MJBizCon is the largest and most anticipated event in Cannabis. Despite the pandemic effecting the last 18 months of everyone’s lives, MJbiz was able to celebrate its 11th anniversary with an award-winning show held in Las Vegas. Although, the pandemic did put some stipulations on the conference, such as spacing, international travel, and more the conference team was able to expand the tradeshow floor and provide even more space for networking and partnership building. We meet up with Duane Roebuck as he shares his thoughts about his recent visit to the conference.
Video Transcription
Harry Brelsford
Hey 420 MSP back with Duane Roebuckover at Blue Star How you doing? Duane looks Life’s a beach. Look at you in that background.
Duane Roebuck
Yeah, beautiful background. I wish it were like this. I actually live in Cincinnati. So it’s pretty cool today. I think the first day below freezing.
Harry Brelsford
Oh, man,
Duane Roebuck
This morning. Yeah, so frost on the grass and stuff like that. So
Harry Brelsford
it’s, we’re coming into winter. Hey, uh, you and I attended mjbizcon Got it? We’re both busy. We actually didn’t see each other. But what’s your take on mjbizcon? This year? What are the the good, the bad, the ugly?
Duane Roebuck
I mean, everything was predominantly good for me. You know, what, with regard to MJ biz, you know, you know, I’ve been telling everybody, I think people are tired of virtual conferences, and looking forward to getting together. And so, you know, I had a chance to speak with some of the folks from MJ biz while I was there. And then speaking with them, you know, I made the comment that it seemed a little light to me. And, you know, the numbers they threw out, you know, seem to be right on par with what they had in 2019. And turn, confirm registration. So, you know, we’re looking at over 30,000 and, and, you know, they did tell me that they widen the show floors, and they had that separate area, they did all the flowers on the side. And so, you know, the way they strategically positioned the booths and made it wider, gave you more space. And then the other thing we have to think about is none of the, you know, most of the international people were not able to attend because of, you know, the rules here in the United States. And so, I do know, next year, you know, they’re anticipating expansion. And, you know, this is probably going to be the, you know, last year in that hall, as they’re growing, because as you were walking around, you know, there’s no empty spaces. And, you know, so it’s good to see, you know, because it’s good to see that because I think a lot of people were gauging, you know, like how the cannabis industry was going to do based off the attendance at that show. So, based off of what I saw, I think we’re in for a very, you know, fruitful year for new 22 and beyond.
Harry Brelsford
Yeah, exactly. Now, you. And we’ve had this talk before, but Bluestar itself typically doesn’t have a booth on the floor, but you sponsor your resellers was that the case again this year,
Duane Roebuck
that was, you know, this year, we had a variety of resellers who, you know, we’re doing everything from RFID to, you know, the traditional point of sale track and trace, you know, barcode scanning and labels. Being a distributor, our business model is b2b. And so we highlight our resellers versus putting ourselves in front and a consumer show just creates too much confusion, you know, meaning, you know, our business model, so, you know, if, here’s a shameless plug, but if there’s any resellers out there that want to consider exhibiting, you know, at a show like MJ biz and say, you know, hit me up and, you know, I can see what type of funds we have to help them out, you know, in that endeavor.
Harry Brelsford
Yep. What’s, what’s next? What’s the next show? You’re going to you’ve been? You’ve been getting the elite mileage this summer and fall, Mike. You’re traveling man. Anything on the docket for 2020 wonders. Are the show’s over?
Duane Roebuck
No. There is a show in New York, the cannabis world congress and business expo CW CBE, which is happening next week at the Javits Center. Okay. And with the New York being, probably, you know, well, there’s no probably in terms of a city in North America. That’s the largest market and, you know, with them, going ahead and looking to legalize adult use cannabis. I anticipate that that will be a big show. Actually, I believe that show starts this week. And so I will not be attending that because I had a vacation schedule. I really wanted to be there. But I won’t be attending that but I will be at your show in February, sir. Shoutout, Harry, tell us
Harry Brelsford
about that. Ghana Tech Expo co located show inside it Expo. It’s it’s all that packed. Well, we’ll we’ll get back together with you and double click into that. We’ll make that our next podcast
Duane Roebuck
one I got to give you a shameless plug in if you like the background behind me, imagine this in February. That’s what’s going to be at that show. And now, yeah, in Fort Lauderdale, so
Harry Brelsford
it’s not a hard sell.
Duane Roebuck
Especially for you know, those of us that live in you know, the northern states. It should It shouldn’t be. be a nice get away.
Harry Brelsford
Yes, sir. All right. Well, it looks like you’re on vacation already. With that background. Enjoy your vacations. We’ll talk to you next time.
Duane Roebuck
Hey, thank you, Harry. Take care of yourself and talk to you soon.
