Marijuana is currently legal or decriminalized for recreational use in a total of 35 U.S. states and territories, and it’s legal for medicinal use in 42 states and territories. As a result, the cannabis industry has expanded rapidly. Along with this has come the introduction of cannabis trade shows and other events dedicated to the production, extraction, and use of marijuana and its derivatives. If you’re operating a business in this industry, it pays to attend these events. You only get one chance to make your name in a new industry. As it grows—and the major players are identified—it only becomes harder to compete. Now’s the time to make your mark! Attending industry events is a great way to get noticed and perhaps even attract investors.

1. CannaCon®

CannaCon is one of the country’s leading B2B cannabis trade shows, held in multiple locations every year. Collectively, this marijuana trade show has more than 25,000 attendees and 800-plus exhibitors. The schedule for 2022-2023 includes:

• Chicago, IL – August 26-27, 2022 at the Donald E Stephens Convention Center
• Denver, CO – September 24-25, 2022 at the Denver Convention Center
• Richmond, VA – October 14-15, 2022 at the Greater Richmond Convention Center
• Biloxi, MS – February 24-25, 2023 at the Mississippi Coast Coliseum
• Oklahoma City, OK – March 31-April 1, 2023 at the OKC Convention Center
• Albuquerque, NM – May 19-20, 2023 at the Albuquerque Convention Center
• Detroit, MI – June 23-24, 2023 at Huntington Place
• Long Beach, CA – August 4-5, 2023 at Long Beach Convention Center

Each event hosts vendors from a wide range of industry sectors, including:

• Farmers and cultivators
• Growing and processing equipment specialists
• Soil and nutrient experts
• Extraction specialists
• Investors
• And more

In every location, CannaCon is a chance for businesses of all sizes to network, learn, and grow. Many of these locations represent emerging cannabis markets. These shows are opportunities to get in on the ground floor. The CannaCon series of marijuana trade shows and conferences are a great way to meet new people, make new contacts, and access the resources you need to take your company to the next level.

LEARN MORE: https://cannacon.org/

2. The Emerald Cup Harvest Ball

The Emerald Cup is all about cannabis culture and always draws a big local crowd of enthusiasts. This cannabis convention is located in Santa Rosa in northern California, in a part of the state known as the Emerald Triangle for its strong connection to cannabis farming and culture. It’s typically held over a single weekend in December. Attendance has skyrocketed in recent years due to changes in California’s cannabis laws, but although the show is bigger than it’s ever been, it’s still considered a truly authentic celebration of cannabis cultivation and culture.  It’s not just for fun, though, as along with this celebration, there are sessions and speaker panels with some of the cannabis industry’s major visionaries and thought leaders.

In 2022 the Emerald Cup is scheduled for December 10 and 11 at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds in Santa Rosa, CA. Over 10,000 people attended in 2021, and even more are expected for 2022.

This is more of a B2C event, so it’s a great option for growers and retailers in the industry. There’s also room for B2B exhibitors and retailers, as the attendee line-up does include people in the industry, like farmers, retailers, and others.

LEARN MORE: https://theemeraldcup.com/

3. International Cannabis Business Conference (ICBC)

The International Cannabis Business Conference is a worldwide event, held in several locations each year. In 2020 this marijuana trade show was held at the Hilton® San Francisco Union Square, but in 2022 and 2023, it’s changed up the schedule with several European events—meaning potential opportunities to move into new global markets. With both a conference and an exhibition, ICBC gives attendees the chance to learn and network at the same event. If you’re interested in attending this event, check the ICBC website for updates. Dates that have been announced for the coming year include:

• Croatia Investor Retreat – September 22-23, 2022 at the Rovinj Grand Park Hotel; speakers and sessions plus networking and exhibits
• Barcelona B2B Conference – March 9, 2023 at the L’Auditori De Cornella; includes a cannabis trade show plus speakers, panels, and sessions on industry topics
• Berlin Global Investment Forum – June 27, 2023 at the Hotel Adlon; an investment-focused event that brings together investors and companies looking for capital
• Berlin B2B Conference – June 29-30, 2023 at the Estrel Hotel; includes a marijuana trade show plus speakers, panels, and sessions on industry topics

For exhibitors, ICBC is all about exposure, with the focus mainly on the B2B side of the cannabis industry. In previous years, cannabis expo topics have included:

• Federal cannabis law reform
• Investment and capital markets
• International investing
• CBD mainstreaming
• Distribution
• Tech

ICBC cannabis conference events are attended by several thousand people from a range of industry sectors. These include:

• Cultivating and farming
• Processing and extraction
• Tech and R&D
• Sales and distribution
• Retail
• Executive and management representatives from larger businesses

LEARN MORE: https://internationalcbc.com/

4. Cannabis World Congress & Business Exposition℠

This B2B-focused event is billed as the industry’s premier B2B cannabis and hemp expo and conference, and it definitely is one of the most extensive cannabis conventions on the annual schedule. Each event includes a variety of sessions, such as education sessions and workshops, networking events, and other activities for business owners and entrepreneurs. Plus, you’ll get to enjoy some of the industry’s most popular social events, including the NORML® Formal and the CWCBExpo Industry Yacht Party.

After taking a break in 2020, this marijuana trade show returned to form in 2021, with over 6,000 attendees and hundreds of exhibitors. The next Cannabis World Congress event is scheduled for June 1 to 3, 2023 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York City.

Attendees and exhibitors come from all over the industry and include:

• Retailers
• Growers
• Extractors and processors
• Research scientists and medical professionals
• Educators
• Executives and managers
• Sales reps
• Investors and entrepreneurs

This inclusive focus means that virtually any cannabis-related B2B business can find value in exhibiting here.

LEARN MORE: https://www.cwcbexpo.com/

5. CannMed

The cannabis trade show industry has many worthwhile options on the annual event schedule. But if you’re in the medical cannabis industry, CannMed is a standout that makes it a strong contender for inclusion on your own schedule. At CannMed, the focus is on medical and scientific innovation and brings together a wide range of leaders and innovators in marijuana science and medicine.

In 2023 CannMed runs from May 15 to 17 at the JW Marriott Marco Island Beach Resort on the Gulf of Mexico.

LEARN MORE: https://cannmedevents.com/

6. MJBizCon

As of 2022, this huge cannabis trade show is in its eleventh year and remains the world’s biggest and fastest-growing marijuana trade show. It’s now a full five-day event, with tens of thousands of attendees, dozens of speakers and conferences sessions, and more. In 2022 MJBizCon runs from November 15 to 18, 2022 at the Las Vegas Convention Center. You can expect:

• 1,400 exhibitors, 140 speakers, and 35,000 attendees
• MJBiz Marketing Forum, delivering marketing strategies and tools for marketing in the cannabis industry
• CannaVest West Institutional Capital Forum, a two-day forum for investors
• reMind Psychedelics Business Forum, a day-long forum covering research, trends, and timelines in the cannabis industry
• MJBiz Hemp and CBD Forum, a deep dive into the hemp and CBD business
• Innovative Product Showcase, a display of 100 of the most innovative products in the industry

Attendees include people from all sectors of the industry:

• Small cultivators and retailers
• Sales, management, and executive-level employees of larger national and global companies
• Tech and R&D companies
• Service providers, including marketing and advertising, insurance and legal, product licensing, and financial services

With such a varied attendee line-up, MJBizCon is a great exhibition opportunity for any company working in the cannabis industry. And, since this event is so expansive, there are opportunities here for businesses in other industries to potentially find new markets.

LEARN MORE: https://mjbizconference.com/

7. Alternative Products Expo

Formerly known as the USA CBD & Hemp Expo, this event has rebranded to encompass a wider range of industries and products and is now the Alternative Products Expo. This extensive event series includes several iterations each year, with the lineup for 2022-2023 including:

• Tampa, FL – November 10 to 12, 2022 at the Tampa Convention Center
• Lauderdale, FL – March 3 to 5, 2023 at the Broward County Convention Center
• Medellin, Colombia – May 20 to 21, 2023 at the Plaza Mayor
• Dallas, TX – July 13 to 15, 2023 at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center

Each event typically attracts over 10,000 visitors and features 300+ exhibitors, along with more than 50 speakers and dozens of sessions. Along with the cannabis trade show, there are education and networking opportunities to fill in the schedule.

LEARN MORE: https://altproexpo.com

Don’t Miss Your Chance to Rep Your Business!

The cannabis industry is a lucrative one, and it’s growing rapidly. Attending marijuana trade shows is an important means of gaining a foothold in this industry by networking, learning about new advances, and forging profitable business relationships. We can help you with all aspects of a successful showing. Contact ProExhibits today!