Maximizing Your Cannabis Conference Experience in 2024: A Guide from Rachel Wright, CPA

As the leisurely pace of summer vacations winds down, the buzz of Q3 and Q4 conference planning is ramping up. At 420 CPA, we’re deep into our annual planning phase, setting the stage to finalize our picks, budgets, and representatives by mid-August. Given the whirlwind nature of conferences—from countless panels and sessions to the myriad of networking opportunities—it’s crucial to approach these events with a strategic plan.Here’s how you can get your company’s stakeholders prepared for events season: 

Pre-Conference Planning: Laying the Groundwork

1. Research the Conference

Start by understanding which cannabis industry conferences your peers are attending and why. Get a firm grasp of the event's theme and agenda. Identify key speakers and pinpoint sessions that align with your interests. Also, look for special events, workshops, or additional networking opportunities that could be beneficial. 

2. Set Clear Objectives

What do you hope to achieve by attending? Whether it’s expanding your network, learning new industry insights, or promoting your business, setting specific goals is crucial. For example, aim to meet at least ten new contacts or learn about an emerging technology that could impact your business strategy. 

3. Plan Your Schedule

With your objectives in mind, prioritize the sessions and events that will best help you achieve them. However, remember to balance your agenda by leaving free time for impromptu meetings, as well as for some much-needed relaxation, exercise, and sleep. 

4. Prepare Materials

Ensure you have plenty of business cards and any brochures or marketing materials that effectively represent your brand. Bring a notepad or digital device for note-taking and any necessary materials if you’re speaking or presenting. 

5. Reach Out in Advance

Don’t wait until you arrive to start making connections. Schedule meetings beforehand with attendees and exhibitors you’re interested in meeting. Engaging with speakers or exhibitors via social media can also enhance your visibility and facilitate smoother interactions during the conference. 

Where You’ll Find Me and the 420 CPA Team This Season

I’ll be attending several key events in 2024 where the pulse of the cannabis industry is most vibrant. Catch me at: The Emerald CupAugust 17-18, 2024Oakland, CaliforniaThe community the Emerald Cup has built in Northern California advances the concept of sustainable, outdoor farming. The awards each year bring together experts and educators in cannabis, from farmers, to patients, patrons and others. NECANN New JerseySeptember 6-7, 2024Atlantic City, New Jersey&NECANN New YorkOctober 25-26, 2024Syracuse, New YorkFounded in 2019, NECANN has built a reputation over the years as being a go-to regional B2B cannabis event for industry professionals. Advocates, cultivators, dispensaries, extraction professionals, and others come together education and expo—and the event is priced as such to allow businesses of all kinds to attend. Hall of FlowersSeptember 20-21, 2024Santa Rosa, CaliforniaHall of Flowers has long been known for its ability to connect brands, retailers, and investors in the Californian and Canadian markets, as well as present brands to the cannabis consumer public. This year, HoF is opening its industry event to the public on Day 2. Benzinga Cannabis Capital ConferenceOctober 8-9, 2024Chicago, Illinois&Benzinga Market Spotlight: California – Cannabis, pt. IINovember 12, 2024Anaheim, CaliforniaBenzinga’s Cannabis Capital Conference is the industry’s go-to finance event, known for being the conference where “deals get done.” The event also offers scholarships for women-owned and minority-owned businesses. Benzinga has also been taking its event regional, with pop-up events in key cannabis markets like New Jersey and California. MJ UnpackedNovember 5-7, 2024St. Louis, MissouriMJ Unpacked launched with a narrower scope to cater exclusively to brands, retailers, and investors of positions of title manager and above in the THC regulated market, and has since expanded to include scientists and other cultivation professionals.  MJBizCon 2024December 3-6, 2024Las Vegas, NevadaMJBizCon is the largest and one of the longest-running cannabis industry conferences in this space. Held at the Las Vegas Convention Center, the event brings tens of thousands of attendees and includes multiple floors of exhibit space. No matter how your business intersects with the cannabis industry, you will find booths, networking events, and education catered to your market segment. Conferences are more than just learning and networking opportunities—they are a catalyst for growth and innovation. By preparing effectively, you ensure that you not only add value to your conference experience but also bring back actionable insights and meaningful connections that could shape the future of your business.Stay tuned for future posts where I'll dive into each of these conferences specifically to share some of my biggest takeaways from attending this year.Let’s make this conference season the most productive yet!