Hall of Flowers, a business-to-business cannabis trade show held at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds since its 2018 debut, will relocate to Sacramento this fall. The event is unrelated to the Hall of Flowers floral exhibition, which is staged annually at the fairgrounds.
After eight years in Santa Rosa, the move to Sacramento signals an effort to expand the show’s reach and accessibility, particularly given the city’s proximity to Sacramento International Airport and the state capital, according to co-founder Rama Mayo.
“The move to Sacramento reflects our desire to create an even more connected, accessible and dynamic experience for the industry,” Mayo wrote in an April 27 LinkedIn post. “Sacramento is home to many of the retailers, operators, brands and innovators helping shape the future of the industry.”
Kimberly White / Getty Images for OCB
Attendees participate in OCB Rolling Papers’ world record attempt for the most joints lit at one time at Hall of Flowers trade show and festival in Santa Rosa, Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024. (Kimberly White / Getty Images for OCB)
Kimberly White / Getty Images for OCB
Attendees participate in OCB Rolling Papers’ world record attempt for the most joints lit at one time at Hall of Flowers trade show and festival in Santa Rosa, Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024. (Kimberly White / Getty Images for OCB)
Kimberly White / Getty Images for OCB
Attendees participate in OCB Rolling Papers’ world record attempt for the most joints lit at one time at Hall of Flowers trade show and festival in Santa Rosa, Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024. (Kimberly White / Getty Images for OCB)
Courtesy OCB
Attendees participate in OCB Rolling Papers’ world record attempt for the most joints lit at one time at Hall of Flowers trade show and festival in Santa Rosa, Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024. (Courtesy OCB)
Courtesy photo
The Hall of Flowers cannabis trade show at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds in Santa Rosa in 2023. After eight years, the exhibit is relocating to Sacramento, and is scheduled to be held Nov. 4-5, 2026. (Courtesy of Hall of Flowers)
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Kimberly White / Getty Images for OCB
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Attendees participate in OCB Rolling Papers’ world record attempt for the most joints lit at one time at Hall of Flowers trade show and festival in Santa Rosa, Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024. (Kimberly White / Getty Images for OCB)
Hall of Flowers, an industry-only event, made an exception during its 2024 show at the fairgrounds, opening to the general public on the second day. That drew national attention, as 7,000 participants set a world record for the most joints lit simultaneously.
The trade show’s departure leaves a void in the local economy and tourism sector.
“It’s always a loss for the county when a major event moves to another location,” said Claudia Vecchio, president and CEO of Sonoma County Tourism. “The Hall of Flowers shone a spotlight on Sonoma County as a hub for cannabis and brought significant revenue to local businesses.”
Even as the trade show leaves, marketing cannabis in the region continues, Vecchio said.
“Sonoma County Tourism promotes cannabis experiences as they exist at lodging properties and within offerings from health and wellness practitioners,” she added.
Tim Zahner, executive director of the Sonoma Valley Visitors Bureau, said tourists are interested in cannabis, though the region has not yet reached the scale of other parts of the state.
“(We) don’t yet have the same kind of cultural critical mass that other parts of California do to make it a major attraction, especially in comparison to the overall wine and food and outdoors scene,” Zahner said.
Hall of Flowers held its trade shows exclusively in Santa Rosa until December 2021, when it expanded to Palm Springs. It later added Ventura County in March 2024 and held its first East Coast show in New York City last October.
The Sacramento event is scheduled for Nov. 4-5, though the venue has not yet been announced. All exhibitors must be vetted, according to the Los Angeles-based company’s website.
“Each exhibiting brand is reviewed to ensure alignment with the quality and standards of the show. If your focus is building retail relationships, opening accounts, and expanding distribution, Hall of Flowers is built for that purpose.”
Cheryl Sarfaty covers tourism, hospitality, health care, aviation and employment. Reach her at cheryl.sarfaty@busjrnl.com or 707-521-4259.