VANCOUVER, British Columbia – After a three-year hiatus due to the pandemic, Lift Vancouver 2023 returns with MCI USA as new leadership, with renewed vigor and vision to meet the unique needs of audiences across the entire cannabis ecosystem.
The event brought together thousands of members and consumers from the cannabis industry Vancouver Convention Centre The event was held from January 12-14 and welcomed 3,257 attendees, exceeding expectations. “After a three-year hiatus, we were concerned that we wouldn’t reach our goal. Initially, we would have been happy with 2,500 people, but people were ready to come back and we are very pleased to have exceeded that initial number,” said Lindsay Roberts, Portfolio Manager, Lift Events and Experiences.
The last three years have been a pivotal time for the cannabis industry, which was just starting to form and had a strong need to come together to build a business community. “In more established industries, it can take a while for things to change significantly. In a new industry, something new happens every three to four months. There are new regulations, new competitors, and new products, for example. So trade shows and face-to-face conferences are extremely important,” Roberts said.
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The Lift team has convened the premier cannabis industry event of 2023 with a highly dynamic exhibit space, engaging speakers, lively networking and a strong community element. The show’s community-building features included over 130 speakers and educational sessions, a branded pavilion, outdoor networking lounge, speaker corner and private area screening of a documentary.
The event began with a recognition of Indigenous and historical members of the cannabis community. Dennis Thomas-Whonoak, elected councillor of the Tsleil-Waututh Nation (Inlet People) provided a dedication and Xwelmexw Shxwexwo:s (Salish Thunderbird) entertained attendees with a drum performance. Lift also partnered with the All nationsan organization that combines traditional Indigenous values with cutting-edge cultivation methods to produce the highest quality cannabis.
Other highlights of Lift Vancouver 2023 include new programs for supercharged consumers at the event, which included several dedicated lounge areas, engaging panels and demonstrations, and a myriad of opportunities to discover new brands and products.
A significant development that occurred during the pandemic-related layoff was that MCI United States took over the leadership of Lift in 2020. Previously, the events were called Lift & Co. “The cannabis industry is on the verge of exploding and having a major player like MCI step in at this point gives it the legitimacy it needs to take the next step toward becoming a global industry,” Roberts said.
Reach Lindsay Roberts has lindsay.roberts@wearemci.com