Bay Area California Cannabis Business Expo
Calling All Bay Area Ganjaprenuers!
Calling all folks of color who have historically been victimized by the War on Weed!
The California Cannabis Expo is right around the corner!
Now is the time to learn the ins and outs of the burgeoning marijuana industry, while making some righteous connections at the same time!
Check out the agenda below from The Marijuana Investor Summit Website and Sign-Up below!
The 2nd Annual Cannabis Business Expo, produced by MJIC Media and sponsored by Marijuana Investor Summit, is the leading forum in one of the fastest growing industries in the United States. This event is the focus for decision makers in the cannabis industry including; current business owners and managers, entrepreneurs starting a cannabis business, investors providing private equity & resources, and professional and business service providers. This year our expo moves from Colorado, the first state to legalize adult use marijuana to California – the largest legal cannabis market in North America.
At the California Cannabis Business Expo, educational sessions will be led by industry experts that have helped shape state, local, national and worldwide views on marijuana. These include Ethan Nadelmann, Rob Bonta, Fiona Ma, Bruce Barcott, Tom Lackey andEd Rosenthal among others. Click here to view updated speakers list.
When – March 3 – 5, 2016
Where – The California Cannabis Business Expo will take place at the Hilton Union Square in San Francisco. The expo, located in the Grand Ballroom, features 30,000 square feet of space all in one room for the best quality networking. Educational sessions for owners, operators and investors will take place in adjoining ballrooms with more than 24,000 square feet. Attendees will have access to private rooms with capacities ranging from 20 to 200 attendees for meetings, private events and presentations to further their specific business goals and objectives.
Why CA – Based on estimates by California NORML, there are now more than 750,000 and as many as 1,125,000 medical marijuana patients in California. The total estimated number of patients is 564,000 for all other states combined.
California is a hotbed for startup activity and now ranks as the most popular market for entrepreneurs starting marijuana companies. Kauffman Foundation estimates that 38% of the total U.S. venture capital and angel investment capital comes from the Bay Area. The California Cannabis Business Expo will significantly increase exposure for ALL participants wishing to gain access to capital – whether you are just starting out or funding large expansion of your existing business.
Truth is, there just is no better place to have a Cannabis Business Expo than California!
CCBE has top quality keynote speakers that have helped shape the new regulations for medical marijuana. Rob Bonta is a California assembly person that played a key part. Fiona Ma is with the California Board of Equalization which handles all tax collections in California (key piece of the regulation of cannabis). Hezekiah Allen is the founder and lead for both the California Growers Association and Emerald Triangle Growers. Ed Rosenthal will speak on Saturday and is possibly the most recognized name in cultivation of marijuana in the industry.
This area should be heavy focus for discussions with possible sponsors / exhibitors as the attendees will be a large base of BUYERS. They will need new infrastructure, new software, new technologies to compete. Cultivation is a HUGE piece of this – the cultivators are currently the largest source of income / sales for ancillary products from lights, construction, environmental, nutrients etc.
Who – The California Cannabis Business Expo attendees, exhibitors, sponsors and speakers will read like the “Who’s Who” in cannabis! Connect with corporate officers from publicly traded companies, management of the largest providers of ancillary products, owners / operators for cultivation/dispensary companies, qualified investment funds, private equity firms, family offices, leading angel investors, up and coming entrepreneurs, emerging brands, award winning infused product producers, expert service providers from accounting and legal firms – you name it and they will be here!
Key California and national groups including the Drug Policy Alliance, Marijuana Policy Project, California Growers Association,California Cannabis Industy Association, and Minority Cannabis Business Association are all actively participating and promoting to their members.
History – The first Marijuana Summit and Business Expo held in Denver in April of 2015 received accolades from all in attendance. The energy, networking, education and business created at our first show firmly placed this event as a leader in the industry. The California Cannabis Business Expo in San Francisco will be bigger, better and provide the highest quality networking and education held in the cannabis industry. Our goal is to be the BEST professional B2B event in the industry while providing the most value for each and every person that attends and participates.
MMRSA – MMRSA is the acronym for Medical Marijuana Regulation and Safety Act which establishes the framework that change the current medical marijuana industry in California into a regulated system under which licensees can operate as for profit businesses.
CCBE will have 20+ sessions featuring the most knowledgable industry experts that with a focus on how regulation will change the way current operators of all types function in the state of California and possibly the entire country. To become compliant, large amounts of capital are needed by operators as we upgrade the infrastructure needed to support our country’s fastest growing industry.
Medical Marijuana Regulations and Safety Act (MMRSA)
CCBE has top quality keynote speakers that have helped shape the new regulations for medical marijuana. Rob Bonta is a California assembly person that played a key part. Fiona Ma is with the California Board of Equalization which handles all tax collections in California (key piece of the regulation of cannabis). Hezekiah Allen is the founder and lead for both the California Growers Association and Emerald Triangle Growers. Ed Rosenthal will speak on Saturday and is possibly the most recognized name in cultivation of marijuana in the industry.
This area should be heavy focus for discussions with possible sponsors / exhibitors as the attendees will be a large base of BUYERS. They will need new infrastructure, new software, new technologies to compete. Cultivation is a HUGE piece of this – the cultivators are currently the largest source of income / sales for ancillary products from lights, construction, environmental, nutrients etc.
Media – We have partnered with leading media outlets to promote this event to cultivators, dispensary owners and other operators not only throughout California, but throughout the western U.S. Print advertising, social media, online news outlets with access to an audience of more than 3 million will be heavily promoting the California Cannabis Business Expo and in attendance at the event to capture lead stories in the industry.
Investors – A key to the event is the attendance of many of the largest investors in the industry and a large quantity of angel investors. They are at the show to learn about the industry opportunities. They have large holdings in the industry already – and are always on the look-out for how to leverage their investments with new products, suppliers and partners.
We will have in attendance investors that own and operate dispensaries, cultivation, manufacturing from every legal state in the country. Many of these investors come from large consultants and management companies that will be at the show looking to participate in the California market as it is now a for profit business in California.
Sessions and Activities for Investors, Start-ups and Emerging Growth Companies:
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@420 Pitch Our demo night will attract hundreds of the top local entrepreneurs and investors from the hottest start-up market in the country.
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CannaPitch IPO – We are going to be the FIRST to have companies pitching there Mini-IPO under the new JOBs Act that will allow emerging growth companies to raise up to $50M. This is where cannabis meets the crowd – accredited and non-accredited alike can participate and get in early.
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Private Accredited Investors Sessions – these sessions will feature lead investors building micro funds (Panther Model) as well as companies with a lead investor already that are in syndication.
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3 Days of educational and networking sessions
Network
The California Cannabis Business Expo is designed and planned to create
the ultimate experience for all that attend, speak and sponsor to connect and create connections. This year’s activities include –
Pro-Con Debate – Led by industry icon Ethan Nadlemann, this debate centers on how much (or little!) – our industry needs to be regulated and what are the best practices for local, state and federal government for both medical and adult recreational use.
After Party – all attendees on Friday can attend (at no additional charge!) our bash featuring Led Zepagain and House of Floyd – two amazing tribute bands. Watch for announcements of industry leaders and celebrities that will be here to pass out some awards and gifts to attendees.
Cocktail Receptions – Evening receptions held in the Expo hall open to all attendees with light appetizers are a smash with exhibitors and attendees alike.
Lunch Buffets – What better way to network than in the Expo Hall with lunch buffets? We surround out expo with tables for dining, networking and meeting throughout the day. Hope you won’t mind, but we don’t do box lunches and soggy sandwiches.
@420 Demo Night – We have partnered with WeedClub, the producer of @420 Pitch, to bring to our attendees the leading entrepreneurs and investors in San Francisco that participate in a quarterly event – @420 Pitch. This event regularly attracts as many as 400 local participants. Our space for this event will be limited to approximately 700 people so reserve your place now! This event has attracted many of the top early stage companies originating in the bay area including Meadow and Harvest. Investors will get an early look and access to companies NEVER seen at any other event in the country.
Click Below to Register!