Industry Events
Top Cannabis Events to Attend in 2024
Build out your 2024 cannabis events agenda. From Spain to Germany to popular North American cannabis industry events, this list will have you poised for success.
We often find ourselves in a planning and reset phase during the first few months of the year. Even if we enter the New Year completely prepared, there’s a high chance we’ll want to take a little time off the road to “hibernate,” so to speak. This human desire to rest and reset is also apparent in the cannabis industry event schedule. Events begin rolling into gear and build momentum as spring approaches and we enter Q2, readying ourselves for networking and collaborating.
If you’re ready to make connections and build your network while staying on top of the latest trends, consider attending any of these B2B cannabis events in 2024. After building out our calendars, we’ve curated an impactful list that will help you get the most out of your time on the road. And what better way to kick things off than with a trip to Spain?
Spannabis Week
Barcelona, March 13-17
Cannabis has a long history in Spain, a country known for its rich culture. So it seems only fitting that our list starts here, with three exciting cannabis events scheduled for 2024. Join cannabis business professionals from around the world at the inaugural International Cannabis Awards (ICA) on March 13 at La Llotja, one of Barcelona’s treasured buildings. Described as “The Oscars of Cannabis,” this event will showcase the best flower and concentrates from the US and Europe. With a gala format, this will be a special night of networking and celebration attended by some of the weed world’s most experienced farmers and movers and shakers.
The ICA segues perfectly into the International Cannabis Business Conference (ICBC) in Barcelona on March 14. Once again, ICBC is teaming up with Spannabis for a cannabis super conference. The Barcelona B2B event is the first major international event of its kind for 2024. With cannabis leaders from dozens of countries in attendance, this is the ideal place to get your idea on the global cannabis stage.
The Spannabis Expo starts on March 15-17 at the Fira de Cornella. After a night of celebration at the ICA followed by the business-focused ICBC event, Spannabis is a great opportunity to reconnect with visitors and business owners alike in a more carefree environment. It’s three days of tradeshow floor exhibiting paired with exciting music and nightlife, educational speakers and more. With 30,000+ people in attendance, this event has it all.
MJ Unpacked
Atlantic City, NJ: April 9-11
MJ Unpacked is targeted to the essential subset within the CPG industry: brands and retailers, offering an exclusive platform for verified brand and retail leaders to connect. The focus of the events is to encourage peer-to-peer cooperation, exploring strategies for enhancing direct consumer interaction and navigating the ever-changing state-by-state regulatory environment. Using distinctive data presentations and relevant insights, MJ Unpacked delivers valuable resources tailored to the forefront of today’s market trends. What’s unique about MJUnpacked is the fact that attendance is restricted to cannabis retail and brand executives holding managerial positions or higher, R&D experts, licensed laboratory professionals engaged in direct research and investors actively involved in the industry.
Benzinga Cannabis Capital Conference
Hollywood, FL: April 16-17
According to the event’s tagline, this is “where deals get done.” Benzinga conferences are smaller, more focused investment and branding conferences curated for North America’s top cannabis leaders. The spring conference is scheduled for April 16-17 at the Diplomat Beach Resort in Hollywood, FL. 25% of attendees are repeat customers, so you will also have the opportunity to deepen relationships if you’ve attended before.
ICBC Berlin
Berlin, Germany: April 16-17
If you’re looking to expand globally and make more international connections, add the International Cannabis Conference in Berlin from April 16-17 to your planner. With Germany just passing national adult-use cannabis legalization, it’s an exciting time to be there. ICBC’s Berlin conference is the largest and longest-running cannabis industry B2B event. This is Germany’s biggest gathering of influential and political business leaders.
National Cannabis Festival
Washington D.C.: April 19-20
The National Cannabis Festival, an annual celebration of cannabis that attracts over 30,000 advocates, business leaders, patients, and enthusiasts to the festival grounds at RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C., today announced Thundercat, Wu-Tang Clan, and Redman as its headliners on Friday, April 19th, and Saturday, April 20th.
The lineup is complemented by a diverse range of talent, including Black Rave Culture, Black Alley, RDGLDGRN, Cumbia Heights, Noochie Live From The Front Porch, Proverbs Reggae Band, Backyard Band with Devin the Dude, and DJ Farrah Flosscett.
For the first time, festival-goers will also have the chance to explore the Shops of Shaolin, an exclusive pop-up shop featuring Wu Brands and its affiliates, including Method Man’s Tical Athletics, TICAL Official, and RX Water; Ghostface Killah’s Killah Koffee; RZA’s Park Hill Clothing; Raekwon’s Hashstoria and Compliments of the Chef; and brands representing YDB, Cappadonna, DJ Mathematics, U-God, and Inspectah Deck.
While taking a break from shopping, guests can also enjoy the Shops of Shaolin Smoke Lounge.
“The Shops of Shaolin is going to be something very special with our Wu brothers,” said Nathaniel “Nutta TICAL” Vereen. “TICAL Official is looking forward to being part of it and welcoming fans to walk through and experience it for themselves.”
In addition to the concert, the festival features six education pavilions covering topics such as Wellness, Policy, Culture, Culinary, Grower’s World, and Psychedelics. The LGBTQIA+ Lounge, a gathering place for advocates and community members, will also be returning this year to facilitate networking and the sharing of experiences. Additionally, both the Seniors Lounge (for NCF’s “golden buds”) and the Veterans Pavilion, hosted by Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) and Balanced Veterans, will be making a comeback to provide a retreat for our special guests from the hustle and bustle of the festivities.
Cannabis World Congress Expo
New York, NY: June 5-6
The 10th annual CWCB Expo takes place June 5-6 at the Javits Convention Center in New York City. Since its launch in 2014, the event has built a reputation as the East Coast’s premier B2B cannabis and hemp expo and conference. This conference is more than meeting new people and learning about new brands—it’s about truly working together to build the industry. This is an impactful opportunity to capitalize on the New York tri-state area’s cannabis and hemp market potential.
Flower Expo
Greenfield, MA: June 5-6
Allegan, MI: Aug. 7-8
As the name (and the artwork) suggests, The Flower Expo is a higher spirited event in comparison to the CWCB Expo and Benzinga Cannabis Conferences. Hosted over two separate weekends, brands, dispensaries and the media mingle in Greenfield, MA (June 5-6) and Allegan, MI (August 7-8)—two cities known for legacy cannabis. Both events are hosted at the local county fairgrounds to allow consumption and sampling at the shows. These fun but focused events bring together the vibes, the parties and the business.
CHAMPS
Las Vegas, NV: July 12-15
CHAMPS tradeshows have a longstanding reputation as the industry’s premier counterculture expo. These popular events connect brands with buyers while also celebrating glass art and weed culture. Founded in Las Vegas in 1999, this year marks the tradeshow’s 25th anniversary. This thriving expo is unlike any other and offers opportunities for businesses to learn about new product offerings and stay on top of consumer trends. Keep your finger on the pulse in a lively tradeshow floor while meeting key decision-makers.
Montana Cannabis Events
Montana Cannabis Show: Billings, MT: June 14-16
Montana State Hemp and Cannabis Festival: Lolo Hot Springs, MT: September 6-8
Make your way West to the Big Sky and explore this new frontier of cannabis the state’s largest cannabis and hemp business tradeshow. The Montana Cannabis Show is the ideal place for both cannabis enthusiasts and professionals to learn more about the state of the industry in Montana and all of the products and brands available. With over 100 vendors showcasing their products, this is a great place to find new brands for your storefront or to get your product in front of buyers.
We can’t say bye to Montana cannabis without mentioning the beautifully unique Montana State Hemp and Cannabis Festival. Built on a passion for cannabis, music and community, this event is more B2C-focused than the others on this list. Held at the private Lolo Hot Springs, the carefree setting is the perfect place to gather with friends, new and old, to learn and celebrate the power of the plant. The festival vibe of this event draws people together from different circles and fosters a sense of collaboration and unity. According to the website, the Montana State Hemp & Cannabis Festival models itself after a music festival melded with a hemp and cannabis tradeshow/festival for the perfect fusion of fun and progress.
The Emerald Cup
Oakland, CA: August 17-18
This year marks the 20th anniversary of the Emerald Cup. This well-established cannabis event is planting new roots at Oakland’s Henry J. Kaiser Center For The Arts as well as offering new and expanded programming in an effort to enhance and grow the event. The event center is a 110-year-old art deco venue with a history of hosting great music and luminaries such as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, the Grateful Dead, Hendrix, Queen, Sinatra, Dylan, Elvis and Bob Marley. The cultural significance of such a place lends itself to the cultural cannabis hub that the Emerald Cup is known for. This will be a public event combining the legendary Emerald Cup Competition and Awards. Attendees can expect a Craft Cannabis Marketplace, engaging seminars, indoor and outdoor activations, live music and entertainment, plus food, drinks and, of course, cannabis consumption.
Blunt Brunch
Las Vegas, NV: December 2
Calling all the ladies! On December 2, gain valuable business advice and connect with female-powered brands. Blunt Brunch is an empowering and uplifting event that brings together women working in weed to share their wins and talk about the challenges. The intimate setting with approximately 400 attendees perfectly blends B2B and B2C components.
MJBIZCon
Las Vegas, NV: December 3-6
Widely recognized as the biggest event in cannabis, MJBizCon returns to the Las Vegas Convention Center on December 3-6. This high-energy event is a place to reconnect with current clients and business partners while meeting new brands and learning about new trends. With 30,000-plus attendance, it’s highly recommended that you head into MJBizCon with a game plan. Strategize the booths you want to visit. Find out where they’re located so you can make the most of your time. Plan which after-parties and offsite meetings you want to attend. This event offers something for everyone—but knowing how to leverage it for your goals is key. From science to marketing to finance and psychedelics, there is a topic for every sector of the cannabis industry.
There are many cannabis events in 2024 to choose from. When it comes to networking and deal-making, these are the cream of the crop. Located in a variety of exciting destinations for both cannabis business and personal exploration, these primarily B2B cannabis industry events will help you boost your cannabis business knowledge while making meaningful relationships. See you there.
