The most recent Hall of Flowers event in Santa Rosa, CA, did not disappoint. Known as one of the cannabis industry’s premier trade shows, this gathering attracts the top brands, buyers, and influencers in the market. Historically, Hall of Flowers is more than just a place to showcase new products—it’s a cultural hub where cannabis innovation, culture, and business collide.
The reality at this year’s version of HoF was that consumers and the cannabis industry definitely came together in a more in-depth and personal way. Featuring the likes of Gary Payton, Tiffany Haddish, Wiz Khalifa, Dizzy Wright, and more, Hall of Flowers really showed out and went big for the 2024 edition of the show. Below is a recap of what went down at the 2024 Hall of Flowers Santa Rosa event.
Hall of Flowers Santa Rosa 2024 Recap
HoF once again solidified its place as one of the most influential gatherings in the cannabis industry. From intimate parties to the official two-day tradeshow experience, this year’s event was packed with exciting product launches, buyer and brand connections, and a new twist on consumer engagement.
Kicking things off the night before the official event, Respect My Region teamed up with Baked! to host a pre-party that set the tone for the tradeshow. This exclusive gathering known as Barn To Be Wild, featured cannabis brands like Top Shelf Cultivation, ABCDE extracts, and Rosin Tech, ancillary companies such as The Flavor Co. Sorting Robotics, Treez, Flowhub, and OCB, plus our friends at Freedom Grow and Cannabiscapes. The event was a perfect warm-up for the tradeshow and a few afterparties that were also an amazing time. The pre-party buzz carried into Day 1 of Hall of Flowers, where attendees were eager to see what the leading brands had in store.
Day 1: Brands, Buyers, and Bold New Products
Day 1 of Hall of Flowers is always about business, and this year was no different. The show floor buzzed with activity as brands and buyers came together to discuss the future of cannabis. We were blessed to link up with Gary Payton over at the Green Label Rx booth but unfortunately timing for an interview didn’t work out, plus I wasn’t wearing my GP Supersonics jersey. #NotReady
Leafly’s Head Editor is a gentleman named David Downs and let me tell you folks, the man his creative and loves cannabis. He came up with a unique packaging activation that was in partnership with Grove Bags and it showed the history and creativity of different cannabis brands and their products. I am someone who holds onto packaging for way too long and some of the mylar bags that were on display really hit home for me when I saw them.
After conducting numerous interviews, the day concluded with an exclusive dinner hosted by CCell, Treez, and Budist. Together these three powerhouses came together to offer buyers and brands an intimate setting for key players in the industry to connect and unwind after a long day of wheeling and dealing.
Some of the most impressive product showcases during the day came from brands that continue to push boundaries in cannabis innovation:
- Joyabis wowed attendees with their impressive bulk indoor flower.
- Wham! showed off their premium indoor cannabis in collaboration with platinum artist Lil Baby.
- Space Gem, known for its solventless ice water hash edibles, sampled out award-winning gummies
- Oakfruitland showed off their exotic flower, solidifying their reputation as one of the top cultivators.
- Compound Genetics once again brought eye-catching genetics that buyers were eager to try.
- Khalifa Kush drew considerable attention, showcasing products that live up to the name’s hype.
- Heights indoor flower was some of the best we’d ever seen, showing they continue to improve.
Day 2: Consumers and Budtenders Join the Fun
A first for Hall of Flowers, Day 2 welcomed consumers and budtenders—a move that brought a fresh energy to the event. Traditionally reserved for industry insiders, this year’s show allowed everyday cannabis enthusiasts to experience the innovations firsthand. Budtenders, the backbone of consumer education in dispensaries, were especially excited to be included, gaining first-hand knowledge they could take back to their stores.
The consumer-focused day wasn’t just about product displays. Hall of Flowers went all out to create a fun and interactive environment. Attendees were able to buy cannabis at discounted prices, at least compared to usual dispensary/delivery prices, and they were able to consume outside all over the fairgrounds.
A carnival-style area kept the energy high, featuring a ferris wheel, swings, a giant slide, and an enclosed circular area where dirtbikes zoomed in every direction.
Non-cannabis vendors were also present, rounding out the experience with a festival-like atmosphere that felt more like a carnival than a tradeshow at times. This new consumer day saw it’s own challenges I’m sure, but overall it felt like it was a huge success that added a layer of excitement and engagement that could easily become a permanent feature of future Hall of Flowers events.
This year’s event may be over, but the impact will be felt throughout the industry in the months to come.
Even though I got to meet GP again and interview Dizzy Wright, one of my favorite rappers from 2012-2015, smoking joints on the swings with the dispensary whisperer Chelsea Mulligan was the highlight of the event.
Now before we get you guys out of here and on with your day, I also rounded up some feedback about Hall of Flowers that came straight from my LinkedIn post.
See you all again next year!
