Where Cannabis Business Happens: The Must-Attend Conferences for Retailers and Operators

In the rapidly evolving cannabis industry, trade shows and conferences remain critical junctions for discovery, deals, education, and networking. For business leaders, retailers, and ancillary service providers, knowing which conferences move the needle is a strategic imperative. Below is a curated list of major cannabis (and related hemp / CBD) trade shows and conferences to watch now and into 2026 — with emphasis on business, retail, and dealmaking opportunities.

MJBizCon

Often considered the “Super Bowl” of cannabis trade shows, MJBizCon is the largest cannabis business event globally. Scheduled for December 2–5, 2025 in Las Vegas, it draws tens of thousands of attendees from around the world and hosts hundreds of exhibitors.
MJBizCon serves as a one-stop marketplace spanning cultivation, processing, retail, packaging, compliance, financial services, and marketing. It offers deep programming with pre-show forums, educational tracks, networking lounges, state-takeover booths, and after-hours events.
For cannabis business professionals looking to scale operations, source new suppliers, or explore cross-state partnerships, MJBizCon remains an unmissable anchor in the annual calendar.

Website: mjbizconference.com

Cannabis Means Business (aka CWCB Expo)

Cannabis Means Business, formerly known as CWCB Expo, is a B2B conference and expo held in New York City. In 2025, the show is scheduled for June 3–5, with workshops, exhibition floors, and notable networking events.
CMB markets itself around curated buyer relationships, dealmaking, and cross-state growth strategies. It includes sessions focusing on cultivation best practices, packaging and branding, compliance, and distribution.
Because New York is shaping into a high-potential cannabis market post-legalization, a strong presence at CMB can yield early mover advantages for retailers, brands, and service providers targeting the Northeast corridor.

Website: cannabismeansbusiness.com

Hall of Flowers

Hall of Flowers is a premium, invite-only B2B cannabis trade show held in California. In 2025 it’s slated for March 19–20 in Ventura.
Unlike hyper-massive shows, Hall of Flowers emphasizes curated, quality relationships. It brings together 250+ brands and 1,000+ licensed retailers in a closed, trade-only environment.
One standout feature is on-site brand experiences and consumption zones (in permitted jurisdictions), allowing buyers and retailers to sample product form factors in a controlled environment.
For brands and retailers focused on the California and West Coast supply chain, Hall of Flowers is a must for deal flow, product launches, and differentiated packaging strategies.

Website: hallofflowers.com

NECANN (New England Cannabis Convention)

NECANN is a regionally focused, high-energy cannabis convention primarily active in the northeastern U.S. For example, NECANN Boston was held March 21–22, 2025.
It typically hosts over 300 exhibitors and draws thousands of attendees, combining educational programming, curated networking, marketplace floor access, and local market deep dives.
Because many Northeast states are in earlier stages of legalization or expansion, NECANN offers a chance for companies to plant flags, scout emerging territories, and engage with state regulators, retailers, and operators in mid-market regions.

Website: necann.com

CHAMPS Trade Shows

Though not cannabis-exclusive, CHAMPS Trade Shows is one of the largest counterculture, smoke shop, and headshop expos in the U.S. The Las Vegas edition occurs annually (e.g., February 12–15, 2025).
Its exhibitor base includes glassware, smoking accessories, novelty goods, vape technology, and lifestyle products. Many cannabis retailers and dispensaries use CHAMPS as a sourcing ground for ancillary goods.
For cannabis retail operations seeking to diversify product mix, merchandise the dispensary experience, or integrate accessories, CHAMPS remains a reliable procurement and trend-spotting platform.

Website: champstradeshows.com

Cannadelic / Cannabis Drinks & Emerging Category Events

As the cannabis market matures, niche verticals such as cannabis beverages, psychedelics + cannabis overlap, and functional THC are creating new show formats.

  • Cannabis Drinks Expo (Chicago, May 22–23, 2025) is a focused gathering of beverage producers, suppliers, packaging innovators, and regulatory stakeholders in the infused drink space.
  • Cannadelic Miami, combining cannabis and psychedelics, takes place May 23–24, 2025, and offers a blend of wellness, networking, education, and immersive branding formats.

These verticalized shows offer early-entry advantages into emergent submarkets, where distribution channels, regulatory frameworks, and consumer behavior are developing in real time.

Strategy Tips for Attending

  1. Prioritize trade-only and curated shows: These tend to yield better deal flow versus consumer expos.
  2. Map by geography & jurisdiction: For example, CMB for Northeast states, Hall of Flowers in the West, NECANN for regional focus.
  3. Use vertical niche events to test new product lines (e.g. drinks, edibles, tech).
  4. Pre-schedule meetings: Reach out in advance to buyers, investors, and partners using attendee lists or matchmaking platforms.
  5. Follow regulatory tracks: Conferences often host state takeovers or policy panels — crucial for compliance-aware growth.
  6. Mix large and boutique events: Giants like MJBizCon provide scale; more exclusive events like Hall of Flowers or CMB enable deeper conversations.

By combining broad-scale expos with regionally targeted and vertical niche events, cannabis marketers and retailers can maximize exposure, deepen relationships, and stay ahead of market dynamics.