The only show of its kind in the LA area just had its second event in downtown Los Angeles last week that was three times bigger than the original show in April. The Network Show is business-to-business only trade show that connects brands with dispensary buyers. Over 200 vendors with booths ranging from simple to elaborate interactive displays spread out across three buildings over the two days of the event.
The three founders Mikey Kush, Shea Ryan, and Nam Tran each bring extensive knowledge, having their own brands and experience navigating the industry. “We’ve been the guys selling on the other side of the spectrum, so we really understand what we were trying to curate” Shea says.
The success of the first show was a simple formula that they replicated again, to “curate the right people in the right room” co-founder Shea Ryan explains. The show is a invite-only affair that does not sell tickets and is not open to the public, allowing for the buyers, managers, and dispensary owners to have direct access to the brands, “These people are the actual decision makers” he says.
While it might seem too soon to have a second event after the first took place earlier this year, the founders say it was based on feedback from the vendors, who said that October was the best month for a show like this. The founders decided to make it an annual event every October, starting this year.
The event brings together the community. It’s the uniquely curated guestlist that allows for more long term relationships to be built.
“A long-term relationship that they get to build with the brands, with the retailers this is a platform that allows them to do that” Mikey said.
