NCIA and Event Partner GSMI Take #1 Spot in Trade Show Executive’s Fastest 50 Award List

Washington, D.C. – The National Cannabis Industry Association’s Cannabis Business Summit™ & Expo is officially the fastest-growing annual trade show in the United States, according to Trade Show Executive.

The Cannabis Business Summit, NCIA’s flagship annual event, was awarded the top spot on Trade Show Executive’s annual “Fastest 50” list, honoring the 50 fastest-growing annual trade shows of the year. From 2016 to 2017, the Summit increased paid exhibit space by 59.6% and the number of exhibitors by 53.3%.

“From the beginning, we’ve built the Cannabis Business Summit to be the highest-value event for cannabis industry leaders – in business, in education, and in advocacy,” said Aaron Smith, executive director of NCIA.. “This award confirms that we’re succeeding in fostering the critical intersection of commerce, policy, and community it takes for our industry to grow, and grow the right way.”

The Summit celebrates its fifth anniversary this year and has long been known as the most influential event in the cannabis industry. NCIA recently announced that James Cole, former deputy attorney general of the United States and author of the ‘Cole Memo,’ which fundamentally shifted the landscape for legal cannabis businesses in America, will be the featured keynote speaker at this year’s event.

The 2018 Cannabis Business Summit is expected to draw more than 7,500 cannabis industry professionals to San Jose, Calif., July 25-27.

NCIA shares the award with its event management partner, the Global Strategic Management Institute (GSMI).

Trade Show Executive awarded the “Fastest-Growing Annual Show” designation to the Cannabis Business Summit based on percentage of growth in net square feet of paid exhibit space and number of exhibiting companies.