The Exchange held its unique cannabis industry convention at the East Brunswick Hilton recently. The two-day conference’s first show in New Jersey reflected the growth of the legal adult-use market.

While most of the convention took place inside, up two flights of escalators in a ballroom, a lot of good networking was done outside, while smoking by the beautiful fountain where the after-party took place.

Exchange Conference Facilitating Business Meetings

What was notable about the Exchange is that they encourage you to schedule attendee meetings before the conference through their website. Once registered, they make it easy to set up appointments with others registered.

So, on a very regular basis, The Exchange Co-Director Susan Kimmelman announced when meetings were supposed to begin and end after a bell was rung through the speakers.

Some companies had booths where they could hold meetings with people s. So, there were only a few rows of tables amidst meeting booths versus the traditional trade convention show floor, and no panels.

Many reported to Heady NJ that they enjoyed the meeting schedule feature when their meetings worked out.

Several noted they liked how many dispensaries, cultivators, and manufacturers were the main booth holders holding regular appointments.

NJ Cannabis Market Growth on Display at Industry Convention

The Exchange cannabis convention reflected the steady progress made by many in the New Jersey cannabis industry.

The conference featured many licensed companies tabling, with their owners and senior staff making the rounds.

New THC-infused drinks were the most interesting product, along with new craft cannabis cultivators that were among those tabling. Especially those by the Blur, which had a meeting booth. A review of their drinks is coming soon!

Many new companies that have been operating for a year or less were there, making the rounds eager to be in the market after a long time of trying to do so. Some companies talked about their second locations and plans for vertical integration, like growing and manufacturing.

Plus, many junior budtenders are rising through the ranks in one company or climbing the ladder by jumping ship.

Many working the circuit have their own brands after starting as junior budtenders, rising the ranks, and starting off on their own product through a license or a sort of brand or production deal.

Like every cannabis business conference, there was a range of old heads and hippies and underground legacy operators and a few sharks eager to close a deal and make a buck.

Cannabis Industry Fun in East Brunswick

Interestingly, East Brunswick itself doesn’t allow dispensaries but has a few smoke shops. However, nearby New Brunswick and Highland Park both have clusters of dispensaries.

Notably, East Brunswick is my hometown! So, I was happy to collaborate and have the Heady NJ logo featured on their wall of brands, along with Retreat dispensary co-owner Cory Garriga.

Among those tabling were the NJ Trade Association (NJCTA), along with the NJ Cannabis Chamber of Commerce. High Times was also a media sponsor of the cannabis business convention and featured on the wall of brands pictured above.

It was the first cannabis industry conference in New Jersey held by the Exchange after operating in Oregon and Michigan.