Southern Illinois Hemp Cannabis Symposium

Southern Illinois Hemp Cannabis Symposium | September 18, 2026

Gower Translational Research Center
1785 University Press Dr,
Carbondale, IL 62901

Directions

Conference Information

Event Flyer - Event Schedule

Doors open at 8:00 am and presentations begin at 8:30 am

PRESENTERS

Presenter line up subject to change

Ken Meyer

Ken Meyer Co-Founder of Complete Hemp Procession, LLC

F. Mitchell Westmoreland, Ph.D.

F. Mitchell Westmoreland Director of Science, Due Diligence Horticulture

Shelby Ellison

Shelby Ellison Associate Professor, Department of Plant and Agroecosystem Sciences at the University of Wisconsin Madison

Reggie Gaudino, PhD

Reginald Gaudino Director, Cannabis Research Institute

Jonna Eckenrod

Jonna Eckenrod Senior Drug and Health Policy Analyst

David Lakeman

David Lakeman Cannabis Division Manager, Illinois Department of Agriculture

Dr. Ismail Dweikat

Ismail Dweikat

Thomas Lavigne

Exhibitors and Sponsors

Find out more about our Sponsorship levels

Thank you to our amazing sponsors and exhibitors!

Southern Illinois University Cannabis Science Center logo Buttheadz logo Thrive Wellness Dispensary logo Consume Carbondale logo Illinois News Joint logo Urban Apothecary logo SOS Biotech logo Elevate logo Deep Roots High Purpose

Registration Information

Registration is now open

Limited Seats Available. Reserve Now!

Continental breakfast and lunch during the symposium, and a light evening meal at the reception all included!

Early bird rates available until August 14th!

Register
Register Online:
Participant Registration - Sponsor/Exhibitor Registration - Poster Presenter Registration

Register By Phone
Call us at 618/536-7751 to register over the phone when paying by VISA, Discover, or Mastercard.

Register by Mail or Fax:
Fax the completed participant registration form, sponsor/exhibitor registration form, or poster presenter registration form with credit card information to Conference and Scheduling Services at 618-453-5680
Poster Session Details
A poster session will augment the oral presentations and highlight the variety of research of faculty and students.

Poster Set Up and Registration:
* Poster presenters should bring posters no larger than 36"(horizontal) x 48"(vertical). Mounting clips will be provided.
* Posters must be set and ready by 8:30 am.
* Poster Presenters must be stationed by their poster during morning, afternoon, and lunch breaks, and prepared to discuss their research during these times.

The primary author/poster presenter may attend at no cost but still must register both online, over the phone, or by filling out the registration form and emailing it to attend. Co-author/presenters must register as a participant under the student fee. Registration deadline is September 15, 2025.
Sponsorship Details

Consider sponsoring the symposium!
Friend of the Conference Sponsor-$250

Vendor Booth

VIP Reception

Logo on website

Includes 1 Symposium registration (value $80-$120)

Bronze Sponsor-$500

Vendor Booth

VIP Reception

Logo on website

Logo in program as Bronze sponsor

Includes 2 Symposium registrations (value $160-$240)

Silver Sponsor-$1,000

Vendor Booth

VIP Reception

Logo on website

Logo in program as Silver sponsor

Includes 3 Symposium registrations (value $240-$360)

¼ Page ad in program

Gold Sponsor-$2500

Vendor Booth

VIP Reception

Logo on website

Logo in program as Gold sponsor

Includes 4 Symposium registrations (value $320-$480)

½ Page ad in program

Platinum Sponsor-$5,000

Vendor booth

VIP reception

Top logo on website

Top logo in program as Platinum sponsor

Includes 6 Symposium registrations (value $480-$720)

Full page ad in program

Opportunity to speak to attendees about business

Premium Vendor space at the entrance to the event
Cancellation Policy
All requests for refunds must be submitted in writing. The registration fee, minus a $20 cancellation fee, will be refunded if you cancel 2 weeks before the event. Any time after that date, refunds (minus $20 fee) will be issued on a case-by-case basis.

Stay and Play

RESTAURANTS - LODGING

Hemp, Hops, & Shrooms

Hemp, Hops & Shrooms is a FREE event in downtown Carbondale, IL! Join us on September 20, 2025, from 3 PM to 10 PM at the Entertainment and Events Plaza. This annual collaborative event offers educational presentations, local food, live music, a fermentation tent, and over 20 artists and vendors. Bring your own beverages and enjoy highlights on various research projects from the Southern Illinois University Cannabis Science Center and the SIUC Fermentation Science Institute. Connect and learn about cannabis, fermentation, and adaptogenic & psilocybin mushrooms! Fun for everyone, all ages are welcome!

Visit Carbondale Tourism for more information!

About The SIU Cannabis Science Center

The SIU Cannabis Science Center was established to form a collaborative network for cannabis research. Working groups across campus work together with a combined interest in cannabis. Groups include projects in the areas of agricultural, analytical, Biomedical, and Community. The resulting clearinghouse of related cannabis information is reviewed and helps define the future goals of the center.

SIU Cannabis Science Center