven throughout the symposium to encourage meaningful conversation well beyond the panel rooms.
Thursday | Welcome Block Party
Downtown Salem sets the tone with live music, barbecue, beverages, lawn games and the outdoor Block Party Market featuring hemp sampling and community gathering.
Friday | Symposium & Exhibits
A full day of keynote sessions, panels, networking and immersive experiences inside Roanoke College’s Cregger Center, followed by the evening awards reception and formal dinner.
Saturday | Closing Sessions
Final conversations, networking and sendoff programming designed to continue relationships and ideas beyond the symposium.
Pre-Event Workshops
Extend your Root & Rise experience with optional offsite workshops and immersive activities designed to blend wellness, education and connection throughout the Roanoke Valley.
Thursday, July 23 | 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. (times vary)
Transportation provided from Roanoke College. Additional fees may apply.
Choose from a variety of experiences designed to help you explore, connect and make the most of your time in the Roanoke Valley.
Hanging Rock
Golf Outing
$95
Connect with attendees in a relaxed and highly social setting in the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Terpenes in the Wild
Hike & Learn
$45
Explore native plants and terpenes through a guided outdoor experience.
R&R in the Field
Facility Tour
$75
Behind-the-scenes tours highlighting cultivation and product manufacturing.
Cooking With
Cannabis
$75
Connect with attendees in a relaxed and highly social setting in the Blue Ridge Mountains.
A Higher Zen
Yoga Workshop
$35
Rest and recover when you arrive in this yoga and breath work intensive session
Sponsor a Workshop
or Experience
$5,000
Sponsorship opportunities are available at networking and experiential activations.
Arrive early and experience more. Limited space available.
Awards Dinner & Reception
As the sun sets over Virginia’s Blue Ridge, Root & Rise gathers for an evening celebrating the people helping shape the future of emerging cannabis markets.
Friday, July 24 | 7:00 - 10:00 p.m.
Includes a formal dinner, adult beverages and the Root & Rise Awards Reception honoring leaders across research, business, policy, education and community impact.
What to Expect
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Formal seated dinner reception
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Full adult beverage service
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Root & Rise Trailblazer Awards presentation
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Recognition of leaders across research, policy, business, education and community impact
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Networking with symposium speakers, sponsors and attendees
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Mountain views and evening hospitality at Roanoke College
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Live music and post-awards social atmosphere
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Elevated but approachable attire encouraged
Featured Award Categories
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Research & Education Leadership
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Emerging Market Innovation
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Policy & Public Service
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Community Impact
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Industry Leadership
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Wellness & Patient Advocacy
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Entrepreneurship & Business Growth
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Next Generation Leadership
Limited seating available. Included with Full Symposium Passes.
Traveling With a Companion?
Root & Rise offers Companion Passes for spouses, partners, friends and guests traveling alongside registered attendees.
Companion Pass Includes
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Welcome Block Party access
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Awards Dinner & Reception access
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Access to optional add-on activities and workshops
Designed for guests who want to enjoy the atmosphere and hospitality of Root & Rise without attending full symposium programming.
Registration & Pricing
Root & Rise offers several registration options designed for industry professionals, researchers, students, public sector leaders and businesses. Most passes include symposium programming, meals, coffee service, evening hospitality experiences and networking events from Thursday evening through Saturday sendoff programming.
Industry Pass
Full access to the complete R&R Symposium experience for business professionals shaping the future of emerging markets.
$750
Academic Pass
Full R&R Symposium access for students, faculty, researchers and educators advancing cannabis science & education.
$450
Public Sector Pass
Created for policymakers, regulators, nonprofit leaders and government employees engaged in emerging markets.
$375
Single-Day Pass
Friday daytime access to symposium programming for attendees unable to attend the full Root & Rise experience.
$425
Partner Add-On
Discounted full symposium access for sponsors and exhibitors bringing additional team members to Root & Rise.
$475
Travel Companion
Designed for spouses, partners and guests joining the Root & Rise experience outside full symposium programming.
$225
Questions about registration? Planning to attend with a larger group?
Contact Kelly at kelly@rootandriseevents.com for assistance.
FEATURED SPEAKERS
Jamie Patten
Acting Head & Chief Administrative Officer, Virginia Cannabis Control Authority
Allyn Howlett, Ph.D.
Professor of Physiology and Pharmacology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine
Nyomi Barrick-Wommack
State Regulator and
University Professor
Tony Gallo
Founder & Managing Partner, Sapphire Risk Advisory Group & Sapphire Blue Sky Ventures
Hemant Kumar Bid, Ph.D.
Program Director, Medical Cannabis Therapeutics program at Morehouse School of Medicine
Luca Boldrini
Cannabis Cultivation Consultant; Author, Greater Than 100 Grams per Square Foot
LaTonya Warren
Founder & CEO, Armintia; Laboratory Director, Green Alliance Labs
Andrew DeAngelo
Strategic Advisor, Andrew DeAngelo Advisors; Co-Founder, Last Prisoner Project
Michael Krawitz
Executive Director, Veterans For Medical Cannabis Access; Appointee, Virginia Cannabis Public Health Advisory Council
Justin Esquivel
CEO and Geneticist of Green Luster Phenos™
Rob Mejia
Adjunct Professor, Stockton University; President, Our Community Harvest
Tamara Netzel
Secretary, Virginia NORML; Founder, Cruel Consequences
Russ Hudson
Cannabis Phytochemistry Researcher & Author, The Big Book of Terps
DorothyBelle (DB) Poli, Ph.D.
Director of Cannabis Studies and Professor of Biology, Roanoke College
Shelby Poole
Founder, Betty Bloom; Former Marketing Director, Happy Days Cannabis Dispensary
Chris O'Ferrell
Senior Director of Cultivation, Deep Roots Harvest; Founder, Co-Lab Cannabis Consulting
Russ Hudson
Co-Owner
HomeGrown Va
Munir Haque
President
Cure8
Brett Puffenbarger
Managing Partner, Good Highdeas; CEO, Old Dominion Cannabis
Lucas McCann, Ph.D.
Co-Founder & Chief Scientific Officer, CannDelta
Stella Morrison
Founder & CEO
CannaContent
Lonnie Hayes III
Virginia State Director, Minorities for Medical Marijuana (M4MM); Founder, SAFE™
Ellie Siegel
Founder & CEO
Longview Strategic, LLC; Founder; Accelerate Cannabis
Rob Pero
Founder & CEO, Indigenous Cannabis Industry Association; Founder & CEO, Canndigenous
Thomas Malone
General Counsel
Pure Shenandoah
Laura Leonard
Employee Wellness Coordinator Roanoke College; Owner, Uttara Yoga Studio
Mikhail Sagal
Co-Founder & CEO
TSRgrow
Mary Lynn Mathre
President & Co-Founder
Patients Out of Time
Renée Turk
Mayor
City of Salem
JM Pedini
Cannabis Policy Advocate & National Development Director, NORML
Harrison Jordan,
Co-Founder & CEO
TSRgrow
Marc Tavares
Founder
Rooting VA
Our Partners
What to Pack
Root & Rise is designed to feel polished, welcoming and comfortable. Overall, just be yourself – while keeping in mind this is a professional environment.
Thursday | Welcome Block Party
Comfort comes first. It’s high summer in Virginia, so lightweight clothing, shorts and casualwear are absolutely welcome. Express yourself and settle into the atmosphere.
Friday | Symposium & Awards Reception
Daytime symposium programming leans business smart or professional, but comfort is still key. Expect movement between indoor and outdoor spaces, so layers are encouraged.
The evening awards reception and dinner is elevated, but not black tie. Think polished, stylish and event-ready without being overly formal.
Saturday | Closing Sessions
Travel-day comfort is encouraged while still keeping things presentable and professional. The morning may include wellness and yoga programming, so relaxed attire is perfectly appropriate.
Symposium Venue
Cregger Center at Roanoke College
287 High Street
Salem, VA 24153
Get in Touch
Kelly Riddle, Founder
Executive Producer
Eric Welch, Founder
Head of Partnerships & Sales
DB Poli, Strategic Partner
Professor of Biology and Cannabis Studies at Roanoke College