Looking to boost your cannabis brand in 2024? Here are the top 10 events for sponsorship:
- MJBizCon (Las Vegas, Dec 3-6)
- Cannabis Europa (Europe, TBA)
- NECANN Convention Series (Multiple US locations)
- CannaCon (Various locations)
- Benzinga Cannabis Capital Conference (Hollywood, FL, Apr 16-17)
- Hall of Flowers (Santa Rosa, CA, Sep 27-28)
- International Cannabis Business Conference (Various)
- Cannabis Science Conference (TBA)
- Emerald Conference (San Diego, CA, Apr 1-3)
- Spannabis (Europe, TBA)
Why sponsor? You’ll get face time with industry leaders, showcase products, and tap into new markets.
Quick Comparison:
| Event | Attendees | Focus | Cost Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| MJBizCon | 30,000+ | Business | $10k-$125k+ |
| CannaCon | 25,000+ | B2B | $7k-$60k |
| Hall of Flowers | 10,000+ | CA Market | $5k-$50k |
| Emerald Conference | 5,000+ | Science | $15k-$75k |
| Spannabis | 30,000+ | European Market | €5k-€50k |
Pick events that match your goals and budget. Create eye-catching booths, offer interactive experiences, and follow up on leads. With the right strategy, these sponsorships can be game-changers for your cannabis business.
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How We Chose These Events
We picked cannabis events that pack a punch for your marketing. Here’s our criteria:
Attendee Mix
We looked for events with a diverse crowd. Take MJBizCon: it pulls in over 30,000 people from growers to investors. That’s a goldmine for making connections across the industry.
Proven Success
Events with a solid track record got our attention. The ICBC in Berlin? It’s been a big deal in Europe for years. That kind of stability is good news for sponsors eyeing the European market.
Brand Spotlight
We favored events that let you show off your brand in multiple ways:
- Prime booth locations
- Speaking opportunities
- Logos plastered everywhere
Cannabis Europa, for example, offers branded lounges and main stage talks. That’s visibility you can’t ignore.
ROI
We did the math to make sure these events deliver. Here’s what counts:
| Factor | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Reach | More eyeballs on your brand |
| Networking | Quality time with potential clients |
| Leads | Actual business results |
| Media buzz | Exposure beyond the event |
The Benzinga Cannabis Capital Conference shines here. It connects sponsors with investors and entrepreneurs, setting the stage for real deals.
10 Top Cannabis Events for Sponsors in 2024
Want to get your cannabis brand noticed? Here’s the scoop on 2024’s hottest sponsorship events:
1. MJBizCon
The big kahuna of cannabis biz conferences. Happening December 3-6, 2024, in Las Vegas. 30,000+ attendees? You bet. Perfect for showing off your brand and rubbing elbows with industry bigwigs.
2. Cannabis Europa
Your ticket to the EU market. Network with the who’s who of European cannabis.
3. NECANN Convention Series
Multiple regional events. Great for local market penetration. 2024 dates:
- New York: October 25-26
- New Jersey: September 6-7
4. CannaCon
The B2B cannabis conference heavyweight. 800+ exhibitors, 25,000 attendees. Ideal for flaunting your latest tech and products.
5. Benzinga Cannabis Capital Conference
April 16-17, 2024, Hollywood, FL. All about cannabis finance and investment. Rub shoulders with investors and entrepreneurs.
6. Hall of Flowers
September 27-28, 2024, Santa Rosa, CA. B2B trade show for licensed California cannabis brands and retailers.
7. International Cannabis Business Conference (ICBC)
Go global. Network and sponsor on an international stage.
8. Cannabis Science Conference
Calling all research and healthcare companies in cannabis.
9. Emerald Conference
April 1-3, 2024, San Diego, CA. For the big players in analytical testing and extraction science.
10. Spannabis
Europe’s largest cannabis event. Reach consumers and cannabis culture enthusiasts en masse.
| Event | Date | Location | Focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| MJBizCon | Dec 3-6, 2024 | Las Vegas, NV | Business of Cannabis |
| Cannabis Europa | TBA | Europe | EU Market |
| NECANN NY | Oct 25-26, 2024 | New York | Regional Market |
| CannaCon | TBA | Various | B2B Networking |
| Benzinga Conference | Apr 16-17, 2024 | Hollywood, FL | Finance & Investment |
| Hall of Flowers | Sep 27-28, 2024 | Santa Rosa, CA | CA Brands & Retailers |
| ICBC | TBA | Various | Global Networking |
| Cannabis Science Conference | TBA | TBA | Research & Healthcare |
| Emerald Conference | Apr 1-3, 2024 | San Diego, CA | Testing & Extraction |
| Spannabis | TBA | Europe | Consumer & Culture |
From B2B to B2C, these events cover all corners of the cannabis world. Pick the ones that fit your brand’s vibe and target audience like a glove.
Comparing Sponsorship Options
Not all cannabis event sponsorships are equal. Here’s a breakdown to help you choose:
| Event | Cost Range | Audience | Benefits |
|---|---|---|---|
| MJBizCon | $10k – $125k+ | 30k+ | Biggest event, top networking |
| CannaCon | $7k – $60k | 25k+ | B2B focus, product showcase |
| Hall of Flowers | $5k – $50k | 10k+ | CA market, brand exposure |
| Emerald Conference | $15k – $75k | 5k+ | Scientific community, research |
| Spannabis | €5k – €50k | 30k+ | European market, consumers |
Costs to Consider:
- Portable displays: $700 – $15k
- Modular inline exhibits: $7k – $60k
- Custom island exhibits: $15k – $125k+
These are ballpark figures. Your actual costs? They’ll depend on what you need and how each event prices things.
ROI Example: Spend $10k on a display, make $17,520 in sales? That’s a 75.2% ROI. It’s a quick way to see if your sponsorship paid off.
Picking the Right Sponsorship:
- Match Your Goals: Choose events that fit your audience and what you want to achieve.
- Smart Budgeting: New to events? Start small. See returns? Then spend more.
- Get More Perks: Don’t just take what they offer. Ask for extras like speaking slots or email lists.
- Set Up for Success: Design an eye-catching booth. Bring plenty of marketing stuff to grab leads.
- Don’t Drop the Ball: Have a solid plan to follow up after the event. Turn those leads into customers.
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Getting the Most from Your Sponsorship
Want your cannabis event sponsorship to really pay off? Focus on these key areas:
Plan and Prepare
Set clear, measurable goals. Want 100 qualified leads? Or to boost brand awareness by 25%? Make it specific.
Create an event brief with:
- Goals and KPIs
- Target audience
- Budget breakdown
- Booth design and materials
- Staff roles
- Activities (before, during, and after)
Maximize Visibility
1. Custom Packages
Don’t settle for standard options. Work with organizers to create a package that fits YOUR goals.
2. Strategic Placement
Grab that prime booth spot or speaking slot. More eyes on you = more potential customers.
3. Digital Presence
Use event apps, social media, and digital signage. Extend your reach beyond your physical booth.
Create Memorable Experiences
Make your booth THE place to be:
- Interactive demos or games
- Cool photo ops
- Comfy seating and refreshments
- Engaging mini-workshops
Take a page from Planet 13‘s book at MJBizCon. They used a simple prize wheel that drew crowds and created buzz.
Capture and Nurture Leads
Use tech to collect info fast. Train your staff to engage and qualify leads effectively. Plan your follow-up BEFORE the event.
Measure and Analyze
Track your KPIs during and after. Use this data to calculate ROI and plan future sponsorships.
| Metric | How to Measure |
|---|---|
| Brand Exposure | Social media mentions, hashtag usage |
| Lead Generation | Number and quality of contacts collected |
| Sales Impact | Direct sales or pipeline value from the event |
| Networking | Meaningful conversations, partnerships formed |
Extend Your Impact
Create content at the event (photos, videos, interviews) to share. Host an after-party for key contacts. Follow up with leads ASAP.
Remember: A well-executed sponsorship can be a game-changer for your cannabis business. Make every moment count!
Wrap-up
Cannabis event sponsorships are a big deal. They help brands connect with their audience and stand out. Let’s recap our top 10 cannabis events for 2024:
MJBizCon: The big one. 35,000+ pros show up each year. If you’re serious, you need to be here.
Cannabis Europa and ICBC: Think global. Great for brands looking beyond borders.
NECANN Convention Series: Local focus. Good for targeting specific US markets.
CannaCon and Hall of Flowers: B2B heaven. Connect with retailers and distributors.
Benzinga Cannabis Capital Conference: Investor alert. This one’s for you.
Cannabis Science Conference and Emerald Conference: For the science crowd.
Spannabis: Business meets culture. Perfect for tapping into Europe.
When picking your sponsorships:
1. Know your goals: What does success look like?
2. Find your people: Choose events that match your target market.
3. Watch your wallet: Costs vary. At Cannabis Drinks Expo, you could spend $500 for a banner or $5,000 to be the star.
4. Stand out: Don’t just slap your logo everywhere. Create experiences.
5. Follow through: Have a plan for those leads after the event.
Cannabis sponsorships are changing fast. In 2018, a US pro sports team got its first cannabis sponsor. By 2020, CBD brands were sponsoring NWSL teams and PGA events. This trend? It’s not slowing down.
As you plan for 2024, keep your eyes open. New events pop up, rules change. The right sponsorship can be a game-changer, giving you networking, learning, and growth opportunities like nothing else in this wild industry.
Other Things to Think About
Planning your cannabis event sponsorships for 2024? Here’s what’s hot:
Digital ads open up: Google’s letting some hemp and CBD ads through. X (Twitter’s new name) is welcoming licensed cannabis companies – if you’ve got $15,000 to spend.
Sports are warming up: Remember when Las Vegas Lights FC broke the ice with a cannabis sponsor in 2018? Now, three National Women’s Soccer League teams are rocking CBD sponsors.
Check out these recent deals:
| Event/Organization | Sponsor | What’s Included |
|---|---|---|
| USL | Synchronicity | 4-year deal, stadium signs, social media |
| Farmers Insurance Open | PlusCBD Oil | Event booth |
| Bellator MMA | cbdMD | Renewed July 2020, fight features |
Election year shake-up: 2024 might bring big changes. Pennsylvania and Florida could join the legal cannabis club. Indiana’s putting legalization on the ballot.
Rescheduling on the horizon: The DEA might bump cannabis to Schedule 3 as early as April 19, 2024.
New event spots: Cannabis conferences are hitting the beach. South Florida’s becoming the place to be.
Going global: Keep your passport handy. Conferences in Bangkok, Barcelona, and Cape Town show cannabis is going worldwide.
The industry’s changing fast. Stay on your toes, watch for new events, and be ready to grab fresh chances to show off your brand.
FAQs
What is the largest cannabis Expo in the US?
NECANN’s New Jersey Cannabis Convention takes the crown as the biggest B2B cannabis event in the US. Here’s why it’s a big deal:
- It draws over 4,000 industry pros
- 200 companies show off their stuff
This expo is where the who’s who of cannabis meet:
- License holders
- Medical dispensaries
- Suppliers
- Investors
It’s THE place to network in the cannabis world.
Ricardo Baca, Grasslands agency founder, puts it this way:
"In cannabis, where brands don’t have the deepest access to the modern world’s most prominent advertising channels, event sponsorships are all the more important."
Bottom line? If you’re in cannabis, NECANN is where you need to be to get noticed and grow your business.
