Expand Your Network and Feed Your Knowledge at These CBD Conferences in 2020

CBD has burst onto the mainstream landscape for all things related to health, wellness and fitness.

As an industry that harbors serious potential for business owners, investors and consumers alike, it’s not surprising that this year’s event schedule is brimming with CBD conferences.

Cannabidiol (CBD) is a non-psychoactive derivative – better known as a “cannabinoid” – of the cannabis plant. It is being used in innovative ways to promote general health and wellbeing in the form of products like CBD-infused edibles, drinks, topical solutions, vape juices, tinctures, and even bath bombs!

So diverse are CBD’s product offerings that the cannabinoid has been welcomed with open arms by celebrities, athletes, and major corporate retail chains, including Walgreens, Rite Aid, CVS, Ulta Beauty, GNC Holdings, and Urban Outfitters.

Whether you are a business owner who wants to meet like-minded professionals or a hungry consumer keen to learn about the bountiful benefits of this multi-purpose plant-derived compound or the cannabis industry in general, attending a CBD conference is a surefire way to notice and get noticed.

Why Should You Attend CBD Conferences in 2020?

As a fairly newly discovered cannabinoid – not in terms of its actual discovery back in 1940, but more so its therapeutic effects – many people are still unaware of the potential that this cannabis-derived chemical possesses.

By attending a CBD conference, you can learn about this cannabinoid’s many uses and even get the chance to attract investors who may be interested in what your brand has to offer.

In addition to engaging with thought leaders and innovators at CBD conferences, these events can also present consumers and business owners with the following benefits:

1. Share and learn new information.

Networking is a major aspect of CBD conferences, with many industry professionals marking the all-important date of such events in their schedules. And why wouldn’t they?

Rubbing shoulders with experts in your niche could help mold the foundation for future long-term partnerships or, at the very least, get your brand name out there. Since relationship-building is so important for gaining a positive reputation, you should take this time to mingle with fellow attendees and establish new connections.

2. Browse a fresh range of products and services.

Based on data pulled from Marketing Charts in 2015, conferences and trade shows are one of the top three sources that buyers seek out when they are researching a vendor’s services and products. On that note, you can consider a CBD conference an opportunity to window shop. An event of this kind will likely feature demonstrations of soon-to-be launched product lines, meaning that you’ll be one of the first people to see or try them.

3. Indulge social media followers with industry updates.

Did you know that 58% of marketers use social media platforms to inform their audiences before, during and after their conferences? With 3.5 billion people using a smartphone today, social media provides bountiful opportunities to show people what you’re up to.

This is incredibly relevant if you’re a CBD influencer or simply if you want to show people how much you love CBD. You could even ask about affiliate opportunities from the featured vendors and include links in a blog to capitalize on the new connections you make. Each time a social media follower buys from your affiliate link, you will earn a commission.

4. Generate leads and attract new customers.

If you’re a business owner attending a CBD conference, you should know by now that a business without leads is destined to fail. Approximately 68% of marketers use conferences to generate sales leads, according to AdStage. By capitalizing on the exposure you’re sure to gain at a CBD conference, there’s a good chance you’ll bag a few new clients/customers once the event comes to an end.

Handing out business cards to fellow attendees is an effective way to get your name out there. What’s more, many CBD conferences welcome exhibitor sign-ups, so you can use this platform to market your products.

Get Inspired at the Best CBD Conferences for 2020

You can consider CBD conferences a fun day (or few days) out. They present attendees with a chance to network, gain a platform for exposure and immerse themselves in an educational feast.

These types of events have even started branching out to offer multiple ticket tiers and multi-day options for attendees, so there really is an opportunity for everyone. Hosted in sublime settings, many of the best CBD conferences around the world are graced by consumers, industry experts, politicians and even celebrities.

Tickets for global CBD conferences are already selling like hotcakes this year, so what are you waiting for? Highlighted below are a few of the most popular CBD events worth attending in 2020:

American CBD Expo 

From February 21-23, the American CBD Expo will be in full swing at the San Jose Convention Center in San Jose, CA. The CBD conference presents thousands of attendees with brand-building opportunities in a broad spectrum of sectors such as beauty products, health and wellness, oils, pet care, tinctures, and topicals. Some of the event’s main categories of interest include educational seminars, legal seminars, investment seminars, cultivation seminars, and more. Selling and buying opportunities will also be available at the American CBD Expo, making this CBD conference appeal to a diverse audience.

CannaCon 

CannaCon Northwest in Tacoma ran from January 10-11 but don’t worry… you still have time to attend one of the other expo locations:

• April 2-3, CannaCon Midwest, Detroit, MI
• May 29-30, CannaCon South, Oklahoma
• July 17-18, CannaCon Midwest, Chicago, IL
• August 29-30, CannaCon Northeast, Boston, MA

More than 800 exhibitors can get a spot at CannaCon, which lures in over 25,000 attendees every single year. The cannabis and CBD conference is acknowledged as the nation’s largest B2B exhibition and trade show of its kind. Entrepreneurs are invited to feed their knowledge on CBD industry legalities and happenings at CannaCon, where exhibitors showcase a range of fresh technologies in different segments of the industry, including cultivation and extraction.

Cannatech Tel Aviv 

As a pioneer in medical cannabis research, it’s not surprising that Israel hosts one of the world’s most acclaimed cannabis-focused conferences. The prestigious event takes place in Tel Aviv and is attended by startup CBD companies, medical experts, investors, and entrepreneurs, to name a few. This year marks the annual event’s fifth anniversary, so you can bet that it will be bigger and better than ever before. Dates for Cannatech Tel Aviv 2020 have been confirmed as March 31-April 2.

MJBizConNEXT 

Want to get the inside scoop on what’s happening next in the CBD industry? Make sure you’re free from June 3-4 and head to Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans, LA. No other CBD conference presents attendees with industry insights quite like MJBizConNEXT. A broad scope of people – including cannabis cultivators, extractors, innovators, thought leaders and business executives – are anticipated to attend the CBD event, which will be co-located with the Hemp Industry Daily Conference. Speakers and show floor experiences are yet to be announced.

USA CBD Expo 

Fancy attending the nation’s largest CBD event? Make an appearance at the USA CBD Expo. Product samples can be enjoyed from over 3,000 vendors; many of whom will also be demonstrating the most recent industry innovations. In 2020, it was held at the Las Vegas Convention Center from February 13-15. The inaugural CBD conference took place in Miami, FL, in summer 2019, but this year it hit Sin City.

USA CBD Expo is one of the best CBD conferences to learn about the genetic diversity of different CBD-rich hemp strains. PureKana was 2020’s presenting sponsor and teamed up with MONTKUSH for the production of an unscripted television show focused on the hemp industry.  

US Hemp Expos 2020 

Whether you’re a vendor or exhibitor, you’re invited to attend the US Hemp Expos, a range of events uniting professionals and CBD fanatics in locations like Colorado, Minnesota, New York, Oregon, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, and Wisconsin. Attendees are indulged with everything they need to know about hemp and CBD at these conferences.

Upcoming:

• May 3-5, Buffalo, NY
• November 8-11, Las Vegas, NV

Southern and Western dates are coming soon.

Past:

• February 2-4, San Juan, PR
• February 23-25, Bloomington MN

International Cannabis Business Conference (ICBC)

This international conference, held in San Francisco, California, has already passed for 2020 — it was held February 6-7 — it’s a great event to keep in mind for next year. This is the longest-running B2B event related to the cannabis industry in California, known for featuring a blend of education, industry insight, policy, and entertainment. While it’s more generally dedicated to the cannabis business and not just CBD, there are individual sessions focused on CBD sprinkled throughout.

The conference also has several international sessions, with the following locations:

• March 12, Barcelona, Spain
• April 1-3, Berlin, Germany
• May 13-14, Bern, Switzerland
• September 10-11, Vancouver, Canada

Asian Hemp Summit 2020 

This CBD conference might have already taken place this year, but it’s certainly worth adding to your calendar for next year. The Asian Hemp Summit 2020 was a huge success, uniting private hemp enthusiasts, CBD retailers, environmental groups, politicians, stakeholders, CBD development agencies, and consumers from various countries around the world. With Asia boasting a fairly new and rapidly expanding market, some fascinating ideas were shared at this recently held CBD conference.

Athens Cannabis Expo 2020 

Another CBD conference that has already taken place this year – and is equally as worthy of adding to your schedule for next year – was held in Athens from January 10-12. The primary goal of the Athens Cannabis Expo is to educate the general public about the various CBD products and innovations currently suffused throughout the existing medical and industrial markets. Attendees are invited to browse industrial products and services, including cosmetics, medical products, seeds, cocktails, clothing, vaporizers and, of course, CBD.

IECSC 

Ever wondered how to use CBD in skin care formulas? If so, venture to the Javits Convention Center in New York from March 8-10. Here, you’ll be fed with a healthy dose of knowledge about the science that goes into the production of topical CBD solutions. Since the non-psychoactive cannabinoid is becoming an extremely popular ingredient in topical CBD products, thousands of people are anticipated to cluster inside the convention center for this CBD conference. You can sign up online to attend IECSC.

HEMPFEST 

The Seattle HEMPFEST is fast approaching its 28th year. Prospective attendees for 2020 will be thrilled to learn that there will be nonstop music and speaker discussions spread across three stages. In addition to this, HEMPFEST will present crowds with tantalizing CBD-infused dishes, crafts, educational vendors, and more than 400 art displays.

Described as “the most sophisticated and socially responsible cannabis rally in history,” the premier flagship event of global cannabis culture will also feature keynote speakers, press conferences and panel discussions. It is one of the few CBD conferences with a political focus. At previous events, former U.S. Congressman Dennis Kucinich and Dana Rohrabacher and actor Woody Harrelson have spoken to excited audiences. HEMPFEST 2020 will be hosted at Myrtle Edwards Park in Seattle, WA from August 14–16, 2020

NECANN 

Are you a cannabis cultivator who wants to put his or her growing techniques to test? If so, this CBD conference is not to be missed. The New England Cannabis Convention (NECANN) will entertain crowds in various locations this year:

• March 20-22, Boston, MA
• April 3-4, Chicago, IL , on
• May 30-31, Burlington, VT
• June 20-21, Springfield, MA
• September 11-12, Atlantic City, NJ
• October 10-11, Portland, ME

CBD Global Summit 

Since the United Kingdom’s CBD industry is taking over in a big way, it’s not surprising that one of the world’s biggest CBD conferences is set to take place in London from March 16-17. A brand boom has surfaced in the U.K. amidst the growth of the CBD market, but many are faced with supply issues and regulatory qualms. The CBD Global Summit – a joint effort between CosmeticsDesign, FoodNavigator, NutraIngredients, and The Grocer – promises two full days of discussions about industry regulations, consumer insights, and the all-important scientific aspect associated with CBD product development. Crowds will congregate inside Park Plaza Victoria to learn about the rapid rise of the CBD sector.

CBD Expo 

From April 17-18 at Hilton Houston North in Houston, TX, is the eagerly anticipated CBD Expo. This two-day CBD conference blends networking opportunities with presentations, product demonstrations and discussions about regulatory compliance. Attendees can browse product and research developments from more than 200 exhibitors, as well as participate in CBD-focused activities.

Global Pet Expo 

Animals have an endocannabinoid system (ECS) inside their bodies, just like us humans. With a network of cannabinoid receptors concealed beneath their furry coats, there are plenty of opportunities for pets to try CBD, too. The Global Pet Expo – the pet industry’s largest annual trade show – is presented by the American Pet Products Association (APPA) and Pet Industry Distributors Association (PIDA). As CBD-based pet products grow in popularity, this expo could be a good opportunity for CBD exhibitors to have a presence. Members of the APPA and PIDA are encouraged to register as an exhibitor. The event is coming up fast and will run from February 26-28 in Orlando, FL, and will feature over 3,000 product launches spread across 16 football fields.

Spannabis 

This year’s Spanish CBD conference will be held in conjunction with the 8th edition of the World Cannabis Conferences. A unique spin on the famous annual event, Spannabis 2020 will see medical, political and scientific experts rub shoulders to discuss the plant’s myriad uses. The event has been taking place in the smoker’s hotspot of Barcelona – where more than 300 cannabis clubs meld into the city landscape – since 2002. Over 500 exhibitors will captivate as many as 50,000 visitors from March 13-15, 2020 at Fira de Cornellà, Cornellà de Llobregat, Spain.

Cannabis World Congress & Business Expo 

Attend, become a 2020 speaker, or exhibit your products at this prestigious CBD conference. The aim of this CBD conference is to help strengthen the industry at large, in addition to educating the general public and stimulating legalization efforts. A variety of products will be on offer, such as grow lights, hemp products, inventory tracking, paraphernalia, tinctures, topicals and vaporizers.

Highly qualified professionals and entrepreneurs are encouraged to attend either (or all) of these conferences, which will represent various facets of the cannabis and hemp industries; including consulting services, delivery services, dispensaries, cultivation, production, law enforcement, retail, smokeshops/headshops and private equity firms.

The Cannabis World Congress & Business Expo will be held in three locations across the U.S.:

• May 28-30, New York
• September 16-17, Los Angeles
• October 21-22, Boston.

Natural Products Expo East 

Don’t make any other plans from September 23-26, because this is when one of the most exciting CBD conferences for networking will be held in Philadelphia, PA. Natural Products Expo East will entice attendees to Pennsylvania Convention Center, where each day will present something unique. You can expect to meet CBD food developers, product innovators and budding entrepreneurs at the annual affair, which also offers exhibitor opportunities.

Lucky Leaf Expo 

Taking place in various locations over a handful of different dates, this hemp, cannabis, and CBD conference will showcase health and wellness products, scientific discoveries/methods, start-up CBD companies, hemp cultivation practices, branding basics, policy reform education, and business strategies to attendees. The Lucky Leaf Expo will be held in the following U.S. locations:

• May 29-30, Irving, TX
• July 31-Aug 1, Austin, TX
• November 6-7, Houston, TX
• October 2-3, Albuquerque, NM

China International Hemp Industry Forum 2020 

Although cannabis is illegal in China, the Asian country has taken a liking to the CBD industry. So much so, in fact, that the largest CBD conference of its kind is set to take place in Harbin, Heilongjiang Province from March 3-4. This fertile province is one of the biggest hemp cultivation places on the planet, home to approximately 74,000 acres of hemp.

Expect to see influential figures talking about research, market data and business opportunities at this CBD conference in China. Numerous acclaimed organizations support the China International Hemp Industry Forum, including Harbin Pharmaceutical Group, the Heilongjiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences and Kingdom Holdings Limited.

Cannabizz Conference Warsaw 2020 

If you are lucky enough to be in Warsaw, Poland during the last weekend of November 2020, you simply must check out the Cannabizz Conference. A CBD conference like no other, this annual Polish event initially launched back in 2017. Since that time, Poland’s CBD industry has undergone rapid development.

Industry players are invited to attend the event, which will also appeal to individuals who are keen to network, learn about indoor gardening and/or collect plant paraphernalia. Exhibitors who want to get noticed by potential investors in the European market can reap the rewards of signing up to promote their brand at Cannabizz, a CBD event that will be spread across 10,000 square meters of exposition space. Since the 2020 affair is expected to be the biggest event of its kind in Polish history, it’s understandable why so many professionals choose to mingle at Cannabizz!

O’Cannabiz Conference & Expo

From April 23-25 in Toronto, Ontario, you’ll find Canada’s largest cannabis business conference and expo. Keynote speakers include Olivia Newton-John, professional soccer player, trainer, and coach Rachael Rapinoe, Dragon’s Den judge Michele Romanow, and Master Chef champion Shaun O’Neale. Considered one of the best cannabiz networking events in Canada, you won’t want to miss this action-packed event.

How Can I Get the Most Out of a CBD Conference?

Everyone who attends a CBD conference will likely be seeking out a solution to a problem, like relief for a skin condition, products for self-improvement, or perhaps even a collaboration that would benefit yours and someone else’s brand.

Statistics published by EventMB in 2018 tells us that conference attendees have various priorities around why they decide to make an appearance: 82% for networking purposes, 71% to learn something new, 38% seek out entertainment, 37% are interested in self-improvement, and 16% want a break from the office!

It is worth noting what you’re hoping to learn from attending CBD conferences. By writing a list, you can make sure all of your questions are answered and you are brimming with fresh information. Taking this into account – as well as the following preparation tips – will ensure your experience at a CBD conference is a hit from the very start:

1. Establish goals in advance of the event.

Take a moment to figure out what you want to gain from attending a CBD conference. Some of the most common goals that business owners will have when preparing for a CBD conference include generating sales leads, building brand awareness, and getting inspiration from a new range of products. For consumers, CBD events and expos present an opportunity to mingle and learn and, depending on the type of conference, even gain career advice or find a job!

2. Monitor pre-event engagement.

Social media is an incredibly useful tool for creating pre-event engagement, with statistics from 2018 showing that 89% of conference organizers utilize various social media platforms for pre-event engagement. What’s more, 49% use social networking to engage attendees while the event is happening, 38% use it to garner feedback, and 13% use it to interact with speakers during educational sessions.

The best CBD event organizers will stir up some excitement beforehand on platforms like Instagram, Facebook and Twitter, so be on the lookout for updates and opportunities to engage with other people online ahead of attending a CBD conference.

Conclusion

To sum up, it is entirely possible for professionals, start-up entrepreneurs, and potential consumers all to reap the rewards of attending CBD conferences. From curious consumers and budding “cannapreneurs” to experienced marketers and innovative investors, a CBD conference can yield significant results for everybody involved. Start building pre-conference buzz now with a helping hand from BigCommerce.

Our unique platform can be utilized to build and automate Facebook ads and targeted email campaigns that will get your CBD conference noticed. BigCommerce’s team of ecommerce experts are committed to providing support, growth strategies and the necessary tools to magnify your online presence. Find out more here.

This material does not constitute legal, professional or financial advice and BigCommerce disclaims any liability with respect to this material. Please consult your attorney or professional advisor on specific legal, professional or financial matters.