WELCOME TO
HEAD IN THE CLOUDS
What started as a small-scale, invite-only gathering of local budtenders in a sectioned-off part of a production studio has blossomed into the most meaningful cannabis expo in Northern Ontario. Put together by the impassioned team at Golden Harvest, located on the outskirts of North Bay on Nipissing First Nation, HEAD IN THE CLOUDS is a grassroots-style event. While the expo is hosted by a retailer, it is far from a self-celebration; rather, it is a celebration of the industry and a dynamic social hub dedicated to the wider community. Just as the industry celebrates milestones like the removal of retail window coverings in Ontario, Golden Harvest views inviting consumers to this caliber of event as a similar triumph. While strict due diligence ensures all parties understand the distinction between a consumer-attendee and an industry professional, the meshing of both groups creates a profoundly meaningful experience. HEAD IN THE CLOUDS champions value for all
"When we organize this event each year, we are not thinking about profit or focused on patting ourselves on the back," the team notes. "We go into all of the surrounding dispensaries with our event flyers and encourage everyone who is passionate about the industry to attend. That's one degree of differentiation. Our customers know about the event as well and ask the team regularly when the next one is happening. We have had remarks to the effect of, 'I never thought I'd live to see the day where I could attend something like this openly,' from some of our older clientele. How can that not resonate with us and the attending representatives?
attending parties.
Food and drinks are provided, industry workers enjoy sampling opportunities, consumers get the chance to forge deeper connections with brands and their stories, and representatives have the opportunity to increase distribution for their respective brands. The team focuses intently on networking, drawing brand representatives from across Northern Ontario and beyond. In fact, many representatives actively seek to be part of Head in the Clouds, even when it falls outside their assigned territories, eager to join an expo that doesn't feel like a corporate tradeshow.
