Q&A: Cannabiz Africa's Brett Hilton-Barber and Cannabis Expo director Silas Howarth, 12 July 2024.

BHB: Why has the Gauteng Cannabis Expo been postponed to next year?

SH: The postponement of the Johannesburg Cannabis Expo to next year is part of a strategic shift in our annual expo schedule. Starting in 2025, we will be consolidating our expos into a single, grand event in one key South African city per year. This approach allows us to focus our efforts on creating larger, more impactful events that showcase the best of the international and local cannabis industry.  We are also planning on hosting The Cannabis Expo in other key countries across Africa and globally starting in 2025, announcements to be made soon. This new strategy will allow us to focus on one major cannabis event per country per year.

BHB: It’s common cause that there’s little money going around in the legal cannabis industry. To what extent has the Expo’s pricing of exhibitor stands been a factor in postponing the Gauteng show?

SH: While financial considerations in the legal cannabis industry are a reality, our decision to move the Johannesburg show to 2025 is more about strategically enhancing the quality and impact of our expos. By consolidating our resources into one major event per country each year, we can provide a higher quality experience for both exhibitors and attendees. This in turn will also allow for cost effectiveness for exhibitors.

BHB: What does the postponement say about the state of the SA cannabis industry right now?

SH: The change reflects a period of strategic consolidation and growth within the SA cannabis industry. By focusing on creating larger, more impactful events, we aim to foster greater networking opportunities, attract increased media attention, and facilitate significant business deals. This move indicates a positive step towards strengthening the industry and enhancing its visibility and influence both locally and internationally.

BHB: You successfully hosted the Mexico City Cannabis Expo; are there any plans to host similar events outside SA?

SH: Yes, we are excited to announce that we will be adding other African and International countries to our schedule for annual showpiece events. This new country-specific approach allows us to bring our impactful expos to various international locations, providing a global platform for the South African cannabis industry. More countries and dates will be announced soon.

BHB: What’s your assessment of the SA cannabis industry and its trends over the next 12 months?

SH: The industry continues to grow and innovate in South Africa and the wider region, and we are constantly being approached by new and exciting cannabis businesses wishing to showcase their products and services at The Cannabis Expo. We are excited to witness the developments over the next 12 months and to see all the new and innovative cannabis businesses on display at The Cannabis Expo in Johannesburg in 2025.

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