PayRio at MJBizCon 2023
The Neon Capital of the World is about to get MUCH more lit… It’s time for MJBizCon!
Aubrey and select members of the PayRio team are heading to Las Vegas next week for MJBizCon 2023, and we are all beyond excited. Last year was our teams first time attending what some have come to call the “Super Bowl of Cannabis Conventions.” We were a small team who really didn’t know what to expect at this event. Personally, I was used to more culture-based Cannabis shows; Where you are allowed to smoke anywhere you want, and purchase Cannabis products at wholesale price direct from the manufacturer or farmer, like The Emerald Cup and High Times Chalice Cup… So attending a more formal, “industry-focused” event was very new for me. (So many blazers…)
This year, PayRio has a team of 9 hitting the conference floor. There are so many events happening throughout the week, it’s hard to keep track. So, I thought I would list a few things PayRio is either sponsoring or attending. We will be easy to spot in our bright pinks and blues, so if you see us, don’t be afraid to say high!
Brunches
Women in Cannabis are showing up more and more every year, and we are loving it! PayRio Founder Aubrey Amatelli and I will both be attending a few ladies’ brunches this year. The first being the infamous Blunt Brunch. The Blunt Brunch is an event series that travels the country bringing Women in Cannabis together. I’ve been a fan of this group for a while, and this will be my first time ever attending one of their brunches. Las Vegas’ Blunt Brunch is taking place November 28th from 12pm-5pm at the IPEC. You can find more info on the event as well as tickets here. I can’t wait to connect with so many other women who share the same passion as I do… Cannabis!
The 2nd brunch Aubrey and I will be attending is the Women’s Cannabis Awards Brunch. The Women’s Canna Awards is a female-focused awards show that will take place in the Spring of 2024. This event is meant to highlight and uplift Female owned or ran Cannabis brands. First place winners are guaranteed 1:1s with 30+ dispensaries across California! That is HUGE, since a big part of surviving in the Cannabis space is fighting to get your products on dispensary shelves. Aubrey and I are both serving on the Event Committee, and are going to be meeting up with our fellow WCA Committee Members for a Blaze and Brunch on the morning of the 30th. (Before we hit the MJBizCon floor.) We are both really looking forward to getting to hang with the ladies we usually see over Zoom, in person!
Watch Aubrey Amatelli Speak @ MJBizCon
You can catch Aubrey speaking on stage at MJBiz for the “Real Stories. Real Fast. Lessons from Other Women in Cannabis” Women in Leadership Forum. Taking place November 28th at 1:45pm at the Las Vegas Convention Center. She will be speaking alongside two other incredible women: Tara Joseph of Big Plan Holdings and Lisa Snyder of Tokeativity. You will not want to miss the conversation this powerhouse trio is sure to have!
If you are interested in seeing who else is speaking at MJBizCon this year, make sure to register your MJBiz Connect account, and download the app on your mobile device. Here, you will find a full list of all the exhibitors, a map of the conference, a list of Women and BIPOC owned companies, and more! You can also schedule meetings, chat with other attendees, and create a schedule of speaking events you’d like to attend. Definitely a very handy tool to get the most out of your time at the conference. (Don’t forget to add Aubrey’s event to your calendar!)
The Golden Paddle Pickleball
Want to see or participate in a standout event at MJBiz this year? Look no further than the Golden Paddle Pickleball Competition! Sponsored by PayRio and a few other amazing companies such as WaxNax, Fat Nugs Magazine, Last Prisoner Project, and The Emerald Cup. I’m not going to lie, I have never even seen a pickleball game, let alone participated in one, so I will be cheering on the PayRio team from the sidelines.
Bryan Bussey, CEO of WaxNax, has been working hard putting together this amazing event. “We aimed to unite the community in a unique way at MJBizCon, combining physical activity, friendly competition, and camaraderie.” Bryan told me. “So we curated the inaugural Golden Paddle Showdown Pickleball Mixer. Elevating the BizCon experience atop the iconic Plaza Hotel in Las Vegas. We’ll see you there!”
The team slots have all been filled, BUT they have an additional “Free Play” option. With that, you pay $10 for your paddles and drinks, and get to play a little on the side. Or you can attend the event as a spectator for free. The winners of the actual competition will take home a sweet $500, and even sweeter bragging rights. This promises to be a fun and exciting morning, filled with laughs!
Mixers and Parties
One thing there is NO shortage of in Vegas? A good party! And trust when I say that the Cannabis community really brings the heat when it comes to partying! PayRio will be sponsoring a cocktail mixer in the beautiful Chandelier Bar at the Cosmopolitan Wednesday, November 29th from 4pm-7pm. The Chandelier Bar at the Cosmo is always a MJBizCon afterparty hot-spot, with its multi-level shimmering chandeliers, it’s a glamorous yet laid back spot to unwind after a busy day on your feet at the conference. (They also have a “secret” drink that turns your mouth numb!)
As or after parties, the options are plentiful. I’ve compiled a list of after parties for the week. Some are free, some free with your MJBizCon badge, and a few require you to purchase tickets. Check out the links below for dates, times, and consumption rules for each event.
See you in Vegas, Canna people!