New England Cannabis Convention Series

What New England Cannabis Convention Series does

New England Cannabis Convention Series (dba NECANN) is a privately held B2B event management company founded in 2014 and headquartered in North Attleboro, Massachusetts. The company produces state-specific cannabis industry trade show conventions across at least seven U.S. states (New Jersey, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Vermont, and Minnesota), positioning each event as an annual gathering of the host state's full cannabis ecosystem rather than a generic national show. Its Boston flagship has scaled to 300+ exhibitors, 9,000+ attendees, and 60+ expert-led sessions, and is described by the company as the second-largest cannabis convention in the US. Beyond exhibitions, NECANN operates the NECANN Cup product competition (launched 2019, spanning flowers, concentrates, edibles, beverages, topicals, pre-rolls, and homegrower categories), and supports programming through educational partnerships such as the 2026 Vermont State University collaboration tied to a 12-credit Cannabis Studies Certificate Program.

The company monetizes through a layered revenue mix: exhibitor booth fees and tiered sponsorship packages (Presented By, Badge, Programming, Lanyard, Gold, Event Partner), paid attendee registrations (with free admission for licensees and qualified buyers), NECANN Cup entry fees paid by licensed cultivators and brands, and paid ancillary services such as Captello's lead retrieval tool at $195 per show. Direct sales outreach to exhibitors and sponsors is executed by a small leadership team (1–10 employees total) including VP Business Development, Sales and Marketing, Sales and Partnerships, and a Programming Manager. Distribution leverages a network of state cannabis trade associations and advocacy organizations (e.g., NJ Cannabis Chamber of Commerce, Minority Cannabis Business Association), and the company commits 10% of exhibit hall floor space to social equity licensees. Supporting infrastructure includes the Map D Events floor plan and booth sales platform, Captello registration and lead capture, and an active owned-media presence via the necann.com news portal and multi-platform social channels.

Operationally, the business runs an asset-light, founder-led model with no disclosed outside investors. Co-founder Marc Shepard serves as President alongside a small full-time leadership cohort (John Marshall, Kris Hultgren, Angela Florida, Kenya Alexander, and Eve Marie). Strategic emphasis is on deepening each state market through local-industry collaboration before moving to a new geography, supported by long-tenured recurring exhibitor relationships and a developing international educational partnership footprint reaching into Ghana.

Name

New England Cannabis Convention Series

Legal name

NECANN

Website

https://necann.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

New England Cannabis Convention Series (NECANN) is a privately held, founder-led B2B event management company that produces state-specific cannabis industry trade show conventions and product competitions across at least seven U.S. states, serving licensed operators, ancillary vendors, investors, and industry professionals.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Trade Show and Convention Services

NAICS

Convention and Trade Show Organizers (56192)

akta.pro primary industry

Industry-Specific B2B Trade Show Organizers (THAHABAB)

Keywords

• Cannabis trade shows
• B2B event management
• Convention services
• Cannabis industry events
• Exhibitor sponsorship

Headquarters

HQ city

Attleboro Falls

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Exhibitor and Sponsor Fees: Primary revenue stream from businesses paying to exhibit at NECANN conventions. Exhibitors gain access to highly targeted audiences of cannabis industry professionals, with tiered booth options and sponsorship packages available.
2. Attendee Ticket Sales: Convention admission tickets sold to industry professionals, with free admission offered to licensees and qualified buyers. Ticket tiers include general admission and VIP options.
3. Sponsorship Packages: Various sponsorship tiers including Presented By, Badge Sponsor, Programming Sponsor, Lanyard Sponsor, Gold, and Event Partner levels.
4. NECANN Cup Competition Fees: Licensed cultivators and brands pay entry fees to compete in the NECANN Cup, the largest cannabis competition in each state market they serve.
5. Lead Retrieval Services: Optional paid service for exhibitors to capture and manage leads during conventions, priced at $195 per show.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

NECANN produces a portfolio of state-specific B2B cannabis industry trade show conventions held annually across the eastern and central United States, including New Jersey, Rhode Island, Massachusetts (Boston), Pennsylvania, Virginia, Vermont, and Minnesota. The company sells exhibitor booths, multi-tier sponsorship packages, attendee tickets, and entry into the NECANN Cup cannabis product competition, serving as a regional networking hub for licensed cannabis operators, cultivators, brands, retailers, ancillary businesses, and investors.

Product overview

NECANN (New England Cannabis Convention Series) operates as a B2B cannabis industry event company producing regional trade show conventions across the eastern United States. The core offering consists of cannabis conventions held in multiple states (New Jersey, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, Boston/MA, Virginia, Vermont, and Minnesota), featuring the NECANN Cup cannabis product competition as a signature component. Additional offerings include a Speaker Application Portal for industry professionals to apply for speaking engagements, Map D event management platform for floor plans and booth sales, and Captello lead retrieval services for exhibitors. The company also operates a cannabis industry news portal and maintains social equity initiatives including 10% exhibit space donations for social equity licensees and expungement clinics. The portfolio comprises the annual convention series as the primary product supplemented by competition awards, educational programming, and industry news content.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• NECANN CUP: The largest cannabis competitions on the east coast, featuring competitions for cultivators and brands across multiple product categories including flowers, concentrates, edibles, and more.

Products and services

• NECANN Cannabis Convention Series A portfolio of state-specific B2B cannabis industry trade show conventions held across the eastern and central United States, including events in New Jersey, Rhode Island, Massachusetts (Boston), Pennsylvania, Virginia, Vermont, and Minnesota. Each convention serves as a regional networking hub for licensed cannabis operators, cultivators, brands, retailers, ancillary businesses, investors, and industry professionals, featuring 60+ expert speakers, 120-300+ exhibitors, and thousands of attendees. Exhibitor booths, multi-tier sponsorship packages, and attendee tickets are sold as standalone offerings within each convention.
• NECANN Cup Cannabis Competition State-specific cannabis product competitions held alongside each NECANN convention, recognizing excellence across multiple product categories including flower, concentrates, edibles, beverages, topicals, and pre-rolls for licensed cultivators, brands, and homegrowers. Licensed operators pay entry fees to compete, with award winners recognized at each regional convention.
• Lead Retrieval Service for Exhibitors Paid lead capture service available to NECANN exhibitors at $195 per show, enabling exhibitors to scan and manage attendee leads during conventions.
• Exhibitor and Sponsorship Packages Tiered sponsorship packages and exhibitor booths sold to cannabis industry businesses, including levels such as Presented By, Badge Sponsor, Programming Sponsor, Lanyard Sponsor, Gold, and Event Partner. Pricing varies by convention and booth location, with social equity licensees receiving 10% of exhibit floor space donation.

Named customers11 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

29 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Vermont State University (VTSU)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVTSU named Educational Partner for 2026 Vermont Cannabis Convention. Partnership connects the state's largest cannabis industry gathering with VTSU's 12-credit Cannabis Studies Certificate Program. VTSU faculty will help shape convention programming, including panels, presentations, and hands-on workshops featuring cannabis professionals from New England and beyond. Partnership includes ongoing collaboration with government and educational partners in Ghana.
• Pennsylvania Cannabis Convention (PACC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNECANN partners with PACC (Pennsylvania Association of Cannabis Conveners) to produce the Pennsylvania Cannabis Convention, serving as an educational, networking, and business resource for the Pennsylvania Medical Cannabis community and industry.
• Minnesota Craft Cannabis GuildminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEvent partner for Minnesota Cannabis Convention, representing craft cannabis businesses in Minnesota.
• Minority Cannabis Business Association (MCBA)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerEvent partner for Minnesota Cannabis Convention, promoting diversity and inclusion in the cannabis industry.
• Minnesota Women Craft Cannabis (MWCC)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerEvent partner for Minnesota Cannabis Convention, supporting women in the Minnesota cannabis industry.
• Blunt BrunchminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEvent partner providing programming and community building at Minnesota Cannabis Convention.
• Ozone Simply HerbminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPresented By sponsor for New Jersey Cannabis Convention 2026.
• High Rollers DispensaryminorGTM or Marketing PartnerProgramming sponsor providing free shuttle service between convention and dispensary for New Jersey Cannabis Convention 2026.
• Beast Media GroupminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEvent partner for Beast Media Stage at New Jersey Cannabis Convention, featuring panels on policy, business, leadership, and culture.
• Blunt BunchminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEvent partner for Blunt Bunch Programming women's lounge at New Jersey Cannabis Convention, forging a vibrant community for women in the industry.
• Blaze ResponsiblyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerNon-profit partner running free expungement clinic at New Jersey Cannabis Convention to help residents clear cannabis-related convictions.
• Higher Elevation VTminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor/exhibitor for Vermont Cannabis Convention 2026.
• Vermont Federal Credit UnionminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor for Vermont Cannabis Convention 2026.
• White River GrowProminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor/exhibitor for Vermont Cannabis Convention 2026.
• Ledyard BankminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor for Vermont Cannabis Convention 2026.
• CannaPlannminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor/exhibitor for Vermont Cannabis Convention 2026.
• Magic MannminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor/exhibitor for Vermont Cannabis Convention 2026.
• Somewhere on the MountainminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor/exhibitor for Vermont Cannabis Convention 2026.
• NJ Cannabis Chamber of CommerceminorGTM or Marketing PartnerIndustry partner supporting New Jersey cannabis industry and NECANN conventions.
• Massachusetts Cannabis Reform CoalitionminorGTM or Marketing PartnerIndustry advocacy partner for Massachusetts cannabis market.
• Minority Cannabis AcademyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEducation and advocacy partner promoting diversity in cannabis industry.
• Kush Media GroupcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerDigital marketing agency providing NECANN's digital marketing needs since 2014.
• OnPeakminorOthersOfficial hotel partner for NECANN conventions, providing accommodation booking for attendees and exhibitors.
• Talking Joints MemominorGTM or Marketing PartnerCannabis media partner publishing industry news and convention coverage.
• Cannabis JournalminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCannabis industry publication and media partner.
• NJ Cannabis Trade AssociationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerState trade association partner for New Jersey cannabis industry.
• Coalition for Medical Marijuana New JerseyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAdvocacy organization partner for medical marijuana in New Jersey.
• Longview StrategicminorGTM or Marketing PartnerStrategic communications partner for cannabis industry.
• iAnthusminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPresenting sponsor of Official NECANN After-Party at New Jersey Cannabis Convention 2026.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Hall of Flowers: Hall of Flowers is a trade-focused cannabis B2B show with emphasis on brands, cultivators, and retailers. Comparable as a B2B trade event and as a destination for the same exhibitor base that attends NECANN competitions.
• The Emerald Conference: The Emerald Conference is a science and B2B-focused cannabis conference. It is comparable in audience (industry professionals, brands, ancillary vendors) and educational-programming model to NECANN's NECANN Cup and speaker tracks.
• CannaCon: CannaCon operates regional B2B cannabis trade shows and expos in multiple US states. Directly competes with NECANN in the regional trade show model, targeting the same licensed cannabis operator and ancillary businesses.
• MJ Unpacked: MJ Unpacked is a brand and retail-focused cannabis industry event series. Directly comparable in B2B audience (brand executives, retailers, MSOs) and event-driven revenue model to NECANN's brand and cultivator focus.
• MJBizCon (Marijuana Business Daily / EmeraldX): MJBizCon is the largest annual B2B cannabis trade show in the US, operated by MJBizDaily/EmeraldX. It is the most direct competitor to NECANN for national cannabis exhibitor dollars and international brand visibility.
• Lucky Leaf Expo: Lucky Leaf Expo runs B2B and consumer cannabis expos across multiple US states. Comparable in trade show format with mix of exhibitors, attendees, and educational programming targeting the same operator and ancillary ecosystem.
• ICBC (International Cannabis Business Conference): ICBC produces B2B cannabis conferences in multiple US states and internationally. Comparable to NECANN in attendee mix of investors, operators, and ancillary vendors, with a similar state-by-state show strategy.
• Cannabis World Congress & Business Expo (CWCBExpo): CWCBExpo runs multi-city B2B cannabis trade shows across major US markets. It directly overlaps NECANN in format (exhibitors, programming, networking) and target audience of licensed operators and ancillary businesses.
• Cannabis Conference (by Cannabis Business Times): Cannabis Conference is an annual B2B event for cultivators, retailers, and manufacturers, produced by Cannabis Business Times. It overlaps NECANN on operator education, exhibitor base, and industry programming.

Regional players

• ExpoCannabis: ExpoCannabis is a regional cannabis fair and conference primarily serving European markets. While geographically distinct from NECANN, it is comparable as a multi-city cannabis trade show operator with similar exhibitor and consumer mix.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ne_cann
• YouTubeyoutube.com/c/Newenglandcannabisconventions
• Facebookfacebook.com/necanncon
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/necann
• Instagraminstagram.com/necanncon

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about New England Cannabis Convention Series