Longtime NisonCo blog readers will know how much NisonCo loves attending cannabis conferences and how essential we think cannabis events are to success in the industry. This month, we wanted to hear your thoughts.
We asked experts in the cannabis and psychedelics industries about the role that conferences play in their business strategies, and we got some incredibly insightful answers spanning several different approaches.
Once you’ve read through these perspectives, revisit our lists of cannabis events, psychedelics conferences, and plant-based trade shows to decide which you will tackle with your newfound knowledge.
Conferences Help Build the Cannabis Community
The biggest reasons to attend a cannabis conference are to build client relationships and connect with the larger community. There’s nothing like the atmosphere at an industry-specific event where everyone is excited about the same things, and many of our respondents agreed.
“I love conferences! For me, conferences are so much more than just the content; it is the relationships that are built and the camaraderie that you continue to create with colleagues in person while being surrounded by the buzz and excitement of being together, all striving for the same thing. [Conference attendance is essential] to continue to support this industry and the people in it.”
— Daniela Williams, Chief Growth Officer of Paylient
“Conferences are a critical part of the cannabis industry, as it remains a very relationship-based community. We attend shows with the intent of meeting new customers, maintaining existing relationships, and tracking industry trends.”
— Michael Bologna, CEO of Dip Devices
“Conferences are a core part of our network management strategy. There’s something special about sharing experiences with clients, partners and prospectives that allow for deeper conversations, idea generation and off-the-clock fun. You’ll find us at the bigger name shows, and we’re focusing on regional events as new markets come online.”
— Victoria Meiler-Gates, Director of Operations at NisonCo
“Trust is a huge factor in doing business of any kind, and in the world of cannabis, that is even more essential to creating and closing deals. Conferences are critical in establishing those relationships from the start. Facetime beats all.”
— Connie McGarrah, Director of Revenue Rootwurks
“Attending cannabis conferences is integral to our firm strategy as it allows us to foster in-person connections with our existing clients, facilitating meaningful interactions and collaborations among them. These events provide a platform to share valuable information and insights, ensuring that our clients stay informed and ahead of industry trends. By engaging in these conferences, we not only reinforce our commitment to client relationships but also maintain our position at the forefront of the evolving cannabis landscape.”
— Heidi Urness and Perry Salzhauer, Co-Chairs of the Cannabis Practice Group at McGlinchey Stafford PLLC
Cannabis Conferences as a Vehicle for Change
The cannabis industry is facing much change these days, with talk of rescheduling and the 2024 elections on the horizon. Whether it’s an election year or not, cannabis conferences are also great places for industry leaders to push for growth and evolution in the sector.
“We are at the intersection of a very crucial time for Cannabis nationally and locally in Florida. Florida is at the crux of a vote for recreational use, so there’s a big push for ‘Vote Yes on 3’ in November. At the same time, we should be informed before the [next big] conference on the 22 new Florida license winners. Nationally, rescheduling will also create momentum for the industry.”
— Todd Friedman, Director of Strategic Partnerships for DAG Facilities
“The onus on building a legal cannabis industry falls on retailers at the local level to build a community that supports the licensed operators and encourages the unlicensed to join us. The conferences we attend are typically more convention-oriented, with many exhibitors in addition to a conference program. The events we attend have diverse verticals from the seed-to-sale to the ancillary companies, and our company seeks to work with all of them in different capacities. As a subject matter expert, I submit to speak at all events I attend, seeking to impart my views and strategies to a captive audience and make the case to join our association. Ultimately, the goal we have is to migrate customers from the unlicensed market into the licensed, and without events, this will never happen.”
— Scott Giannotti, Founder of the Cannabis and Hemp Association
Share Knowledge at Cannabis and Psychedelic Events
With so many thought leaders and forward-thinking companies in the same room at cannabis and psychedelic conferences, it’s a given that you’ll learn new things and formulate new ideas. Conferences are a great place to share knowledge, whether you attend panel discussions or brainstorm in small groups with your fellow industry leaders.
“By connecting with industry leaders, we not only learn from the trajectory of the cannabis business but also share the significance of retreats, wellness spaces, and community healing. These conferences enable us to foster relationships, exchange knowledge, and advocate for holistic wellness and transformative experiences. We know that psilocybin and other psychedelics will be following in the footsteps of cannabis and also blazing new pathways.”
— Amanda Schendel, Founder & CEO of The Buena Vida Retreat
“Accessibility to [psychoactive] compounds is made available by raising awareness of [their power for personal and collective healing], and also the responsibility to use this power safely. Conferences that raise awareness and bridge connections from the public and professional domains become a resource for us all.”
— Alyssa Spungen (she/her), Communications Coordinator, BHT, CDP, RYT at Tucson Counseling Associates
NisonCo Content Director Marissa Black-Smith interviews Mello Cannabis Co-Owner and Director of Cultivation Tyler McCain at MJBizCon 2023 for strategic content curation.
Gain Exposure and Connect with Clients at Trade Shows
Both B2B and B2C conferences are great venues for business development. They’re exciting environments, and there’s no better way to make new business connections than face-to-face.
“For us, expos and trade shows in the industry have been vital to our exposure and success. When you’re calling retailers and dispensaries to share your products and they say, ‘Oh yes, we met at or I saw your booth at the show,’ it provides credibility, recognition, and social proof, which is vital for newer brands.”
— Rianna Young, Founder and CEO, Happy Hounds CBD
“The cannabis industry is all about relationships, so conferences are a huge part of how we stay in touch with current clients and meet new farmers, brands, and dispensaries… Customers love getting samples and seeing [our products] in real life!”
— Harrison Bard, CEO and Co-Founder of CustomConesUSA.com & DaySavers
“I’ve always found that an industry convention is about amplifying our consulting firm’s market presence, accelerating growth, and fostering pivotal relationships. Emerging markets come in waves of excitement and conferences can be the flashpoint to bring new clients to the room, while also cementing relationships with referral sources.”
— Ellie Siegel, Founder and CEO of Longview Strategic
“As retailers, we utilize local conferences as a platform to share our brand story and how we differentiate ourselves in the market.”
— Marcus Johnson-Smith, Co-Founder and CMO of Kush Groove
“Industry conferences have been the best B2B bang for your buck for decades. There you’ll find the most current business information from people on the front lines.”
— Michael O’Malley, Founder and Inventor of Curved Papers
4 Ways to Make Your Next Conference the Most Successful Yet
A successful conference strategy is as multifaceted as your business plan. Here are a few more things to consider to make the most of your company’s upcoming conferences and events.
Brush up on Conference Strategies
With so much to do and so many people to meet, it can be hard to keep track of everything at cannabis conferences. Make sure to make a plan beforehand. Guides, like our annual guide to the iconic MJBizCon, can be helpful references in formulating your strategy and planning out your agenda.
Do Conference Outreach Ahead of Time
If you’re hoping to connect with other conference attendees, one of the best additions to your strategy is conference research and outreach. NisonCo offers conference outreach services to research, narrow down, and contact other conference attendees beforehand so that you can start making connections before the event.
NisonCo regularly leverages this strategy in our own conference preparation, and we’ve found that it’s an incredible way to make the most of your time at the conference. It frees you up so that you can spend your time giving interviews and solidifying connections instead of trying to track people down on the conference floor.
Attend Conference Afterparties and Events
The networking doesn’t end when the conference closes at the end of the day, nor does the fun. Attending afterparties and other events or having meals with contacts is a great way to deepen the connections you’ve made during the event and get to know people on a more personal level. Every year, NisonCo compiles a list of afterparties and mixers for MJBizCon — maybe we’ll see you there!
NisonCo’s MJBizCon 2023 floor team connected with clients, journalists, advocates and friends old and new — all while finding the time to host an outstanding Bagel Bash. Click the image to connect with the team on LinkedIn.
Work with a Cannabis PR Firm to Perfect Your Conference Strategy
Putting together a comprehensive conference plan can take a lot of coordination, and you don’t always have time to navigate all the moving parts while also running your business. Working with an experienced cannabis PR firm like NisonCo will ensure that your conference experience goes smoothly and that you can maximize your attendance.
To learn more about how NisonCo PR and conference outreach services can help you prepare for, succeed at, and capitalize on your traction at the next cannabis conference you attend, contact us today.
