One of the biggest cannabis conferences of the year, MJBizCon, will be here before we know it — and really, it’s never too early to start preparing your conference strategy.
As longtime MJBizCon attendees with more than 11 years of experience in the cannabis industry, we have some insight to share about how to make the most out of your MJBizCon experience. Read on for ten things you must remember to make this conference successful for your brand.
Are you not attending MJBizCon this year? No worries! These tips apply to any conference in any industry, too. Take a look at our lists of cannabis conferences, psychedelic conferences, and plant-based conferences to fill out your calendar for the rest of 2024.
When is MJBizCon 2024?
MJBizCon will be held from December 3 to 6, 2024. Pre-show forums are on December 3.
Where is MJBizCon 2024?
2024 MJBizCon will be held at the Las Vegas Convention Center near downtown Las Vegas, Nevada.
10 Essential Tips for Attending MJBizCon and Other Exciting Cannabis Conferences
MJBizCon is a huge event, so it’s important to come prepared with a thought-out conference strategy. Here are the top ten tips we share with clients attending MJBizCon and other conferences, events, and expos.
1. Do Your Research and Prepare Before the Conference
When it comes to an event like MJBizCon, there’s no such thing as too much preparation. Study headshots and bios so you know who to be on the lookout for as you walk the exhibition floor. Print a round of business cards, flyers, and any other handouts you want to share with contacts at the event; cellphone service in the exhibition hall is unpredictable, so physical handouts are best. Pack a bag with all the essentials you will need during the conference, too. We always bring note-taking materials, an extra phone charger, and a portable battery bank.
2. Start Connecting Early with Outbound Marketing
MJBizCon always seems too short to check off everything on our to-do list. The best way to make the most of your time is to start networking before the event begins. Reach out to attendees and exhibitors ahead of time to schedule meetings, conduct interviews, and just say hi to industry connects.
We’ve been conducting outbound conference lead generation for ourselves for years and have seen incredible results. This year, we’ve started offering the same services to our clients so that you can spend your time at MJBizCon connecting instead of trying to track people down.
3. Polish Your Web Presence
You’ll be networking and making connections at MJBizCon, so putting your best foot forward is essential in real life and online. Before the conference begins, set aside time to polish your web presence.
Update your personal LinkedIn and your company’s social media profiles so that your new connections will recognize who you are and what you’re all about as soon as they click on your name.
Don’t forget SEO, too! Ideally, you’ll exchange information with every person you talk to, but that’s not the reality of a busy event like MJBizCon. With a top-notch SEO strategy, people can find your company in a snap, even if all they caught was your name.
4. Mixers, Events and Afterparties — Oh My!
The conference itself isn’t your only opportunity to make connections at MJBizCon. Virtual mixers beforehand and after parties during the conference week are a great way to make more personal connections and keep conversations away from the chaotic exhibition floor. Check back soon for NisonCo’s list of must-attend MJBizCon afterparties and mixers in 2024.
NisonCo & CMA’s annual Marketing Mixer is always a smashing success. In 2023, the groups took over Bagelmania Thursday morning to help attendees break away from boring hotel continental breakfasts and tiring, repetitive post-conference events. Click the above image to join our email list about 2024 event updates and to RSVP.
If you have some experience attending MJBizCon and other conferences, you could consider hosting or co-hosting your own event to promote your brand.
5. A Conference Booth Isn’t Everything
It might seem like booths are the centerpiece of any conference, but that isn’t actually the case. We typically advise our clients against investing in a booth, especially if it’s one of the first times they are attending MJBizCon or they are a smaller operator. Booths at this conference are expensive, and it’s hard to make an impression in such a crowded and chaotic environment. Besides, you’ll make far more connections and network opportunities if you aren’t sitting behind a table all day.
If you decide to invest in booth space at MJBizCon, partnering with another brand or company and sharing the space can be beneficial. This way, you will have support at the conference and a larger budget to work with.
6. MJBizCon is a Marathon, Not a Sprint
We can’t overstate how massive this cannabis conference is. It sees more than 30,000 attendees yearly, and the convention center is so big that we typically walk 7 to 10 miles a day — and we still don’t see everything. With so many people in the area for the conference, everything becomes an opportunity to network, too. We’ve had conversations with other cannabis industry professionals at the hotel, at the airport, and even in line at coffee shops.
It’s important to come ready to work and walk, but taking care of yourself is equally essential to keep up your momentum throughout the conference.
7. Get Social and Publish Copious Cannabis Content
No matter what your company does, posting about MJBizCon on social media can be beneficial. If you’re a B2C company, your customers will love getting a behind-the-scenes look at the cannabis industry. For B2B companies, posting on LinkedIn or other platforms can be a great way to connect with other attendees and boost your profile.
NisonCo’s content supports our business development and client goals. Click the image above to request support services for lead generation, content marketing and public relations.
Also, consider posting blogs and other content related to MJBizCon to connect with the community and share your experiences. We know you’ll be busy making and following up with connections, so a cannabis content creation agency can help you craft compelling content while you cater to your clients.
8. Prioritize Connections, Not Sales
It might sound counterintuitive, but your main focus at MJBizCon shouldn’t be business development. During our time attending the conference, we’ve learned that focusing on making connections is far more effective than trying to make pitches. The event is too busy to have many in-depth conversations, so it’s better to focus on introductions at the conference and follow up afterward to set up a meeting.
9. Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff
As much as we’ve been emphasizing preparation, it’s still essential to remember to leave time for spontaneous, unscheduled moments. You never know when you’ll encounter someone you recognize or get pulled into a fascinating conversation with another attendee.
One of the best examples is 4:20. We always try to step off the exhibition floor and into the outdoor lounge around that time to take a few minutes to relax and enjoy some genuine connection with the other attendees, away from the hustle and bustle of the conference. After all, we’re all there for the same reason — because we love cannabis in all of its many forms!
10. Keep the Momentum Going Post-MJBizCon
The most valuable takeaways from MJBizCon often come after the conference ends. Once you’ve decompressed after the conference, follow up with all of your new connections, update your network on the experience, and stay in touch with the online MJBiz community. It’s a great time to invest in PR, too, as a media marketing firm will be able to help you capitalize on the momentum you build at MJBizCon and similar conferences.
Cannabis Marketing Will Unlock Conference Success
At NisonCo, we believe that cannabis conferences are essential to any business strategy. Through this approach, we’ve helped countless clients achieve success.
Our full suite of cannabis marketing services can help your business maximize MJBizCon 2024 and other events. We’ll help you coordinate your strategy before, during, and after the conference so that you can focus more on creating connections and less on logistics.
Contact NisonCo today for more information about our services or to set up a free consultation call. And if you’re attending MJBizCon 2024, keep an eye out for us — maybe we’ll see you there!
