For cannabis professionals, the colder months don’t signal a slowdown — instead, they offer a window to reset, plan, and participate in influential industry gatherings. Here are several standout cannabis, hemp, and ancillary trade shows and conferences that traditionally occur in winter (January through March) — along with what makes them compelling.
Total Product Expo (TPE) — Las Vegas, NV
Dates: January 29–31, 2025
Website: totalproductexpo.com
Overview & Highlights:
TPE is one of the first major trade shows of the year for the smoke, vape, hemp, and alternative products industries. The event features 500+ exhibitors across categories including tobacco, vape and alternative delivery systems, CBD and hemp-infused products, accessories, and general merchandise. For cannabis and hemp brands, it’s an opportunity to connect with retailers and distributors early in the year, showcase innovations, and read early signals about market demand and regulatory appetite.
CHAMPS Las Vegas Winter (Counterculture Trade Show)
Dates: February 12–15, 2025
Website: champstradeshows.com
Overview & Highlights:
CHAMPS is a cornerstone of the counterculture, smoke shop, and accessory trade. It remains an important marketplace for ancillary goods, glassware, paraphernalia, and smoking accessory brands. The Winter show in Las Vegas brings thousands of vendors and hundreds of thousands of products under one roof for business-to-business dealmaking. A key draw is the “Glass Games,” live glass-art competitions that bring together artisans and buyers on the show floor.
Predominantly, CHAMPS is relevant to accessories and paraphernalia sectors, but those segments remain tightly tied to the cannabis ecosystem — from packaging and hardware to third-party add-ons.
Hawaii Cannabis Expo — Honolulu, HI
Dates: January 30 – February 1, 2026
Website: hawaiicannabisexpo.com
Overview & Highlights:
This three-day expo blends culture, education, and business in a tropical setting. Exhibitors and attendees from across the Pacific convene to explore cannabis, CBD, regulatory frameworks, and tourism-related marketing opportunities. The event includes speaker panels, art activations like “Pakalolo, Past, Present & Future,” and networking receptions. It’s a standout occasion to build relationships in emerging and tourism-driven markets.
XpoCanna Connecticut Cannabis Expo — Plantsville, CT
Dates: February 14–15, 2026
Website: xpocann.com
Overview & Highlights:
XpoCanna is a regional but rapidly growing show focused on the Northeastern U.S. cannabis, hemp, CBD, and ancillary sectors. The event features educational seminars on advocacy, policy developments, business models, public health, and the evolving medical versus adult-use landscape. A signature highlight is the X Cup cannabis competition — a strain judging and award ceremony that brings consumer awareness and brand prestige.
For brands aiming to penetrate East Coast markets or influence local policy, XpoCanna is a strong winter option.
SUNY / New York State Cannabis Conference — Albany, NY
Dates: Mid-January (often the second week)
Website: sunyniagra.edu
Overview & Highlights:
This conference is more academic and policy-driven, attracting state regulators, academic researchers, and public health officials. Discussions focus on adult-use implementation, medical cannabis evaluation, and cross-state comparisons. For professionals interested in compliance, regulation, and legislative forecasting, this event provides foundational insights into one of the country’s most closely watched emerging markets.
Lucky Leaf Expo — Minneapolis, MN
Dates: Late February (often February 27–28)
Website: luckyleafexpo.com
Overview & Highlights:
Lucky Leaf Expo serves as a bridge between the Midwest’s evolving cannabis markets. Although smaller than national trade shows, it provides value in regional networking and market access. The event features exhibitors, keynote presentations, and educational sessions designed for entrepreneurs, growers, investors, and policy professionals. For businesses expanding into the Midwest or exploring medical and emerging adult-use markets, Lucky Leaf is an essential stop on the winter calendar.
Analysis, Recommendations & Tips
- Diversity of Focus: These events span different market segments — from regulatory and policy conferences (SUNY) to accessory trade shows (CHAMPS) and general B2B showcases (TPE, XpoCanna). Attending a mix offers well-rounded insight and networking potential.
- Timing Advantage: A winter schedule allows brands to preview calendar-year trends, launch early products, and build relationships ahead of the busy spring and summer seasons.
- Regional Strategy: For companies targeting specific states like New York, Connecticut, or Minnesota, regional expos may deliver stronger ROI compared to large-scale national events.
- Access & Compliance: Some shows require proof of business credentials and restrict access to qualified buyers or exhibitors. Always confirm local regulations, as most events prohibit on-site cannabis sales or consumption even in legal states.
- Stay Updated: As cannabis policy evolves, confirm event details and participation requirements in advance — many organizers update schedules and compliance rules annually.
By strategically attending these winter cannabis events, professionals can gain early access to industry trends, build partnerships, and strengthen positioning for the year ahead.
Learn More: Winter Watch in Cannabis Industry Trends to Follow This Season