Events

B2B Cannabis Event Exhibitors: Make Hay on the Second Day

Published

21 hours ago

July 16, 2026

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B2B Cannabis Event Exhibitors: Make Hay on the Second Day

Even at great B2B cannabis conventions, the second day is almost always slower and very often less productive. While exhibitors can’t do much about the first part (less traffic), there are many tried and true strategies that can be executed that actually use the slower pace of the floor to significantly improve event productivity and ROI. In no particular order, here are some best practices to make the second day of a trade show as productive as the first:

Turn it back inside

On Day One, ask your respective booth visitors if they’re only there for the day, or if they’ll be returning. At the end of day one (or early the next morning), reach out to candidates who will be attending day two and invite them to come visit you again (or meet for coffee, lunch, sesh, etc.) and what events they’ll be going to in the hours after the show. It’s a great chance to get that initial “nice to meet you/see you at the show” follow-up conversation out of the way BEFORE you get back to the office so you’re ready to talk business right out of the gate when you follow up. It definitely helps to have an incentive to bring them back—snacks, abundant product, giveaways, discounts at shows, etc.

Release the hounds

Categorize the day you lead and share it instantly with the team. This allows you to work on any problem, conversation strategy, etc. during every two days with slow/slow time so you can solve any problems while the team is all together. You can also double-check customer data, confirm whether you have data from every relevant exhibitor, eliminate redundancies and set new targets. Again, the idea here is to get as much progress as possible on the spot while it’s fresh and let everyone hit the run after the show. And since you gave away all the leads…

Encourage immediate follow-up

If there’s an overstaffing on that last day, designate a space (away from the booth, or at least in the back of it) for people to take turns sending their follow-up emails, making calls to prospects who might go on the floor, and anything else that can be done internally to move the sales process along. You can make it more interesting by running a contest, with prizes based on a metric in your CRM system.

Just rope ‘n tie and em brand: “Rawhide!”

Anyone who has walked the 2nd day convention floor knows that the line between an effective welcoming sales rep and an overzealous hungry dog can get blurry, but as attendance gets easier, skilled aisle “brawlers” become even more important! If you have people on your team who excel at this, encourage them to lead and teach the skills. Also – Most booths have giveaways and giveaways on opening day, but a lot of people run out – beat the competition by saving some of your best lures and giveaways for the last day, when you really need them.

Visit and bring a friend!

Not enough 2 participants per day coming to you? Don’t make your booth less attractive by having 4-5 people staring longingly at passers-by. Go get them. If the last day is slow for you, chances are it is for your potential customers who are exhibiting and attending as well. On the exhibitor side, save most of your booth visits for the last day and make it a double team. Bringing in a product expert, company influencer, or another person who plays a role in the buying cycle can be a big help. Don’t forget the attendees – on a slower second day, people walking the floor tend to take more breaks and are more welcoming to casual conversation, creating an almost ‘after-party/mixer’ feel right at the show. Send staff people to visit and hang out in lounge areas, food courts, smoking sections, etc. Remember that it is important to know and respect these spaces: relax and engage in real company. Ask questions, listen. If a business conversation develops organically, great. If not, it’s better to move politely than to try to force it.

For more insights and information about B2B events in the cannabis industry, check out the Virtual Notes for Live Events newsletter on LinkedIn.

About NECANN: Since first launching in 2014, NECANN has taken a different path from traditional B2B conventions. Rather than focusing on what each new cannabis market can do for us, NECANN has taken a collaborative approach with local industries and communities for our events. This includes investing in and promoting local work being done before entering the market, and a commitment to donate 10% of our showroom space to social capital licensees and advocacy groups. The result has been consistently high returns for exhibitors, sponsors, attendees and the local cannabis market as a whole, allowing everyone to benefit and grow. To view our upcoming convention program and find out if attending or exhibiting is right for you, visit us at necann.com

Note: Partner content is published in collaboration with our promotional partners. Each article is reviewed for quality and relevance by our editors, but we do not endorse or value the opinions expressed by guest contributors.

California

San Francisco Considers Letting Cannabis Consumption Lounges Host Music, Serve Food

Published

5 days ago

July 12, 2026

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San Francisco Considers Letting Cannabis Consumption Lounges Host Music, Serve Food

San Francisco supervisors have advanced a proposal that would allow existing cannabis lounges to serve food and soft drinks and host live entertainment. NBC Bay Area reports.

The Board of Supervisors approved the ordinance 7-4 on its first reading Tuesday, with a final vote expected next week, according to the report. If passed, the measure would allow the city’s cannabis dispensaries to expand their offerings under a state law authored by Assemblyman Matt Haney (D).

Supervisor Rafael Mandelman, who introduced the ordinance in the spring, said the policy could help the city’s licensed cannabis operators develop more sustainable business models while also attracting tourism.

“Amsterdam does a lot of tourist business and has a lot of benefits from cannabis cafes,” Mandelman said, according to the report.

“San Francisco is not Amsterdam; there may be elements of that that we will see here, and again, that may be part of our recovery.”

William Dolan, CEO of Hyrba dispensary in the Sunset District, said the proposal would advance a nearly decade-long plan to open a community cannabis space in the Mission District, where customers could legally consume cannabis while getting food, snacks or coffee.

The ordinance has drawn opposition from public health advocates and some city officials over concerns about indoor smoking. Supervisor Myrna Melgar, who voted against the measure, said the proposal “sets back our public health goals,” while the American Smokers’ Rights Foundation warned that workers and recreationists could face increased exposure to indoor air pollution.

Mandelman said Tuesday’s vote suggests the proposal is likely to pass final reading.

Ganjapreneur: Providing everyday knowledge since 2014, the leading digital business magazine for cannabis industry professionals. Subscribe to the newsletter to join our community of over 40,000 cannabis entrepreneurs.

Announcements

CannaCon Returns to St. Paul June 26–27, Bringing Industry Leaders, Education, and Networking to Minnesota’s Cannabis Market

Published

1 month ago

June 11, 2026

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CannaCon Returns to St. Paul June 26–27, Bringing Industry Leaders, Education, and Networking to Minnesota's Cannabis Market

Pot Brothers at Law, Roundtable Discussions and an Exclusive Q&A with the Office of Cannabis Management Highlight This Year’s Event

ST. PAUL, MN – CannaCon, the nation’s premier B2B cannabis conference and expo, returns to the Saint Paul RiverCentre on June 26–27, 2026, bringing together cannabis entrepreneurs, growers, retailers, processors, manufacturers, investors and industry service providers from across Minnesota.

As Minnesota’s adult-use cannabis market continues to evolve, CannaCon St. Paul offers attendees a unique opportunity to connect directly with industry experts, regulators and business leaders as they explore the latest products, services and innovations shaping the future of cannabis.

One of this year’s featured attractions is an appearance by nationally known people Pot Brothers at Lawattorneys Marc and Craig Wasserman, known for their viral “Shut the F*ck Up” campaign that educates cannabis consumers and businesses about their legal rights. Attendees will hear first-hand insights into boating interactions with law enforcement and regulators while protecting themselves and their businesses.

In addition to a robust seminar program, CannaCon St. Paul will display interactive The Round Table designed to foster meaningful conversations among cannabis professionals. These peer-to-peer sessions will allow attendees to exchange ideas, share experiences and discuss the real-world challenges and opportunities facing operators in Minnesota’s emerging market.

Attendees will also have the opportunity to participate in a special Question and Answer Session with the Minnesota Office of Cannabis Management (OCM). This highly anticipated session will provide valuable insight into licensing, compliance requirements, regulatory updates and the future direction of Minnesota’s cannabis industry.

“Our goal is to create an environment where businesses can learn, connect and grow,” said Angela Grelle, Director of Marketing for CannaCon. “With Minnesota’s cannabis industry entering an exciting new phase, we’re proud to offer a platform that connects entrepreneurs with the education, resources and relationships they need to succeed.”

In addition to educational programming, attendees can explore over one hundred exhibitors showcasing cultivation technology, retail solutions, extraction equipment, packaging, compliance services, financial resources, software platforms and other products designed to help cannabis businesses thrive.

Whether you’re preparing to launch a new cannabis venture, expand an existing operation, or stay ahead of industry trends, CannaCon St. Paul offers two days of education, networking and business-focused opportunities.

Event details

CannaCon St. Paul 2026
26–27 June 2026
Saint Paul River Center
St. Paul, Minnesota

For tickets, exhibitor information and event updates, visit CannaCon.org.

About CannaCon

CannaCon is the nation’s premier B2B cannabis conference and expo, bringing together cannabis industry professionals for education, networking and business development opportunities. Since its inception, CannaCon has connected thousands of entrepreneurs, operators and industry experts helping businesses grow in legal cannabis markets across the United States.

Media contact:
Angela Grelle
COO
CannaCon
angela@cannacon.org
www.cannacon.org

chicago

IgniteIt Brings Cannabis Capital Conference to Chicago’s Magnificent Mile

Published

1 month ago

June 4, 2026

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IgniteIt Brings Cannabis Capital Conference to Chicago's Magnificent Mile

If Spotlight in New Jersey was any indication, the IgniteIt Capital Cannabis Conference in Chicago is shaping up to be a significant moment for the industry.

From Jersey City to the Magnificent Mile

Turn it onThe recent New Jersey event sold out, attracting more than 500 operators, investors and service providers to a one-day program in Jersey City built around curated presentations, gatekeeper networking and structured meetings. Attendees and organizers described the hallway conversations as essential as the panels themselves—coffee lines turned into breakout sessions, presentations that led to follow-up meetings.

The Spotlight Series is designed as an on-ramp to Chicago, giving emerging brands, multi-state operators and investors a chance to meet and compare notes before hitting the bigger stage. The idea is that relationships started in Jersey City have somewhere to go—Chicago is where the follow-up email becomes a term sheet, a pilot partnership or a conversation about multi-state expansion.

Where capital appears ready to work

The Chicago conference has developed a reputation as a gathering where serious cannabis capital actually moves. Across three days on the Magnificent Mile, the expected line-up of attendees includes CEOs, fund managers, family offices and institutional players – along with founders and operators looking to get ahead of them.

The format reflects that: on-stage pitches, private meetings and structured networking sit alongside core programming, making the deal environment more purposeful than a typical exhibition floor. All plant-touching companies, ancillary technology firms, consumer brands and multi-state operators are expected, many of which are actively seeking capital, strategic partners or exits.

Content that moves the needle

The program features more than 120 speakers, including executives from leading multinational operators and financial institutions. Sessions include market-focused and functional tracks, covering capital strategy, scaling in competitive markets, regulatory changes, pricing pressure and the federal perspective.

The panel topics are particularly practical: how to protect margins during the downturn, how to expand across state lines, how to prepare for institutional capital, and how policy changes are likely to reshape operations over the next one to two years. A media stage hosts live chats throughout the event, with a special program for brands looking to build relationships with the press.

With intentional networking, curated deal spaces, and content created for the people who actually sign paychecks and term sheets, Chicago has become a benchmark for what a cannabis business conference can be when every element is designed around results over optics. For operators serious about building, scaling or deploying capital in this industry, the sheer volume of opportunities in this room could make it the defining moment of the next chapter in your playbook.