Off-Site Events & Awards During ‘Weed Week’
In addition to the conference’s 3-day expo, MJBizCon is also known for fostering extraordinary networking opportunities and relationship-building experiences throughout the week. Security companies and vendors were heavily featured in these events, including cocktail hours, after-parties, and awards shows.
These off-site events are a staple of MJBizCon, and many industry professionals attribute these events to generating some of the most valuable conversations of the week. One of these events, an interactive graffiti-inspired after party dubbed The Underground Party, was hosted by Sapphire Risk Advisory Group and drew a crowd of cannabis security professionals looking to enjoy their time in Las Vegas while networking with like-minded individuals. Sponsoring security companies included everOn, Hanwha Vision America, Myers Security, Wilson Safe Company, Netwatch North America, AVS Technology, and InstaKey Security Systems.
“The party was a great success. We had an amazing turnout, and it was a fun time,” said Leo Falgout, Chief of Staff for Sapphire Risk Advisory Group. “It was great to see different security companies have an opportunity to engage with each other at the event.”
“From attending the show to sponsoring [The Underground Party], this year’s show made us realize now is the perfect time to get in on the MJBizCon action,” said Lonny Gorham, Business Development Manager for InstaKey Security Systems.
Another notable event during ‘Weed Week’ was The Emjays International Cannabis Awards, an inaugural awards ceremony held in the famous Palms Casino Resort designed to unite some of the most prestigious companies in the industry to acknowledge their achievements in cannabis. Despite not having a designated security category, cannabis security consultancy Sapphire Risk Advisory Group went on to win in the category of “Cannabis Consulting Firm of the Year.”
“It is an honor to be recognized nationally by the cannabis community for our consulting services. We love being able to give back to our clients and this great industry,” said Tony Gallo, Managing Partner of Sapphire Risk Advisory Group.
Cannabis Security Industry Projections for 2024
As the cannabis industry enters 2024, security emerges as a pivotal force shaping business success. The evolution of cannabis security is expected to continue, driven by technological advancements, regulatory developments, and a collective industry effort to strengthen protective measures.
“Despite not being legal on a federal level, security in the cannabis industry is growing exponentially and the need for better security products has never been higher,” said Lonny Gorham.
“We’ve seen a lot of advances in AI technology over the last year and it’s a major topic within security and video surveillance,” said Kevin Brown. “Many cannabis companies are integrating AI capabilities and intelligent video solutions into their operations as it’s becoming more widespread and more affordable. I’m sure we’ll see this trend continue in 2024.”
“I’ve talked to security vendors, sponsors, managers, and alike and they agree security is still a big topic in organizations. No one wants to be on the news or risk their license due to a security incident,” said Leo Falgout. “Some markets are more requiring than others, but the number of security vendors at MJBiz demonstrates that training, equipment, monitoring, vaults, and other aspects are still paramount to a cannabis business’s success.”
Katharine Baxter is an independent consultant in the cannabis industry with experience writing cannabis business applications, expert witness reports, and standard operating procedures. Katharine also specializes in providing marketing services for ancillary cannabis businesses, including SEO and company blog management. Katharine serves as the Lead Technical Writer and Industry News Editor for Sapphire Risk Advisory Group and is responsible for creating compliant security plans.
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