The fall Marijuana Business Conference & Expo has been named the nation’s fastest-growing trade show, yet another indication of the cannabis industry’s increasing prominence on the national stage.
The event, hosted by Marijuana Business Daily, led the pack last year in growth in attendees, net square feet of paid exhibit space, and number of exhibitors, Trade Show Executive announced at “The Fastest 50” awards ceremony Thursday night in Las Vegas.
Trade Show Executive ranks the nation’s 50 fastest-growing trade shows by annual percentage growth in each of those three areas.
“While this is a great honor and recognition for the team behind the Marijuana Business Conference & Expo, it is truly a testament to the economic power of our market and validation for the need for our national trade show and conference as a key catalyst for the industry,” George Jage, president and publisher of Marijuana Business Daily, said.
The event beat out scores of mainstream trade shows both small and large, including those focused on everything from construction and plastics to fashion and specialty coffee.
Trade Show Executive, which provides news and analysis for professionals who run trade shows, selects winners based on the highest percentage of growth in each category. Trade shows must meet certain baselines to be considered.
The fall Marijuana Business Conference & Expo, held in Las Vegas each November, grew from just over 16,000 square feet of exhibitor space in 2014 to 30,000 square feet last year. The number of exhibiting companies shot up nearly 65%, to 233 from 142, while total attendance jumped 73%, to 5,561.
The 2016 fall conference is expected to draw 7,500 industry professionals and 300 exhibitors in 43,000 net square feet of space. It is Marijuana Business Daily‘s fifth annual fall conference.