While the nation was shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic, organizers of the Northern California trade show, Hall of Flowers, held onto the value of face-to-face connections through the creation of Engage.
While we’re all glad to see the past months of isolation and illness wrapping up, we must admit that even the pandemic had some silver linings: cannabis was declared an essential business in several states; we all learned to value of our health and freedom to roam; and the virtual world of communication blossomed in unexpected ways.
Even as the nation gradually opens up, Engage remains a valuable platforms for cannabis businesses of all sizes.
According to Hall of Flowers team member Aengus Cawley, they realized that through “virtual matchmaking” they could help connect like-minded brands and retailers so that everyone could continue to grow while the nation was shut down.
The main question posed was, “Would the virtual connections lack the cultural and discovery components that a physical show offers?” To counter those losses, the Engage crew supplemented the new format with weekly mailers about new brands and events on Clubhouse.
Each session lasts only 15 minutes, but as Biko’s founder and CEO Timeka Drew discovered, you can fit a whole lot into a short amount of time if you are prepared.
Drew admits that just as she was feeling nervous before it started, a text came through from the Engage tech support team saying they were there to help.
Biko, which offers premium whole flower pre-rolls, was chosen to be one of three companies that received equity grants allowing them to join The Hall of Flowers Engage event at no charge.
For retailers, there is no fee to enter.
Harborside, one of California’s oldest and largest cannabis dispensary chains, participated in Engage for their third time.
For many brands, this is a rare opportunity, especially for smaller companies with a limited budget.
Engage has given emerging brands the opportunity to get in front of top-notch retailers across California.
The Hall of Flowers events have been epic in the past – always a great way for the cannabis community to come together and do business while having some fun.