Highlights for

Retailers

The retail game in today’s cannabis industry is fierce.  This year at MJBizCon, retail operators will learn the in’s and out’s of building a winning retail strategy.  Discussions will include consumer trends and the most up-to-date industry retail data, expansion strategies, fresh marketing insights and more.  Meet, learn and network with some of the most insightful retail minds in the industry.

Here’s a sneak peek:

Deliver on Your Brand: Creating a Sustainable and Competitive Retail Experience
As cannabis moves towards a more traditional retail environment, delivering a brand experience has become crucial to staying competitive in both newer and maturing markets. This session will look at how to ensure a successful retail venture through innovation and shaping your customer’s experience.

You will learn:

• Market analysis in nascent and maturing markets.
• Startup cost ranges and timelines.
• Product selection factors, including pricing, margins and building vendor relationships.
• Operating procedures and considerations for staff recruiting and training.
• An opportunity for Q&A at the end.

Everything Must Go! Discounts, Promotions and Other Pricing Strategies to Remain Flexible
As consumer spending tightens and sales decrease, retailers in maturing markets have turned to discounting and other promotions to shrink inflated inventories and boost their sales. Promotions can help retailers get to a better place with their inventory and finances, but those decisions should rely on accurate, robust data to ensure a more targeted approach.

You will learn:

• The importance of data when it comes to setting your pricing and promotional strategies.
• Tips for smart inventory management when you begin to stockpile products in your store.
• Options for reducing the impact of discounting on your bottom line.
• An opportunity for Q&A at the end.

The Threat Is Real: Cyberattacks and Data Breaches in the Cannabis Industry
The cannabis industry has grown, and so have the number and sophistication of cyberattacks (data breaches, business email compromises, ransomware, etc.).  While no company is immune, there are ways businesses can protect themselves, regardless the size of their information technology department.  This session will cover the most significant cybersecurity threats to the industry and how you can respond to those nasty hackers.

You will learn:

• The latest cybersecurity threats and trends facing the industry and how to access resources to build organizational resilience.
• Practices that should be in place should an attack occur.
• Available resources on how to educate and stay current on cybersecurity threats.
• Case Study: An actual attack to demonstrate how it should have been handled.
• An opportunity for Q&A at the end.

Mastering the Art of Content Marketing
What brings your marketing message to life? Content. In this session, a panel of marketing professionals will discuss what goes into creating marketing content: the photos, videos and copy that bring your advertising and marketing to life.  Of course, this also includes consumer insights, the platforms being utilized and navigating a spiderweb of regulations for cannabis brands.   Seems complicated, right?  It won’t be after attending this session.

You will learn:

•  Key factors on how to deliver the most impactful message to your customer at the right time.
• Why design, color, font, photography and storytelling are important considerations when developing content and your marketing message.
• Insights from professionals on the platforms and tools being used for content creation, management and implementation.
• An opportunity for Q&A at the end.

ESG Policies: The Backbone Your Company Needs to Thrive in Today’s Market
E – Environment

S – Social Impact

G – Corporate Governance

Having an ESG policy is no longer just ”nice to have.” It is a ”must-have.”  Companies small and large are now taking responsibility and implementing ESG policies. Why?  Because regulators, investors and consumers are starting to look more closely and evaluate companies based on the impact of their ESG practices.

You will learn:

•  A breakdown of the ESG components and how it relates to cannabis operators across each vertical.
• How ESG policies can drive equity in organizations and the industry.
• The importance of benchmarking and setting KPIs to measure the impact of your ESG policies.
• The benefits of implementing a successful ESP policy.
• An opportunity for Q&A at the end.

Grind It Out: Succeeding Through Ongoing Market and Supply Chain Volatility
Time to hit the panic button? Not quite yet, but with a possible recession on the horizon the industry is discovering this is one economic hiccup cannabis is not immune to.  Operators have already seen sales decrease in certain markets as businesses and consumers both deal with rising costs across the board.  What steps can be taken to ensure you are running lean operations to better deal with the ongoing roller-coaster economy and supply chain disruptions?
You will learn:

• The value of strategic partnerships and supplemental sourcing, and why this should be part of your current business plan.
• Best practices for gathering effective data, and how operators are using that data to respond to market and supply chain challenges.
• Strategies for identifying and shoring up weak spots in your operations.
• An opportunity for Q&A at the end.