TORONTO, Oct. 22, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Lift & Co. Corp. (the "Company" or “Lift & Co.”) (TSXV: LIFT) (OTCQB: LFCOF) today revealed a sneak peek at the shortlisted Canadian Cannabis Awards (CCAs) nominees in six key categories which represent the spirit and ingenuity of the first year of legalization in Canada: Entrepreneur of the Year, Womxn in Weed—Trailblazer, Top Budtender, Top Master Grower, Top Retail Store—Single Location, and Startup of the Year. Winners in a total of 32 categories will be announced at the CCAs black-tie gala on November 8, 2019 at the Fairmont Royal York hotel in downtown Toronto.
The CCAs are the country’s preeminent cannabis awards and represent excellence in the industry, while providing winners with an essential point of differentiation in the upcoming year. This year’s awards are particularly notable as they mark the first full year of legalization. With the CCAs taking place on November 8th, the Canadian cannabis industry establishes a firm position within a broader fall awards season.
“The industry marked the first full year of legal recreational sales on October 17, 2019 and we are all looking ahead to a significant second year in Canadian cannabis,” said Matei Olaru, CEO, Lift & Co. “To be shortlisted in these categories is a major accomplishment. Our congratulations go out to these leaders who have shaped the last year, and who are poised to set the standards for excellence in cannabis in Canada and around the globe.”
The 2019 CCAs cover a total of 32 judged and consumer choice categories:
Judged Categories: Nominees in categories for people, organizations, retail, cultivation, and accessories—including these announced six categories—were collected via nomination submission to CanadianCannabisAwards.com between August 23 and September 20, 2019. The shortlisted nominees are the top entries and the final winners are currently being deliberated by industry and subject matter expert judging panels.
Consumers’ Choice: The top cannabis products—dried flower, oil, capsules, sprays and pre-rolls—are determined by Canadian consumers. Votes are submitted via consumer cannabis reviews and uploaded receipts to Lift.co. and winners are determined by an algorithm that weighs the volume of submitted reviews and receipts against the overall product rating. With thousands of votes through reviews and receipts already submitted to-date, competition is fierce and consumers still have until October 25, 2019 to make their voice heard for the products they’ve tried and loved this year.
Lift.co is a trusted authority for cannabis product information and consumer reviews across the Canadian cannabis industry. CCAs entries via review and purchase receipts validate voters as consumers of the products they choose, ensuring objectivity and fairness in voting, while recognizing the consumer voice to elevate the brands that consumers are most passionate about.
Full category and voting information can be found here.
The 2019 CCAs shortlisted nominees in the people and retailer categories include:
Entrepreneur of the Year
This award recognizes the endeavours of exceptional people who create the products and services that keep our industry moving forward. The winner embodies the spirit of cannabis entrepreneurship: tenacity, creativity and leadership.
- Darren Bondar, Spiritleaf
- Angela Marks, B.C. Trimmers
- Pat McCutcheon & Keith Strachan, MediPharm Labs
- Drummond Munro, Superette
- Joshua Vera, Elevate
Womxn in Weed-Trailblazer
This award recognizes the high achievers, advocates and role models for womxn within the cannabis industry.
- Sony Gokhale, The Supreme Cannabis Company, Inc.
- Mimi Lam, Superette
- Angela Marks, B.C. Trimmers
- Rebecca Phillips, 7ACRES
- Trang Trinh, TREC Brands Inc.
- Jo Vos, Leafly
Top Budtender
This individual displays a high level of passion and knowledge about the products and industry, shows a commitment to customer service and consistently displays a positive attitude.
- Jessica Cadney, Hobo, Ottawa
- Liam English, Fire & Flower Ottawa
- Ellen McKay, Superette, Ottawa
- Mona Pinette, Spiritleaf, Calgary
- Jordan Prentice, NOVA Cannabis Off Whyte, Edmonton
Top Master Grower
The backbone of the industry, these individuals excel in all phases of the growing process, setting themselves apart by demonstrating superb management characteristics, commitment to quality product and a passion for the industry.
- Kevin Anderson, Broken Coast Cannabis Ltd.
- John Barnet, Aurora Cannabis
- Leo Benne, Zenabis Global Inc.
- Melanie Carruthers, 7ACRES
- Liam McKenzie, Experion Biotechnologies Inc.
Top Retail Store—Single Location
This retail location and its team delivers unparalleled excellence for its customers. From the look and feel of the store to the buying experience — everything about this location is top notch.
- Ameri—20 Cumberland, Toronto, Ontario
- Elevate—14454 -118 St. NW, Edmonton, Alberta
- Hobo Recreational Cannabis Store—4296 Main St., Vancouver, British Columbia
- Kiaro—1316 Kingsway, Vancouver, British Columbia
- NOVA Cannabis Off Whyte—8015-104 ST. NW, Edmonton, Alberta
- Superette—1306 Wellington St., Ottawa, Ontario
Startup of the Year
This company exemplifies the qualities that define promising startups: plucky, innovative and creative. Its top-notch team identifies and solves industry problems and contributes beneficially to the cannabis sector.
- ND Supplies Inc.
- OGEN Bloom Cultivation
- Quality Green Inc.
- Superette
- TREC Brands Inc.
For information about media passes and interview availabilities, including the gala red carpet, please contact Nikki Laoutaris, Communications Manager at nlaoutaris@lift.co.
Thank you to our CCA Gala Partners: Aurora, CanMar Recruitment, The Cronos Group, Flowr, MNP, ND Supplies, Organigram, Quality Green, and Valens
About Lift & Co.
Lift & Co. (TSXV: LIFT) (OTCQB: LFCOF) is a publicly traded technology company modernizing the cannabis industry.
Forward-looking statements
This news release and each of the documents referred to herein contains “forward-looking information” within the meaning of applicable Canadian and United States securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein are forward-looking information. Often, but not always, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of words such as “plans”, “is expected”, “expects”, “scheduled”, “intends”, “contemplates”, “anticipates”, “believes”, “proposes” or variations (including negative and grammatical variations) of such words and phrases, or state that certain actions, events or results “may”, “could”, “would”, “might” or “will” be taken, occur or be achieved. Such statements are based on the current expectations of management and are based on assumptions and subject to risks and uncertainties. Although management believes that the assumptions underlying these statements are reasonable, they may prove to be incorrect. The forward-looking events and circumstances discussed in this press release may not occur by certain specified dates or at all and could differ materially as a result of known and unknown risk factors and uncertainties affecting the Company.
Although Lift & Co. has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements, there can be other factors that cause results, performance or achievements not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended.
There can be no assurance that such forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate or that management's expectations or estimates of future developments, circumstances or results will materialize. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements in this news release are made as of the date of this release, and subject to change after such date. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise such information, except as required by applicable law, and the Company does not assume any liability for disclosure relating to any other company mentioned herein.
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as the term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
SOURCE Lift & Co. Corp.
For further information:
Lift & Co.
Sara McMillen, Director Communications and Government Relations, Lift & Co.
smcmillen@lift.co
1-416-220-9536
Nikki Laoutaris, Communications Manager, Lift & Co.
nlaoutaris@lift.co
1-647-464-0148
Investor Relations:
Thesis Capital
Prit Singh, 905-510-7636, psingh@thesiscapital.ca
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/65fca533-1153-4962-a696-13a827947567
Canadian Cannabis Awards 2019
The sixth annual Canadian Cannabis Awards take place on November 8 in Toronto, ON