The cannabis industry is gearing up for the 2022 conference season. Cannabis conferences are a great way for those in the industry to network with other professionals and also provide an opportunity for those looking to enter the industry to learn more about its various sectors and businesses. After a full-stop to conferences in 2020 due the coronavirus pandemic and a slow return to business in 2021, many in the industry are looking forward to this year’s busy season! Even still, this year is not without its own cancellations, delays, and event reschedules.
This year sees the return of veteran cannabis conferences like MJBizCon, NECANN, and the Cannabis Conference, as well as the introduction to new conference locales and hosts. One reason that this season’s conference schedule is so busy is due to the spread of legalization throughout the United States. States with newly enacted cannabis laws are seeing an influx of cannabis industry conferences and educational events eager to introduce newcomers to the industry.
MJBizCon
MJBizCon is the biggest cannabis industry event of the year and has been a can’t miss event for over a decade. This event will be hosted at the Las Vegas Convention Center from November 15-18 and attracts licensed and ancillary cannabis businesses, brands, investors, and professionals from every sector of the industry. MJBizCon occurs over a three-day period packed with networking opportunities, after-hours events, and over 35,000 attendees.
The conference boasts over 250,000 square feet of exhibitors also includes educational forums, networking events, and over 140 speakers. This will be MJBizCon’s 11th anniversary, but will be the first event since the event was acquired by Emerald X, though there have not been changes announced to MJBizCon’s core team.
The Cannabis Conference
The Cannabis Conference is another big industry event that occurs in Las Vegas. The conference is hosted by Cannabis Business Times, HempGrower, and Cannabis Dispensary and is scheduled for August 23-25 this year. The event has been growing in size annually is expected to draw over 3000 attendees.
NECANN Cannabis Conventions
NECANN advertises as being the “World’s Largest B2B Cannabis Convention and is hosting multiple conventions throughout the United States this year. NECANN is a great event for both licensed and ancillary cannabis businesses and each event boasts impressive speakers and engaging educational sessions.
Though NECANN has seen the recent cancellation of its Oklahoma event and the rescheduling of its New York convention, NECANN will still hold five other conventions. This year’s locations include Illinois (Chicago; June 10-11), Vermont (Burlington; June 25-26), New York (Albany; August 26-27), New Jersey (Atlantic City; September 9-10), and Maine (Portland; September 24-25). Their events in New York and New Jersey are expected to be especially large since these states are in the process of rolling out adult-use cannabis programs.
CannaCon
CannaCon is another conference producer that advertises as being the “The Nation’s Leading B2B Cannabis Conference.” CannaCon is hosting multiple events throughout the United States this year including in Detroit (July 22-23), Chicago (August 26-27), Denver (September 24-25), and Richmond (October 14-15).
NCIA Cannabis Business Summit and Expo
The NCIA Cannabis Business Summit and Expo has been an annual event for the last six years and is known as being one of the oldest and most established events in the industry. Though the event was scheduled to occur in San Francisco, California from July 20-22, the NCIA recently announced that they have cancelled the event so that they can have “sufficient time to evaluate and implement new features” based on “constructive feedback and insights from exhibitors and attendees, as well as throughout the broader cannabis industry.” It is yet to be seen if this conference will be rescheduled for later in the year.
MJ Unpacked
MJ Unpacked is an event designed specifically for cannabis brands and retailers and is a smaller venue ideal for spurring successful collaborations between licensed operators and investors. MJ Unpacked is an exclusive event limited to cannabis retail and brand executives with the title manager and above and accredited investors, and though the event was rescheduled once this year, appears on track for its May 18-20 event in New York City. Though last year was MJ Unpacked’s first ever event, the event was received well and has garnered a positive reputation in the industry.
CannaOne
CannaOne is another producer of many industry events including in Mississippi (July 7-9), Virginia (August 25-27), New Jersey (October 10-12), and Las Vegas (December 14-16). These events are usually smaller events that draw a good mix of licensed and ancillary cannabis businesses and hosts speakers, educational sessions, and networking events.
How Can Sapphire Risk Help?
Tony Gallo and the team of experts and consultants at Sapphire Risk Advisory Group attends dozens of industry events each year. Follow us on social media to find out where we will be next!
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