Every December, the cannabis industry converges on Las Vegas. And while MJBizCon itself continues to evolve, one thing remains true: there is no other week that brings together more cannabis operators, leaders, service providers, and builders from across the country in one place.
For FlowerHire, MJBizCon 2025 wasn’t about the expo floor alone. With clients in dozens of states, MJBizCon still brings more of them together than any other event all year. It was about the connection among FlowerHire’s nationwide clients and the FlowerHire team, after another successful year. It’s a chance to celebrate progress and look ahead to a prosperous future, together.
With our remote team gathered in one city, clients and candidates meeting face-to-face, our fourth annual Smoke & Magic lighting up the night, and our third Cannabis HR Leadership Summit bringing people leaders together, the week served as a powerful reminder of the importance of in-person moments.
Less Noise, More Intention
Across conversations, a consistent theme emerged: the show felt less crowded but more focused. The expo hall itself was quieter, but the meetings were not. People came to Vegas with an intention. As Julia Swensen put it, “Everyone was there to get something specific out of the week.” And underneath it all was a shared sentiment we heard again and again: “We’re still here.”
The industry hasn’t gotten easier, but it’s gotten more precise. Roles are becoming more specialized. Companies are hiring, but with sharper job definitions and clearer expectations. “You can’t hire someone to do everything anymore,” noted Kelsey Barton. “The industry is maturing, and the roles reflect that.”
The Power of Showing Up Together
As a fully remote team, being together in person was grounding. From team dinners to late-night conversations at the craps table, those moments of unstructured time mattered just as much as formal meetings. “My favorite part of the week was just being with the team,” shared David Belsky. “That’s where the energy comes from.”
That energy was visible to others, too. Matching jackets sparked curiosity, conversations, and more than a few jokes. But underneath the humor was something real: trust, camaraderie, and a team that genuinely enjoys working together.
And that shows up in how clients experience us.
Our very own Aisha Alves was honored with an award at the MJBizCon HUB on Thursday. Presented by the Asian Cannabis Roundtable (ACR), the Community Champion Award recognizes one industry leader a year. We were so proud to see that her hard work toward mentoring, connecting, and supporting this and other underrepresented groups in cannabis is celebrated.
Smoke, Magic, and Meaningful Moments
Smoke & Magic once again did what it does best: created space for real conversations. Seeing people we personally invited show up, excited and engaged, was validating. As Alan Good shared, “It wasn’t just sending invites and hoping people came. They wanted to be there. That matters.”
Stories about the passion, the convoluted career paths, and the mutual recognition of how challenging this industry can be were all brought to life during these discussions.
This night wouldn’t have been possible without the partners who helped bring it to life. Thank you to our sponsors Paragon, Würk, intellicents, CohnReznick, and CannaPlanners for helping us make the evening truly epic. And a huge thank you to our incredible event producer, Radiant J. Productions, whose attention to detail made the night seamless.
Smoke & Magic served as a reminder that we intentionally build community, not by chance.
A Summit That Recharged HR Leaders
The centerpiece of the week was FlowerHire’s third Cannabis HR Leadership Summit, and it was the most emotionally resonant and impactful part of our Vegas experience.
HR professionals in cannabis often operate under immense pressure, balancing labor relations, culture, compliance, and growth, often with limited resources and little peer support. The summit was designed to change that, even if just for one day.
From the moment attendees walked into the room, the energy shifted. Icebreakers quickly turned strangers into peers. Senior HR leaders from large MSOs found themselves sitting next to leaders from smaller operators, all facing strikingly similar challenges.
One particularly meaningful moment of the day was the presentation of the Cannies Award for Best People Leader, awarded to Chris Gaughan. The recognition celebrated not just individual excellence, but the kind of people-first leadership that sustains teams through complexity, growth, and change. It was a powerful reminder that investing in people is what moves this industry forward.
The content of the day balanced strategy with practicality. Sessions and panels covered performance management, collective bargaining, succession planning, and the increasingly critical relationship between HR and finance. Alexander Pullen from SHRM gave an integral keynote that introduced frameworks such as the GROW coaching method that attendees could implement immediately.
Across the feedback received, several themes stood out:
- Leaders left with actionable steps they planned to implement right away.
- Many expressed relief at realizing their challenges were shared across the industry.
- Attendees valued the intimacy of breakout sessions and peer-to-peer dialogue.
As one participant shared, “The energy at this summit was unreal. We had honest conversations, new ideas, and a community of people who understand both the challenges and the possibilities of HR in cannabis.”
Perhaps most importantly, trust was built. Conversations that started over coffee or lunch turned into follow-up meetings, partnerships, and future collaboration. For our wonderful sponsors who made the event happen, the summit wasn’t about selling. Instead, it was about adding value to an often under-resourced department in cannabis.
A special thank you to them: Paragon, engin, Seed Talent, Symphony Grow, Würk, intellicents, Lockton, Leading Retirement Solutions (LRS), and NFP.
Why Vegas Still Works
Vegas remains unique because when people are there, they’re ready. Ready to meet. Ready to talk. Ready to listen. The meetings, conversations, and late-night reflections condensed weeks of connection into just a few days.
MJBizCon 2025 reminded us that cannabis is still challenging. But it also reminded us that when people come together with intention, there is still hope, creativity, and resilience.
For FlowerHire, the week reinforced a simple truth: when you center people, community, and trust, the magic continues to show up.
Save your spot for our next event!