On December 4, 2024, 80+ HR professionals and founders gathered at the Aria Resort & Casino in Las Vegas for the first-ever Cannabis HR Leadership Summit, hosted by FlowerHire. Held during MJBizCon, the summit provided a dedicated space for HR leaders in the cannabis industry to connect, collaborate, and tackle unique challenges through keynotes, panels, and interactive sessions.
The event aimed to promote professional development while providing attendees with actionable strategies for improving their organizations. From the outset, participants praised the event for its focus on meaningful conversations, targeted discussions, and opportunities to build lasting connections. Dede Kennedy of Benassist Health captured the day beautifully: Your speakers and panels were full of quality thought and industry leaders that were approachable and with a tangible thirst for learning. A vibe of sharing and caring permeated.”
Breakout sessions: the highlight of the day
While the entire summit was received enthusiastically, the breakout sessions stood out as the most impactful element for many attendees. These sessions were made up of 15-20 people, which quickly evolved into engaging roundtable discussions. “I assumed this would just be someone presenting in a smaller group, but I loved that they turned into more of a roundtable discussion. I learned the most from these small group talks,” shared one participant.
Topics ranged from employee retention strategies and using technology for continuous improvement to developing total rewards plans and navigating change management. One attendee described the sessions as “real talk and collaboration,” while another noted, “Spending time with others in the small group sessions, sharing ideas and learning from one another,” was a key takeaway.
The retention-focused breakout, in particular, sparked deep conversations. “An enlightening conversation during the retention breakout” left one participant inspired to bring new strategies back to their team.
Networking: building lasting connections
Another highlight was the networking opportunities that the summit facilitated. From icebreaker activities to informal discussions between sessions, attendees appreciated the chance to connect with peers who shared similar challenges and goals.
“Meeting other HR people in the cannabis industry” and “sharing best practices” were repeatedly cited as “magic moments.” One attendee reflected, “There was not one single ‘aha’ moment, but there were various moments throughout the day that provided me with a recharge to face the daily challenges supporting HR in the cannabis space.”
The event’s targeted audience also added value. “Just having this VERY targeted group in the room together” created an atmosphere of trust and collaboration that attendees found refreshing and energizing.
Keynote + panels: inspiring and informative
The summit opened with a powerful keynote by the AYR Wellness HR team: Anya Varga, Julie Fontaine, and Jennifer McClintock, who shared how their team successfully reduced turnover. Attendees also appreciated the panels, where thought leaders discussed HR technology, unionization, and creating purpose-driven cultures.
As Taylor Walker, Payroll & Benefits Manager at Terrabis, noted, “Today was a pivotal day filled with making connections among other HR cannabis professionals, sharing successes, failures, and ways we can continue to drive the cannabis industry forward.”
Sponsors were equally enthusiastic about the summit’s impact. Taylor Tobias of Alpharoot remarked, “The breakouts were so insightful, and hearing so many unique stories as to how everyone became involved in this industry and about all of the truly amazing ways these folks are taking care of their employees was incredible.”
A look ahead
The Cannabis HR Leadership Summit proved to be a cornerstone event for HR leaders in the cannabis space. Nikki Carter, Head of People at Leafwell, summed it up: “What an incredible event! It was fantastic to hear from thought leaders, share insights, and network with fellow professionals who are helping shape the future of HR in this space.”
As the first summit of its kind, the event demonstrated the power of collaboration in driving the cannabis industry forward. A big thank you to our sponsors who helped to make this event happen: Paragon, engin, The Baldwin Group, Alpharoot and Zuber Lawler. “We are overjoyed by all the positive feedback and are already looking forward to next year’s summit!” shared FlowerHire’s CEO, David Belsky.
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