June 4 - 5, 2025
Javits Convention Center
East Side Trio, Networking Mixer, NY 2022

How to Create an Impressive Trade Show Booth 

Exhibiting at a trade show is an excellent opportunity for cannabis businesses to showcase their products and services and connect with potential customers and partners. But with so many exhibitors alongside you, it can be tough to stand out from the crowd. If you want to make an impression with a trade show booth that other attendees won’t soon forget, follow these great tips.

1. Focus on a theme

A well-executed theme can help you to stand out from the crowd and make a memorable impression on attendees. Choose a theme and use it to guide your design and messaging. Remember that attendees are often busy, so be direct and to the point to ensure that your brand is communicated effectively. 

 

For example, you might choose the theme of “health and wellness” to promote the therapeutic benefits of your products. A booth with this theme might incorporate aspects like calming colors, comfortable seating, and even interactive elements like aromatherapy or a meditation area. Messaging could focus on the medicinal benefits of cannabis products and the importance of self-care, with branded giveaways that attendees can use at home during their own self-care routines.

2. Consider your design and space

Create a trade show booth that’s both visually impressive and functional. The design of your booth should reflect your brand and products or services, while also being visually appealing and easy to navigate. 

 

For example, if your business specializes in high-quality, environmentally friendly edibles, you might choose a theme highlighting the ingredients and craftsmanship of your products. You could use wooden crates or baskets to display your products and natural, earthy tones to emphasize the relationship between your product and the plant. 

3. Make it interactive

Creating an interactive booth experience is a great way to draw foot traffic over to your booth and kick-start that initial conversation about your company. Interactive elements can include hands-on product demos, promotions like raffles or prize wheels, or games that tie into your brand or products. By offering a fun and engaging experience, you can increase the amount of time attendees spend at your booth and give yourself additional opportunities to discuss your products and services.

 

For example, a cannabis testing lab could create a virtual reality (VR) experience that simulates a cannabis testing facility. Attendees could wear a VR headset and interact with a digital environment that showcases the company’s facilities and services. A fun and unique experience like this is sure to be the talk of the show floor too, directing other attendees to come to your booth and try it out!

4. Create buzz with cool giveaways

Offering cool, branded swag is a great way to create buzz and draw attention to your trade show booth. Swag items can range from simple giveaways like branded pens or stickers to more unique items like rolling papers or portable chargers. To make your swag stand out, consider offering items that align with your brand messaging or products. 

 

 

For example, if your business focuses on cannabis-infused beverages, you could offer branded tumblers or bottle openers, so the next time attendees are having a refreshing drink they think of your brand. Here are some other examples of cool swag items to consider: 

 

 

  • Customized lighters 
  • Branded tote bags or backpacks 
  • Phone chargers or power banks with your logo 
  • Branded candles or incensed 
  • Cannabis-themed socks or hats 

Giveaways that are visible on the show floor, like tote bags or hats, are especially effective for getting your brand seen by other attendees.

5. Connect with attendees on a personal level

At the end of the day, people do business with people – not machines. While incorporating cool tech and interactive activities is an effective way to draw people in, it’s still vital to connect on a personal level to truly make a lasting impression. Make sure that your booth staff is friendly, engaging, and knowledgeable about your brand and what it has to offer. Make eye contact, offer a firm handshake, and engage in genuine conversation with booth visitors! By focusing on the human element of it all, you can create a memorable experience that goes beyond just a flashy display.

 

 

What about turnkey booths?

 

 

While some exhibitors prefer full control over their booth display, many others opt for turnkey booths to eliminate the upfront work and focus on other efforts instead. A turnkey booth is a pre-built, fully equipped exhibit space that is paid for and ready to go when you arrive at a show. These booths typically include all the essential components such as walls, lighting, carpeting, and furniture – making it easy for exhibitors to simply show up and start promoting their business. CWCBExpo offers turnkey booths for exhibitors – inquire with us for the next show!

 

 

Your booth is a hit — now what? 

 

 

Attracting people to your trade show booth is just the first step for a successful event. Once you’ve captured someone’s attention, it’s important to make the most of your time by engaging with attendees and building relationships that can lead to future business opportunities. Here are some ways to do just that: 

 

 

  • Be approachable: Stand up, smile, and make eye contact to create a welcoming atmosphere. This will encourage attendees to approach your booth and start a conversation. It’s a good idea to look up and forward, and not look down at your phone, during quiet periods.
  • Leverage social media: Show off your booth on social media and invite others to engage with your company online. This is a great way to extend your reach beyond the trade show and increase your brand’s visibility.  
  • Collect contact info: Use a tablet, trade business cards, create a QR code, or offer a sign-up sheet to collect contact info from potential leads. This will allow you to follow up with attendees after the event and continue building relationships with potential clients or customers. 
  • Follow up: Reach out to leads after the event via email, Linkedin, or other communication channels. This is a crucial step in solidifying relationships with potential customers and converting leads into actual deals.  
  • Network with other exhibitors: If you have a team to operate the booth, take turns walking the floor and introducing yourself to other exhibitors to build new industry relationships. You can also schedule meetings during the show and attend panel discussions or Q&As.
  • Attend post-networking events: Participate in post-trade show events to network and build connections with attendees and exhibitors outside of the exhibition hall. Post-show events are a great way to catch up with people you met during the show and reinforce that first impression.

Bring home a Best of CWCBExpo Award for your unforgettable booth

Ready to put these tips into action? This year at CWCBExpo, your booth could be nominated for a Best of CWCBExpo Award. Unleash your creativity for the chance to be voted the winner of one of six booth superlatives, including:

 

  • Best Large Booth
  • Best Small Booth
  • Best Product Display
  • Most Interactive Booth
  • Most Unique Booth
  • Best Booth Swag

Not exhibiting at CWCBExpo but still want to get in on the fun? If you see a booth you want to vote for in one of these six categories, simply take a photo of it and post it to Instagram with the superlative you chose in the caption — and don’t forget to tag @cwcbexpo as well. Winners will be announced Saturday, June 3 during the final day of the show, and each will receive a framed certificate commemorating their unforgettable booth!

Bring your best to CWCBExpo

CWCBExpo is the premiere trade show for cannabis companies looking to showcase their brands and network with other industry professionals. With the show right around the corner, it’s time to start prepping your booth, designing your swag, and perfecting your pitch. Whether you’re a first-time exhibitor or an experienced vet, following these tips will help you to stay ahead of the curve and make meaningful connections. 

Expo Floor, LA 2015

Post-Show Newsletter May/June 2022

CWCBExpo Helps to Build East Coast Cannabis Market

CWCBExpo New York 2022 highlighted industry icons, trail blazers, visionaries,
The Honorable Mayor Eric Adams, and The Office of Cannabis Management
at its 8th Annual conference and expo at the Javits Center.

CWCBExpo Seminar Audience, June 2022
CWCBExpo Floor, June 2022
Show Floor Highlights

Exhibitors, sponsors, attendees and speakers networked on the show floor and at after-hour events, keeping the business discussions going and flowing.

Education Pavilion

Continuing the commitment to support education, the show floor featured an environment for those colleges that have cannabis curricula to exhibit their offerings. This show floor feature has helped to further tear down the stigma of cannabis and help highlight the most progressive learning opportunities. Many of these colleges are seeking to attract and partner with exhibiting companies and business owners who were at CWCBExpo to educate their workforces and communities.

Education Pavilion, June 2022

Women Grow Pavilion

In keeping with helping to build the marketplace and industry, the Women Grow Pavilion featured 30 entrepreneurs who are leading female-owned cannabis-related businesses who exhibited their new products and innovations.

Women Grow Pavilion, June 2022

Proud Mary Lounge

We proudly celebrated Pride Month with the Proud Mary Lounge. Co-founded by Brie Brewer, Proud Mary advocates for LGBTQ+ inclusion in the cannabis industry. Proud Mary exhibited for the first time ever in a cannabis trade show and created the Proud Mary Lounge where everyone was welcome to relax and network in an inclusionary environment.

Proud Mary Lounge, June 2022

She Blaze Podcast

Hosted by Dasheeda Dawson and Ice Dawson, the award winning podcast went live from the show floor and interviewed our exhibitors, attendees and speakers.

She Blaze Podcast, June 2022
Conference Highlights

Headliners, Keynotes, and Roundtables

The conference was kicked off with an informative industry update, “Trends and Opportunities in Marijuana and Hemp,” presented by Amanda Reiman, Vice President Policy Research, New Frontier Data. It was a great start to the first-day’s theme which was focused on investment.

Amanda Reiman, June 2022

The two investment-focused roundtables were presented with trailblazers and pioneers in the industry. One was, “Roundtable: Investors – Weed Meets Wall Street.” 

 

Business leaders included: Terry Booth, CEO, Audacious/Australis Capital (AUSA); Steve Abraham, Head of Corporate Development and Investor Relations, The Blinc Group; Jay Czarkowski, Founding Partner, Canna Advisors; Chip Daniels, Founder, State Stox Group; moderated by Carl Cameron, Journalist.

Weed Meets Wall Street Session, June 2022

The other roundtable was, Beverages – Where is the Greenest Grass Growing and Flowing?” with industry business leaders: Tracy Mason, Co-Founder and CEO, House of Saka; Ron Shapira, CFA, Founder, Mosaic Advisory Partners; Ken VandeVrede, CEO Hillview Med; moderated by Christopher Smith, American Cannabis Report.

 

 

 

The attendees were captivated with the discussion about the future that beverages and cannabis have and how it can flourish.

Beverages Session, June 2022

CWCBExpo New York continued our Keynote, “In Conversation With…” series with Weedmaps CEO, Chris Beals, who spoke with Mona Zhang, States Cannabis Policy Reporter, Politico. They spoke to a packed audience about the history of Weedmaps and its success across the nation in promoting safe consumption and inclusion, and what’s next.

Chris Beals and Mona Zhang, June 2022

We also heard from Hip-Hop icon, actor, author and co-founder of the National Cannabis Party, Redman.  Redman’s Keynote, “In Conversation With…” was with Steve Bloom, Publisher and Editor of CelebStoner.com, former Editor of High Times and former Editor-in-Chief of Freedom Leaf. The discussion was energetic and riveting as Steve and Redman discussed Redman’s climb in music, pop-culture and activism. We learned about Redman’s most recent journey as co-founder of the National Cannabis Party.

Redman and Steve Bloom, NY 2022

The Keynote Conversations continued with Nick Kovacevich, CEO of Greenlane Holdings talking with Tim Seymour, Co-Anchor of CNBC’s Fast Money. The audience heard about Nick’s pioneering journey as co-founder and chair of KushCo Holdings and his rise to Greenlane Holdings, which merged with KushCo Holdings in 2021. Nick’s leadership has led to the success and growth of Greenlane Holdings.

Nick Kovacevich and Tim Seymour, June 2022
An Historic Year for New York

Honorable Eric Adams, 110th Mayor of New York City
In this historic year of legalized cannabis in New York, Mayor Eric Adams came to CWCBExpo and brought greetings and special remarks to attendees.

 

The audience heard first-hand about Mayor Adams’ support of the emerging cannabis and hemp industries.

 

Mayor Eric Adams, June 2022

Update on Licensing from Tremaine Wright, Chair of the New York Cannabis Control Board
Gia Moron, President of Women Grow and Founder of GVM Communications, spoke with Tremaine Wright, Chair of the NYS Cannabis Control Board. The audience received an update on NYS cannabis licensing. An enthusiastic Q/A period was had. Chair Wright walked the floor afterward and visited exhibitors.

Tremaine Wright and Gia Morón, June 2022

Licensing and the Illicit Market

A session called “Licensing & the Illicit Market” discussed how legalization will affect illicit markets. The session was moderated by Mona Zhang, States Cannabis Policy Reporter for Politico. Panelists included Chris Beals, CEO, Weedmaps; Dasheeda Dawson, Chair, Cannabis Regulators of Color Coalition; and Calvin Frye, Cannabis Pioneer and Entrepreneur, and Founder of Cloneville.

 

Illicit Market Session, June 2022

City and State Collaboration

A special ground-breaking city-state panel, “Building an Equitable Cannabis Industry Across City and State,” was featured as part of the city-state collaboration to support cannabis licensing across the city and state. Panelists included commissioners from the Mayor’s Office on Equity, the Economic Development Corporation, the Small Business Services, and the NYS Office of Cannabis Management (OCM).
 
The speakers were: Andrew Kimball, President, Economic Development Corp; Commissioner Kevin Kim, Small Business Services; Commissioner Sideya Sherman, Mayor’s Office of Equity; Chris Alexander, Executive Director, Office of Cannabis Management; the moderator was Carlyn S. Buckler, Associate Professor Cornell University, School of Practice School of Integrative Plant Science.
City and State Session, June 2022

Social Equity in Cannabis 
The session, “Roundtable: Social Equity – Progress & Needed Change,” featured industry business owners, executives and professionals who have been working toward an equitable and fair cannabis industry for people of color, women, and all minorities. While progress has been made, much more needs to be done and all eyes are on NYS to implement a cannabis program that is the model for the entire nation regarding social equity provisions.

 

The audience heard from Jerel Registre, Fund Managing Director, Curio Wellness; Faye Coleman, Founder and CEO, Pure Genesis; Leo Bridgewater, Co-founder, Collective 60 New Jersey; Carlyn S. Buckler, Associate Professor Cornell University, School of Practice School of Integrative Plant Science, Chair of the Cornell College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Diversity and Inclusion Committee; moderated by Tanya Osborne, Founder CannaDiva, LLC, Director of Community Engagement and Digital Production for Women Grow.  

 

Equity Session, June 2022
Master Session Workshop: Dispensaries

With the wave of legalization across the USA for medical cannabis and adult-use cannabis, owning a dispensary has become a desirable goal for many as it can be quite lucrative. This workshop went through the entire real-life experience of owning a dispensary. Attendees heard from east and west coast dispensary owners, retailers, and designers about getting a license and owning, maintaining, expanding, and selling a dispensary.

 

The workshop was moderated by Calvin Frye, Cannabis Pioneer and Entrepreneur, Founder Cloneville, while the speakers included: Faye Coleman, Founder/CEO, Pure Genesis; Nichelle Santos, Founder/CEO, Canna Coverage; Angela Wright, Founder/CEO, National Botanical Company; Neil Kaufman, Managing Member, Kaufman-McGowan, PLLC; Mitzi Keating, Citrin Cooperman; Harry Carpenter, Citrin Cooperman; Colleen Higgins, RPh, Pharmacist; Bob Kassoff, VP, Sales and Marketing, Wilson Safe Company; Norman Chevlin, Founder and CEO, Plant Your Financial Seed; Dario Boyce, Project Manager, Anderson Porter Design; Greg Miller, President of Retail, Curio Wellness.

Dispensary Workshop speakers, June 2022
Calvin Frye, June 2022
Dispensary Workshop speakers, June 2022
Cannabis and Lifestyle

We were proud to provide a platform for several roundtables and sessions that highlighted living a healthy life with cannabis, as well as making good and responsible decisions when consuming cannabis. Roundtables on sustainability, health and wellness and cultivation were featured. The panelists included business owners, cultivators, industry experts, and technologists.

The sustainability session, Roundtable: Eco-Conscious Cannabis, discussed the important questions such as: How was your cannabis grown? Did it get produced, grown, harvested, extracted, packaged, stored and sold with sustainability and eco-safety in mind? Do you care and do you know about the safety standards and the supply chain of how that cannabis you bought was grown and how it was handled all the way through to sale for consumption?

 

 

Attendees heard from knowledgeable panelists about the importance of maintaining a sustainable environment: Matthew Broxterman, Director of Sales, Boulder Creek Technologies; Jason Thomas, Founding Partner, Precision Quality Compliance; Kyle Georges, VP Sales and Business Development, Maratek Environmental; George Stantchev, CEO, COMERG; moderated by Carl Cameron.

 

Eco Conscious Cannabis Session, June 2022

A Health & Wellness session, Roundtable: Living a Healthy Life with Cannabis, heard from business owners and supporters of a healthy lifestyle while incorporating cannabis. The discussions focused on regimens of infused products, edibles, food preparation, CBD oils, vaping and exercise.

 

Panelists included Jenny Argie, Founder and Owner, Jenny’s Home Baked Goods; Arnaud Dumas de Rauly, Co-Founder/CEO The Blinc Group; Rob Mejia, Adjunct Professor, Stockton University, Cannabis Studies Department; moderated by Christina DiGiovanni, Founder and CEO, The Emerald.

 

Health and Wellness Session, June 2022

The session, Roundtable: Cultivation, highlighted important topics that must be considered in cultivation, such as artificial intelligence, genetics, quality control, and effective and intelligent grow methods.

 

Speakers included, Ian Seiferling, CEO, Adaviv; Calvin Frye, Founder, Cloneville; moderated by Gretchen Gailey, Chief Strategist, CWCBExpo.

 

Cultivation Session, June 2022
Networking Events

Attendees, speakers, and exhibitors took part in networking events that allowed the business-building to continue after the show floor closed. CWCBExpo’s Cannabis Week, which ran from May 31 – June 5, allowed the New York business community to take part in numerous special events that sparked mind-share, education, fun, and business opportunities.

Congratulations to NORML and Curved Papers for another successful NORML FORML. Advocacy is an important part of our industry and this is always a wonderful event to kick-off CWCBExpo.

Our Networking Mixer, sponsored by Weedmaps, the Spleef after-party and the Industry Yacht Party were well attended events. CWCBExpo thanks all participants!

Thank you to our Sapphire Sponsor, and to our Networking Mixer, After-Party, Yacht Party and other sponsors:

CWCBExpo Sponsors, June 2022
CWCBExpo Sponsors, June 2022
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