The 2019 edition of Hall of Flowers was a pivotal moment for California’s legal cannabis industry. Described by some as the “Super Bowl for weed”, the Hall of Flowers team once again set a new standard for cannabis business events.
Expanding from last year’s footprint and featuring more than 100 of the best cannabis companies, the event spanned three exhibition halls as well as the outdoor area at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds. They also integrated two pop-up dispensaries which enabled guests to exchange coupons and a small dollar amount for samples of the licensed products. Consuming products on site was not only legal but highly encouraged.
Successfully curating many of California’s best cannabis brands, Hall of Flowers also did a good job of connecting buyers and press to quality companies. Similar to other major conferences, I was contacted by various PR companies about meeting their clients at the event. This scheduling made it a bit easier to meet and briefly connect.
At CannaCon, Indo Expo, MJBizCon and other major conventions, a majority of business moves are made on the exhibition floors as well as the surrounding areas that are included in the event. For Hall of Flowers, there was an electric vibe outside and a mild roar inside both halls. You could see people relaxing and enjoying the Spring sun while others relentlessly connected the dots person by person.
Although there wasn’t a dedicated meeting area away from the exhibition halls, the limited number of attendees helped keep wait times much lower than other cannabis conventions. You could connect with people outside but the music and surrounding excitement made things tough for details and introductions. Regardless, just about everywhere I turned, people were actively networking and creating new opportunities.
Featuring many of the most respected brands and professionals, Hall of Flowers 2019 provided a new echelon of value to the cannabis industry. Attendees were able to connect with award-winning brands such as Alien Labs, Cookies, Friendly Farms, Kurvana, Lowell Herb, Rove, Trees By Game, Connected Cannabis, Viola, Kurvana, and many others.
Notable speakers included Berner, Chelsea Handler, Gary Vaynerchuk, Jon Buscemi, Johnny Hundreds, as well as others with impressive backgrounds.
Exciting Things That Happened at Hall of Flowers
Hall of Flowers was the debut of Cookies Cookies, the edible company from rapper Berner’s lifestyle and cannabis brand. Cookies joined forces with California’s legendary Big Pete’s Treats to deliver a selection of top-notch unique edibles.
There was also a major global announcement for Shaboink, which is Post Malone’s new cannabis brand featuring flower, pre-rolls & vapes.
Celebrity jeweler Alex Todd expands his empire to include a premium cannabis company, complete with a signature blunt with rapper Jim Jones.
Rapper and Compton icon, The Game, launched a flower cannabis brand called Trees By Game. Music & fashion icon 2 Chainz also launched his flower & pre-rolls.
Another highly anticipated brand called Pantry launched too. This is a chef created, high-end, low-dose edibles brand from culinary icons The Franks
Vacation is a new brand of affordable flower and pre-rolls was launched by rockstars Sublime w/ Rome and Dirty Heads.
Hollyweed is a cannabis brand from Jesushands, the man behind turning the Hollywood sign into Hollyweed on New Years Day 2017
Sherbinski & Biscotti debut their collaborative brands featuring exclusive genetics and an Italian luxury designer feel.
