For cannabis professionals, choosing the right trade shows can make or break an annual business strategy. The leading marijuana expos are no longer just rows of booths; they are deal floors, data classrooms, and global networking hubs rolled into one. Among the many events on the calendar, a handful consistently stand out for scale, influence, and return on investment.

MJBizCon in Las Vegas is widely regarded as the industry’s “must-attend” anchor show. Billed as the world’s largest cannabis business conference, it brings together more than 30,000 attendees from over 60 countries and features around 1,000 exhibitors across dedicated expo “neighborhoods” for cultivation, processing, retail, and finance. This density of decision-makers, solution providers, and investors makes MJBizCon a prime venue for product launches, capital conversations, and multi-state partnership deals.

On the brand and retail side, Hall of Flowers has become the benchmark for a highly curated, product-first experience. Hosted in California and New York, the invite-driven event focuses on connecting licensed brands with vetted retail buyers and ancillary partners. Recent editions in Ventura have showcased 250+ brands and more than 1,000 retailers in an industry-only environment designed for sampling, in-booth ordering, and fast follow-up. For emerging and established consumer brands, the show’s format and exclusivity create unusually high-quality conversations and efficient sell-through opportunities.

For smoke shops, glass galleries, and counterculture retailers, CHAMPS Trade Shows remain an essential stop. Running since 1999, CHAMPS holds multiple B2B events each year in markets like Las Vegas, Denver, and Austin, connecting hundreds of exhibitors with thousands of retail and wholesale buyers from around the world. The floor blends functional cannabis accessories, glass art, lifestyle merchandise, and new product categories, giving buyers a real-time snapshot of what is resonating with consumers across the headshop and vape landscape.

NECANN’s convention series, anchored by its Boston show, has earned a reputation as the East Coast’s largest cannabis B2B gathering. With roughly 300 exhibitors, 9,000+ professionals, and dozens of education sessions, NECANN focuses on the realities of local markets: state-by-state regulations, licensing trends, and regional investment opportunities. For operators expanding along the Atlantic corridor, this show offers a concentrated view of policy shifts, grassroots advocacy, and practical operational lessons.

While North America dominates the calendar, international players increasingly look to Spannabis in Barcelona as Europe’s flagship cannabis fair. Running since 2002, Spannabis combines a large commercial expo with the World Cannabis Conferences, drawing tens of thousands of visitors, hundreds of companies, and a broad mix of medical, adult-use, and hemp stakeholders. For brands exploring EU opportunities or tracking global consumer trends, Spannabis offers a rare, on-the-ground perspective on evolving regulations and cultural attitudes across the continent.

For executives planning their annual calendar, these trade shows serve different yet complementary purposes. MJBizCon delivers unmatched scale and capital access; Hall of Flowers and CHAMPS sharpen product strategy at the retail edge; NECANN provides regional depth; and Spannabis opens a window to global expansion. Together, they map out a circuit where serious cannabis companies can learn, network, and grow alongside an industry that is still writing its playbook in real time.

Learn More: High Rollers & High Times: How Las Vegas Became America’s Marijuana Attraction Capital