Benzinga’s Cannabis Capital Conference (CCC) is the premier cannabis investment and branding event in North America. The fall 2024 edition was held in Chicago on Oct. 8-9, drawing over 2,000 attendees for two days of engaging content, social equity initiatives, and calls to action for voting. According to Javier Hasse, Benzinga’s managing director, the conference facilitated over 3,000 meetings through their networking platform, resulting in positive feedback and new partnerships. With notable speakers like Ross Gerber and a fully Illinois-compliant afterparty, the event was a resounding success.
The overall atmosphere at the conference was upbeat and optimistic, with a focus on the future. As the election loomed just days away, business leaders in attendance shared their insights and perspectives on the industry. Robert Beasley, CEO of Cansortium, has attended four Benzinga events and attests that each one surpasses the last. “They get better and better, bigger and bigger,” he says. “The connections made here are invaluable, and the profile of attendees continues to evolve. It’s a great opportunity to meet industry contacts and discover new ones.”
When asked about the potential impact of the election on the cannabis industry, Beasley believes that progress will continue regardless of the outcome. “We’ve turned a corner, and there will be more ahead,” he says. “Right now, we’re on a positive slope, and there’s a general good vibe going into the elections with both candidates supporting descheduling. Whether that will be the solution remains to be seen.”
Heather Malloy, co-founder and managing partner of Speedwell Partners, a cannabis investment and advisory group, is a regular attendee of Benzinga’s Chicago and Florida conferences. She praises them as the most valuable events she attends, citing the numerous organic meetings that take place when everyone is in one place. Looking ahead, Malloy doesn’t anticipate significant changes resulting from the 2024 election. “I believe that family offices and retail investors will feel more comfortable entering or re-entering the capital markets,” she comments.
In true hipster journalistic style, the conference was a powerful and dynamic event, with attendees leaving with a sense of excitement and hope for the future of the cannabis industry. With its focus on investment and branding, Benzinga’s CCC continues to be a must-attend event for anyone involved in the cannabis space.
