In my professional career I have been to many networking events. Some were better than others, however, they all followed the same cadence. Hurry and suck down a cocktail so you can grit your teeth and bare to get through the event. Then you pick from a marginally tasteful buffet, chuck a few business cards at the crowd, and bolt as soon as possible to go relax and smoke a bowl…. or put on my thinking cap I like to call it!
The event took place at the Metropolis at Optima Camelview Village. A swanky upscale shopping center and residence building at the top of Scottsdales notorious Old Town District. The Metropolis turned out to be a very cute little indoor/outdoor patio bar. I was immediately and warmly greeted by a chapter member and seamlessly checked in. The patio was jam packed full from end to end of Men and Woman alike.
I very quickly noticed the caliber of people I the room. I met lawyers, doctors, activists, and even parents looking for the right medicine for their children. Each time I shook a hand I felt more and more at home. The ability to meet so many passionate people at one time would have been incredibly overwhelming had I not felt so comfortable.
Cornucopia the Edible company hosted an award ceremony with lavish gift baskets anyone could appreciate. They also gave away an all inclusive trip to Cancun! Fortunitly the trip was deservedly won by one of my favorite bud tenders from Monarch in Scottsdale.
The food was also incredible. Hummus, some sort of delicious Asian inspired dumplings, and pesto with feta on crusty bread to name a few! I couldn’t help but to chuckle seeing a few happy harvesters taking up shop and grazing the food table through out most of the event. You think fat kids like cake? You have obviously never seen a buffet table at a Cannabis Event!
The event went way over the ending hours as no one seemed to want it to be over. Lots of different groups seemed to disappear and reappear the entire night and no one though any different. After many disappearing acts myself, a few cocktails, and an evening filled with intelligent Cannabis Conversations… I left the event…. Excited! Excited to see how far the Cannabis Movement has come, excited to see what 2016 might bring for Arizona, and even more excited to be a part of it!