Last Friday and Saturday, Sept. 12-13, the East River’s Pier 36 was the place to be for anyone in the New York cannabis industry. Over 250 companies showcased their products to a crowd of over 4,500 attendees, including industry players and cannabis enthusiasts. Major multi-state operators (MSOs) like Weedmaps, Rove, Kiva, PAX, Papa and Barkley, Wyld, and many others brought their best activations, along with several New York-centric companies and organizations. Business-to-business events for the cannabis industry are rare in New York City, making Revelry NYC a highly anticipated gathering for both exhibitors and attendees. The event allowed for consumption and sampling, which is even rarer in the city. Co-founders Lulu Tsui and Jacobi Holland started Revelry NYC nine years ago with the goal of representing the cannabis community rather than catering to the “suits and ties” crowd. This focus on the plant and its people may be why Revelry NYC is thriving while other larger event companies struggle. Many exhibitors expressed their excitement about not only showcasing their brand but also connecting with other industry leaders. Liam O’Brien, co-founder of Fernway, a company that started in Massachusetts and has since expanded to New York and New Jersey, said that the event was going well for them, with a lot of traffic at their booth and successful off-site meetings. He also noted the rarity of events in New York that bring together all the companies and innovators in the industry. The positive buzz about Revelry NYC reached beyond the local community, with attendees like Jocelyn Sheltraw, co-founder and CEO of the product review app and website, Budist, traveling from California to experience the event in person. She was impressed by the bustling legal market and saw it as an opportunity to promote the MJBowl, which offers New York brands a national platform to showcase their products. The exhibit aisles were constantly packed, with booth staffers running to restock their supplies and give out more samples. Unlike many recent cannabis industry summits, Revelry NYC delivered on its promises, providing valuable new contacts and a vibrant atmosphere.
Revelry on the River in NYC
