The world, it seems, is finally back to business as usual. Traffic is heavy, stores and restaurants are busy, and we can see each other’s mask-less smiles again. It feels good. These sentiments were especially apparent at South CannaCon OKC in May. A step up from the August 2020 event, this CannaCon offered three times the number of booths and roughly 10,000 people in attendance each day. With my press pass in hand, I stepped through the entrance doors into a world of opportunity.
This convention brought in businesses from nearly every surrounding state, including some big hitters from pioneer states such as California and Colorado. The check-in line was efficient, and the inside of the Oklahoma City Convention Center was teeming with industry personnel. No matter what sector of the industry you were in, there were plenty of booths ripe for networking and creating valuable connections. Tons of giveaways, games, and candy were used to engage the crowds while a live podcast streamed the event. In addition to the booths, seminars were held upstairs. Whether learning something new or refreshing your education, a variety of speakers provided attendees with knowledge on subjects such as contaminants, lighting, extraction methods, and cannabis laws to name a few. Even the outdoor patio provided plenty of chances to connect and chat while taking a smoke break. Bringing the day to an end was the Relax Park afterparty across the street, where convention goers could step out of business mode and wind down at the end of each day. Making a star appearance was Jim Belushi of Belushi Farms and half of the famous duo, The Blues Brothers who performed Thursday night.
If you are in the cannabis industry, make sure to grab your ticket to the next CannaCon. It’s definitely one of the bigger networking events in the state.
Laine Durand
