Considered as the world’s biggest virtual reality marijuana-related event, Cannabis & Tech Today’s Emerge conference was held on December 15 to 17, said PR Newswire. It featured different happenings intended to promote the industry, its consumers, and businesses. It was attended by key figures in the community such as Snoop Dogg, Jim Belushi, and Steve DeAngelo.

The conference emphasized the Clio Cannabis Awards, the USA CBD Expo, educational seminars, and talks by different keynote speakers. This event was made possible by the quarterly publication in collaboration with industry leaders such as the National Cannabis Industry Association, National Association of Cannabis Businesses, Veterans Cannabis Coalition, Clio Cannabis Awards, and The USA CBD Expo.

Regarding the significance of the event to the cannabis community, Cannabis & Tech Today editor-in-chief and CEO Charles Warner said, “Leveraging our connections in the technology sector, we wanted to create a next-level but also addresses the need to focus on networking and getting back to business during this time of crisis.”

Emerge, which is what the conference is called, featured three subject tracks with more than 40 sessions. It was participated by more than 80 exhibitors and thousands of attendees.

To launch the forum in compliance with existing protocols in light of the health crisis, Emerge used the Hyperfair virtual platform which simulates interaction and networking among attendees. This platform provided a 3D immersive experience complete with VR-powered venues.

Highlights of the event included rapper and cannabis entrepreneur Snoop Dogg receiving the Clio Cannabis Lifetime Achievement Award. David Crosby, Julian Marley, and Former Congressional Representative Dan Rohrabacher were also there as keynote speakers for the event. Moreover, attendees will enjoy a 90-day post-event access to sponsor brands, events, content, breakouts, perks, and networking opportunities.

Regarding Clio’s involvement in the conference, Clio Cannabis director Michael Kauffman said, “We’re grateful for the opportunity to join the community at Winter Emerge in order to recognize top marketing in the industry. Our goal remains to celebrate creativity and to show our appreciation to each of you who are helping to bring this miracle plant to hearts, minds, and endocannabinoid systems around the planet.”

Emerge conference co-founder and Advisor Andre Bourque has always been optimistic about this event. In the press release of the forum, Bourque expressed his vision of the event. He said, “When Charles and I developed the concept for Emerge, we wanted it to consistently evolve, ‘re-emerge,’ if you will.” He added, “The industry is constantly changing, so establishing ourselves as the go-to, year-round virtual environment for cannabis content allows us to spotlight new voices, ideas, innovations, companies, and people each session.”

Ushering in a New Era of Weed Events

Emergence is just one of the firsts when it comes to virtual conferences. With the pandemic still at its height, combined with advisories from health experts even with vaccines, it is highly possible that online forums will be part of the new normal. It is the safest way to attend an event while social distancing. If you want to participate in such conferences in the near future, here’s what you can expect:

• More Virtual Conferences

The most apparent thing in the new normal when it comes to attending events is that they will be held online. This allows organizers to hold events with many people as they can or prefer to accommodate. As mentioned, it is a great way to comply with protocol as it requires attendees to participate while at home or in a place where they have access to the internet.

Another great thing about this development is that it helps attract technology entities to cannabis events. This gives participants the opportunity to network with tech companies, investors, and other personalities in the technology field.

• Online Toolkits

When attending events, participants are given access to various kits that will help them maximize their experience. For online conferences, you will also be sent such kits but in a digital format. You may receive PDFs, audio and video files, and other similar documents from the organizers. These may be used as a reference, additional information, or perform other valuable functions.

• At-Home Press Kits

Members of the press usually receive press kits to give them more information about the event, its guests, the activities it offers, and almost every important thing about the conference itself and its organizers. Online events strive to be as close to the real thing and more, so members of the press can expect to receive press kits at home.

This can be in the form of digital files such as PDFs, video and audio files, images, and other similar items. If needed, these items can be sent to your home. However, see to it that you receive the items in a safe manner that adheres to protocols. This includes contactless deliveries.

• High-Tech Solutions

These events are considered big in the cannabis community, so organizers need to step up their game to make their virtual conferences as close to the real thing as possible. In the case of Emergence, it used an advanced virtual reality platform to simulate the venue. So, you can expect the application of much more advanced technologies for other virtual events in the future.

Such solutions may be used not only to share the event to participants but also to allow them to interact within the digital environment. This can be in the form of virtual stalls, auditoriums, and rooms that can allow speakers and hosts, as well as attendees to network and exchange information more efficiently.

How to Join Virtual Cannabis Events

Now that you know what to expect from future weed events, you may be intent on participating in one. If this is your first time, here’s what you should do:

• Be on the lookout

Cannabis conferences may be scheduled at any time, so you want to make sure that you are always on the lookout for them. This may be difficult if you are not in the loop with cannabis publications, social media pages, websites, and personalities. So, if you think you will have a hard time finding an event to attend, you should start getting these media sources into your feed.

The thing about marijuana forums is they happen all year long. Every month, there is sure to be a conference near you. As long as you follow the right pages and people, you will have an idea about the when, what, where, and how an upcoming conference.

• Be ready to register

Many organizers choose to limit their audience, especially in the more conventional venues, or in-person events. With virtual programs, they may or may not choose to place similar limitations. Regardless, you should be ready to commit to the schedule you are interested in. This will help you secure a ticket to the event.

One thing you should be prepared to pay for your admission. Just like in-person conferences, their digital counterparts may charge a fee for the opportunity to participate. If you are hesitant about shelling out some money for this, you should keep in mind that these usually afford you valuable privileges and perks.

You get to interact with personalities in the cannabis community, especially successful entrepreneurs, investors, and potential business partners. Moreover, toolkits can provide important information about the industry. Plus, you may be given samples from participating exhibits and more!

• Maximize your experience

When you decide to pay for your admission fee, you just need to wait for the event to draw near. See to it that you make the most out of the experience you have seized and is being provided to you.

This is important, especially if you are an aspiring marijuana entrepreneur looking to participate in the industry in the future. If it is a multi-day event, plan out your day and check the schedule and list of presenters.

This will help you see which forums you are interested in, which booths you want to check out, or simply given some time for networking. Remember that attending these conferences are always a learning opportunity, as well as a chance to expand your network.

Usually, these events offer freebies such as product samples, service demos, and other similar offerings, so make sure to grab the chance to check out what exhibitors have to offer.

• Make sure your device can handle it

Lastly, before the event, you should see to it that your device will be able to handle the demands of the virtual reality tech. As organizers may choose to implement advanced solutions, these technologies may be more efficiently handled by capable computers. So, to make sure that you can take advantage of what the event has to offer, verify that your device’s specification is up to par with system requirements for the platform.

The Bottom Line

Cannabis events like Emergence may transform in light of the new normal. If you are planning to join one in the future, this guide can help you prepare for the experience and make the most out of a digital conference.