The Cannavist Issue Four | Page 116

T IN THE EUROZONE Brexit or no Brexit, Europe’s biggest celebration of legal cannabis products has found its home in London. With a slight name change. Europe Canna Expo will dominate 2020 with education from Dublin to Croatia. Just as in lots of industries, a boom in the cannabis sector has led to increasing numbers of events, which can create competition. In some cases, rapid market expansion like this can see commercialisation overtake core industry values. London Canna Group’s Paul Raggett believes that in this sector, expansion “needs to be directed in such a way that the reputation of the industry is not put at risk.” In the aftermath of the success of the first ever Europe CBD Expo in London this summer, Paul told us he hopes the Europe Canna Expo next June will circulate credible and crucial information via education. And it’s working. The level of press attention, fuelled, no doubt in part, by the presence of Dan Bilzerian and his ‘Ignited Kingdom,’ coupled with an unrivalled agenda of expert speakers made the first show a tough act to follow. “The massive international coverage of our event in July led many to hear of the success and now they are naturally trying to replicate our formula.” But imitation is a form of flattery, or so they say. After its successful debut, the organisers decided to change the title to Europe Canna Expo to encompass multiple cannabis components, not just CBD. This not only gives the event a new dimension for attendees, it transcends the parameters of other UK-based events in the industry. “We realise people in Europe and the UK in particular are craving for credible, unbiased information and our aim is to provide detailed education to the public and the industry as a whole,” Paul says. “We are here for the longterm; we are not here to make a quick buck. We believe the industry needs organisations such as our own to push for a change in perception in government and the general public.” At the time of publication, we were more than eight months out from the June 2020 event, and yet more than 125 exhibitors are already confirmed to appear, along with 90 speakers, five keynote speakers, panel discussions and special guest appearances. Over a backdrop of live music, cannabis science, patient care and access, culture, cultivation and business will all be discussed, exceeding the line-up of last July’s event. Paul adds, “I am particularly looking forward to the increased conference programme and the fact we are able to bring the leading experts to London to help us drive our industry forward. “There is a major lack of credible information available to consumers and patients and by bringing the experts together to discuss what is happening globally, we can help to develop a safe and respectable industry here in the UK and across Europe.” “We are here for the longterm; we are not here to make a quick buck.” ECE Dublin 2020 Conference ECE Zagreb 2020 ECE London – ExCeL London, June 26 – 27