NoCo9 Hemp Pitch and WAFBA Award Winners Exemplify Innovation, Dedication in the Hemp Industry
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The ninth annual NoCo Hemp Expo, held March 29-31 in Colorado Springs, featured an awards ceremony and pitch slam.
LOVELAND, CO (April 11, 2023) – This year’s WAFBA Awards of Excellence were presented during a lively welcome reception to kick off the NoCo9 Hemp Expo at The Broadmoor Resort in Colorado Springs. Winners were announced to cheers and applause as industry participants gathered to celebrate the growth of the industry and its dedicated pioneers.
“I’m so glad to see everyone gathered again in the spirit of optimism and growth,” said Morris Beegle, producer of NoCo9 Hemp Expo and president of WAFBA, who presented many of the awards. “It’s great to see so many advances in the industry since last year.”
WAFBA Awards 2023:
Elevation Award (Advancing the Industry Through Impeccable Leadership)
Melissa Nelson
Someone who drives the industry forward by breaking down barriers, thus paving the way for others. They are an advocate who focuses on developing others while being committed to their own personal development. Their impact goes beyond the industry. Their values led them to influence positive change for marginalized, medically challenged or under-resourced individuals, communities and nonprofits.
2022 recipient: Carla Boyd
Community Economic Impact Award
IND Hemp
Someone who has demonstrated extraordinary stewardship by positively impacting their community through job creation and opportunity, contributing to clean-up, strengthening financial stability, inclusivity and leading by example. Dedicated to educating their community and developing bonds that will further their social impact.
2022 recipient: Melissa Nelson
Mother Earth Award (Lady of Agriculture)
Anndrea Hermann
A woman whose entrepreneurial spirit has ushered a new era of business leaders through her skills and execution in agriculture. She is a visionary who has cultivated relationships through education, inclusivity and collaboration. Her determination and dedication support our farmers and contribute immensely to building the supply chain, making her a trailblazer and an inspiration to others.
2022 recipient: Winona LaDuke
Best New Tech Award/Tech Innovation
Global Fiber Processing -- Structural Hemp Block
Bast Fibre Tech -- Sero Natural Hemp Fibre
A person or group whose work is at the forefront of the industry with their game-changing technical tools for improvement and impact to further the hemp industry. Their brand has grown exponentially over the last year, whose product or services filled a gap in the market or both.
2022 recipient: Corbett Hefner and Formation Ag
Carbon Solution Award
Patrick Brown -- Hempfinity/Brown Family Farms
Acting as a change agent through their processes and efforts by creating ways to reduce carbon emissions with their own practices and/or through the products they produce. They lead the way in lowering their carbon footprint while providing direction for others to do the same in the joint effort against the carbon crisis.
2022 recipient: Sergiy “Doctor Hemphouse” Kovalenkov
Legacy Award
Chris Boucher
This award is to honor a remarkable person whose legacy has and will continue to embolden others. They are well-respected and their efforts have not gone unrecognized. Their passion for hemp has not wavered. Their perseverance remained steady through challenges they may have faced over time.
2022 recipient: Tim Shaughnessy
The Das Award/aka The Service Award
Alex White Plume
Service is what life is all about. Service doesn’t have to be big and grandiose to be meaningful and make a difference. Goodness is the only investment that never fails. As we serve others, we are working on ourselves; every act, every word, every gesture of genuine compassion naturally nourishes our own hearts as well. Our rewards in life will always be in direct ratio to our service. Small acts, when multiplied by millions of people, can transform the world.
2022 recipient: Agua Das Ellis
Hemp Pitch Winners 2023
This year’s NoCo Hemp Expo also featured the second annual NoCo Hemp Pitch, where six finalist companies vied for prizes, including legal fees and other services.
Sponsored by Michael Best, a leading law firm serving the hemp and cannabis markets, the NoCo Hemp Pitch competition gave the finalists six minutes each to pitch their brand or idea to a live audience and to judges, who included hemp industry start-up consultants, attorneys and investors.
This year’s winners:
1st place: Bee Delightful, led by Skyler Johnstone and master beekeeper Daniel Weaver, produces wildflower honey from rescue bees in Central Texas and infuses the raw honey with a carefully extracted, naturally occurring cannabidiol (CBD) from organic hemp farms in Colorado, Oregon and Kentucky.
2nd place: Pure BioPlastics, led by Ed Lehrburger out of Colorado, creates hemp fiber produced by PureHemp, which has been manufactured and sold into various markets to make first-generation hemp plastics. During the past five years, the company has developed a new technology to convert hemp stalks into 100% bioplastics (second-generation hemp plastics).
Tree Free Hemp Charity Golf Challenge
The team from Sawyer Labs/Trusted Harvest won the first annual Tree Free Hemp Charity Golf Challenge, to benefit the Realm of Caring Foundation.
2024 Hemp Expo Announced
The 10th NoCo Hemp Expo will take place next year at The Broadmoor Resort in Colorado Springs, from March 20-22, 2024. To exhibit or sponsor, click here.
First Citizens Bank, EarthX, Patagonia Led Distinguished Group of Sponsors
NoCo Hemp Expo is pleased to recognize our Sponsors, including Presenting Sponsor First Citizens Bank. “Having a leading, agriculture-focused financial institution such as First Citizens Bank, with its 100-plus-year history of serving farmers and ag-related businesses, step up and serve as Presenting Sponsor of this year’s NoCo Hemp Expo is a huge statement, providing vital credibility and legitimization for the industry at a time when it’s needed most,” said Beegle. “We’re also thrilled to welcome EarthX as our Environmental NGO partner and Patagonia as Sustainable Apparel Sponsor. Additional lead sponsors include Global Fiber Processing, Michael Best, CannaConsortium, Advanced Bio-Materials Technologies, Divita Hemp Block & Weaving Vibes. We are very excited about these categories that bring focus to areas where hemp can make a difference in sustainability and improving the environment.”
About NoCo Hemp Expo
For a decade, NoCo Hemp Expo — the world’s most comprehensive industrial hemp exposition and conference — has brought together international business and government leaders, academics, nonprofits, media and the public to collaborate on important initiatives, opportunities and solutions for the future of a crop and an industry that can have significant positive impact on human, animal and planetary health.
NoCo is produced by We Are For Better Alternatives (WAFBA), a leading organization dedicated to the advancement and advocacy of hemp farming, processing, production, innovation, education and legalization. WAFBA also is the publisher of Let’s Talk Hemp, the industry’s leading news source. Learn more about the hemp and cannabis industry and subscribe to the latest news at www.letstalkhemp.com.
Contact
Morris Beegle, WAFBA, info@nocohempexpo.com
Steven Hoffman, Compass Natural, steve@compassnaturalmarketing.com, tel 303.807.1042
NoCo9 Speakers Urge Industry Unity Moving Forward
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The ninth annual NoCo Hemp Expo featured numerous speakers who emphasized the importance of the hemp industry heading into the future with shared goals and values.
LOVELAND, CO (April 4, 2023) – The 9th annual NoCo Hemp Expo, the world’s most comprehensive hemp business conference and trade show, featured speakers from all over the hemp business world, who came together to move the industry forward with examinations of policy, processing, supply chain and opportunity. Over three days of programming, speakers and workshops focused on the need for a united voice if the industry is to achieve its potential.
In his opening remarks, show producer Morris Beegle noted that industry leaders agree on 95% of what needs to be done to advance the hemp supply chain. “We need to leave the 5% behind and join hands to march with one voice to make this hemp industry what we know it can be,” he said.
Longtime industry leader and cannabis legal expert Bob Hoban echoed the message, urging hemp industry participants to look at their competition as “co-opetition” and reminding the audience that the hemp supply chain is complex. “Everyone is under the misconception that they can do things on their own,” he said.
Unprecedented Partnership and Collaboration
Jared Stanley, chief operating officer of CBD company Charlotte’s Web, said partnerships like the one his firm has with Major League Baseball will propel the hemp industry’s success. “Education is the foundation of our partnership,” he said. Stanley also noted that the company’s mission and vision “aligned” with the MLB’s, with both organizations dedicated to player wellness. It is the first such partnership for a CBD brand and a national athletic league.
In an unprecedented meeting, over 50 participants from more than 10 hemp advocacy and policy organizations gathered to emphasize the points where they agree on moving federal policy ahead. U.S. Hemp Roundtable General Counsel Jonathan Miller opened the meeting by saying that he hoped participants would stay positive and work together to gain more policy advantages for the industry.
Expo producer Morris Beegle was upbeat.
“I have always focused on optimism, positivity and bringing industry stakeholders together,” Beegle said. “I’m pleased with the energy and outcome of this year's three-day show.”
NoCo Hemp Expo will take place again next year at The Broadmoor Resort in Colorado Springs, from March 20-22, 2024.
First Citizens Bank, EarthX, Patagonia Led Distinguished Group of Sponsors
NoCo Hemp Expo is pleased to recognize our Sponsors, including Presenting Sponsor First Citizens Bank. “Having a leading, agriculture-focused financial institution such as First Citizens Bank, with its 100-plus-year history of serving farmers and ag-related businesses, step up and serve as Presenting Sponsor of this year’s NoCo Hemp Expo is a huge statement, providing vital credibility and legitimization for the industry at a time when it’s needed most,” said Beegle. “We’re also thrilled to welcome EarthX as our Environmental NGO partner and Patagonia as Sustainable Apparel Sponsor. Additional lead sponsors include Global Fiber Processing, Michael Best, CannaConsortium, Advanced Bio-Materials Technologies, Divita Hemp Block & Weaving Vibes. We are very excited about these categories that bring focus to areas where hemp can make a difference in sustainability and improving the environment.”
2024 NoCo10 Announced
The 10th NoCo event will be held at The Broadmoor from March 20-22, 2024. To exhibit or sponsor, click here.
About NoCo Hemp Expo
For a decade, NoCo Hemp Expo — the world’s most comprehensive industrial hemp exposition and conference — has brought together international business and government leaders, academics, nonprofits, media and the public to collaborate on important initiatives, opportunities and solutions for the future of a crop and an industry that can have significant positive impact on human, animal and planetary health.
NoCo is produced by We Are For Better Alternatives (WAFBA), a leading organization dedicated to the advancement and advocacy of hemp farming, processing, production, innovation, education and legalization. WAFBA also is the publisher of Let’s Talk Hemp, the industry’s leading news source. Learn more about the hemp and cannabis industry and subscribe to the latest news at www.letstalkhemp.com.
Contact
Morris Beegle, WAFBA, info@nocohempexpo.com
Steven Hoffman, Compass Natural, steve@compassnaturalmarketing.com, tel 303.807.1042
NoCo9 Kicks Off at the Broadmoor Resort Newly Renovated to Include Green Initiatives
The ninth annual NoCo Hemp Expo begins Tuesday with a charity golf tournament followed by three robust days of programming in Colorado Springs
LOVELAND, CO (March 27, 2023) – The 9th annual NoCo Hemp Expo, the world’s most comprehensive hemp business conference and trade show, will kick off with the Tree Free Hemp Charity Golf Challenge, a 10-hole golf tournament, from noon-4 p.m. on Tuesday, March 28. Players will follow a special format as they enjoy the outing at the newly renovated Broadmoor Resort.
The golf courses are just one part of the historic Broadmoor that has been completely overhauled with green initiatives in mind. The courses have been redesigned to be certified Audubon Sanctuaries, a stringent process that requires restoration of native bird and wildlife habitats. Over 50 acres of highly maintained turf grass have been replaced with native varieties of grasses and wildflowers. Irrigation and water reduction measures have been updated.
“NoCo is excited to partner with the Broadmoor to produce this year’s event. The environmental measures they have taken mirror the commitment of many in the hemp community to reduce our impact on the environment,” said Morris Beegle, producer of NoCo Hemp Expo, who noted that the 2024 and 2025 NoCo Expos will also be held at the Broadmoor.
The resort has also been improved with a state-of-the-art energy management system, updated insulation and thermal windows, water conservation systems, venue-wide recycling of all possible materials and an electricity reduction program, among other environmental measures in the resort’s Green Initiatives program.
About NoCo9:
Schedule at a Glance
- Tree Free Hemp Charity Golf Challenge, Tuesday, March 28
- Advocacy & Policy Conference, Wednesday, March 29
- Lake Terrace Welcome Party & WAFBA Awards of Excellence, Wednesday, March 29
- Business & Investment Conference, Thursday, March 30
- 2nd Annual NoCo Hemp Pitch, Thursday, March 30
- Agriculture & Academia Conference, Friday, March 31
- Experience Hemp Expo Hall, Thursday and Friday, March 30-31
- ”Garden of the Hemp Gods” NoCo9 After Party, Friday, March 31
Social and Networking Events at NoCo9:
Attendees can also expect a robust set of business networking and social opportunities, beginning with the WAFBA Awards of Excellence Celebration and Welcome Party on the evening of Wednesday, March 29, 6:30-9 p.m., the first day of NoCo Hemp Expo. Outstanding individuals and/or groups in the hemp industry will be recognized at the ceremony to be held during the event and will feature the music of Dave Beegle and Justin Boot and the G**Damn Ranchhand Band.
Closing the conference will be The Garden of the Hemp Gods Celebration -- The Official 2023 NoCo Hemp Expo After Party -- on Friday, March 31, at 8 p.m., where attendees can wind down, let loose and finish their visit with the high-energy rhythm and blues of Erica Brown and The Lionel Young Band. Festivities will continue until midnight in the beautiful Broadmoor Ballroom.
Experience Hemp Expo Hall – The World of Hemp Under One Roof
In addition to three days of comprehensive education, keynote presentations, workshops and seminars, NoCo9 will feature the Experience Hemp Expo Hall in The Broadmoor’s new, state-of-the-art exhibition facilities. Featuring a world of hemp and business opportunities, the Expo Hall will allow NoCo9 attendees to sample wares, learn about products and businesses, hold meetings and visit exhibitors. Hundreds of various hemp products and services will be available, including apparel, food, beverages, CBD supplements, body care, equipment, seeds and genetics, processing, manufacturing and white label services, raw materials and more. The Experience Hemp Expo Hall also will feature specialized zones, including:
Divita Hemp Block Demo Zone & Solution Circle – Visit this special educational zone on the trade show floor for solo presentations, panels, demos and workshops from experts and specialists innovating with hemp across all industries, from hemp textiles to medicinal applications of cannabinoids, to using hemp in artisan craft production, as well as in building and construction.
The Broadmoor Offers Special NoCo Hemp Expo Rates
NoCo Hemp Expo will take place March 29-31, 2023, at one of Colorado’s most historic resorts, The Broadmoor. With roots dating back to the late 1800s and located at the foot of the Rocky Mountains, The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs features a world-class setting, state-of-the-art meeting and convention space, a lake, walking paths, 36-hole golf course, spa, restaurants and lodging at a special rate for NoCo Hemp Expo attendees. Recently remodeled, The Broadmoor is committed to sustainability and has been awarded a Forbes Five-Star resort rating every year since 1960.
First Citizens Bank, EarthX, Patagonia Lead Distinguished Group of Sponsors
NoCo Hemp Expo is pleased to recognize our Sponsors, including Presenting Sponsor First Citizens Bank. “Having a leading, agriculture-focused financial institution such as First Citizens Bank, with its 100-plus-year history of serving farmers and ag-related businesses, step up and serve as Presenting Sponsor of this year’s NoCo Hemp Expo is a huge statement, providing vital credibility and legitimization for the industry at a time when it’s needed most,” said Beegle. “We’re also thrilled to welcome EarthX as our Environmental NGO partner and Patagonia as Sustainable Apparel Sponsor. Additional lead sponsors include Global Fiber Processing, Michael Best, CannaConsortium, Advanced Bio-Materials Technologies, Divita Hemp Block & Weaving Vibes. We are very excited about these categories to bring focus to areas where hemp can make a difference in sustainability and improving the environment.”
Exhibit and Sponsor
For more information on sponsorship and exhibiting, please visit https://www.nocohempexpo.com/sponsors-and-exhibitors-request/
Register Here for NoCo9
Visit https://www.nocohempexpo.com/ticket-sales/
About NoCo Hemp Expo
For nearly a decade, NoCo Hemp Expo — the world’s most comprehensive industrial hemp exposition and conference — has brought together international business and government leaders, academics, nonprofits, media and the public to collaborate on important initiatives, opportunities and solutions for the future of a crop and an industry that can have significant positive impact on human, animal and planetary health.
The 9th Annual NoCo Hemp Expo is produced by We Are For Better Alternatives (WAFBA), a leading organization dedicated to the advancement and advocacy of hemp farming, processing, production, innovation, education and legalization. WAFBA also is the publisher of Let’s Talk Hemp, the industry’s leading news source. Learn more about the hemp and cannabis industry and subscribe to the latest news at www.letstalkhemp.com.
Contact
Morris Beegle, WAFBA, info@nocohempexpo.com
Steven Hoffman, Compass Natural, steve@compassnaturalmarketing.com, tel 303.807.1042
Golf Challenge Among Many Special Events at Hemp Expo
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The ninth annual NoCo Hemp Expo will feature a 10-hole charity golf tournament as well as parties, music and networking opportunities.
What: 9th Annual NoCo Hemp Expo
When: March 29-31, 2023
Where: The Broadmoor Resort, Colorado Springs, CO
Agenda: https://letstalkhemp.swoogo.com/nocohempexpo/agenda
Info: https://www.nocohempexpo.com/
Register for NoCo9 tickets: https://www.nocohempexpo.com/ticket-sales/
LOVELAND, CO (March 21, 2023) – The 9th annual NoCo Hemp Expo, the world’s most comprehensive hemp business conference and trade show, will kick off with the Tree Free Hemp Charity Golf Challenge, a 10-hole golf tournament, from noon-4 p.m. on Tuesday, March 28. Players will follow a special format as they enjoy the outing at the world-class Broadmoor Resort. Proceeds will be donated to the Realm of Caring Foundation.
Founded in 2013, Realm of Caring (RoC) serves anyone in need of more information about cannabinoid therapies. Through revolutionary research, innovative education, and life-changing grants, RoC seeks to facilitate and encourage the mainstream acceptance of transformative, plant-powered therapies to benefit individuals and families and serve health care providers as well as the hemp and cannabis industries.
“NoCo is happy to be able to support Realm of Caring with an event that will allow conference attendees to get out, do good and have some fun together,” said Morris Beegle, producer of NoCo Hemp Expo and president and founder of We Are For Better Alternatives (WAFBA). His company Tree Free Hemp, a hemp paper company, is sponsoring the golf tournament.
Social and Networking Events at NoCo9:
Attendees can also expect a robust set of business networking and social opportunities, beginning with the WAFBA Awards of Excellence Celebration and Welcome Party on the evening of Wednesday, March 29, 6:30-9 p.m., the first day of NoCo Hemp Expo. Outstanding individuals and/or groups in the hemp industry will be recognized at a ceremony to be held during the event and will feature the music of Dave Beegle and Justin Boot and the G**Damn Ranchhand Band.
Closing the conference will be The Garden of the Hemp Gods Celebration -- the Official 2023 NoCo Hemp Expo After Party -- on Friday, March 31, at 8 p.m., when attendees can relax and finish their visit with the smooth sound of Erica Brown and The Lionel Young Band. Festivities will continue until midnight in the beautiful Broadmoor Ballroom.
About NoCo9:
Experience Hemp Expo Hall – The World of Hemp Under One Roof
In addition to three days of comprehensive education, keynote presentations, workshops and seminars, NoCo9 will feature the Experience Hemp Expo Hall in The Broadmoor’s new, state-of-the-art exhibition facilities. Featuring a world of hemp and business opportunities, the Expo Hall will allow NoCo9 attendees to sample wares, learn about products and businesses, hold meetings and visit exhibitors. The Experience Hemp Expo Hall also will feature specialized zones, including:
Divita Hemp Block Demo Zone & Solution Circle – Visit this special educational zone on the trade show floor for solo presentations, panels, demos and workshops from experts and specialists innovating with hemp across all industries, from hemp textiles to medicinal applications of cannabinoids, to using hemp in artisan craft production, as well as in building and construction.
Schedule at a Glance
– Tree Free Hemp Charity Golf Challenge, Tuesday, March 28
– Advocacy & Policy Conference, Wednesday, March 29
– Lake Terrace Welcome Party & WAFBA Awards of Excellence, Wednesday, March 29
– Business & Investment Conference, Thursday, March 30
– 2nd Annual NoCo Hemp Pitch, Thursday, March 30
– Agriculture & Academia Conference, Friday, March 31
– Experience Hemp Expo Hall, Thursday and Friday, March 30-31
– “Garden of the Hemp Gods” NoCo9 After Party, Friday, March 31
The Broadmoor Offers Special NoCo Hemp Expo Rates
NoCo Hemp Expo will take place March 29-31, 2023, at one of Colorado’s most historic resorts, The Broadmoor. With roots dating back to the late 1800s and located at the foot of the Rocky Mountains, The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs features a world-class setting, state-of-the-art meeting and convention space, a lake, walking paths, 36-hole golf course, spa, restaurants and lodging at a special rate for NoCo Hemp Expo attendees. Recently remodeled, The Broadmoor is committed to sustainability and has been awarded a Forbes Five-Star resort rating every year since 1960.
First Citizens Bank, EarthX, Patagonia Lead Distinguished Group of Sponsors
NoCo Hemp Expo is pleased to recognize our Sponsors, including Presenting Sponsor First Citizens Bank. “Having a leading, agriculture-focused financial institution such as First Citizens Bank, with its 100-plus-year history of serving farmers and ag-related businesses, step up and serve as Presenting Sponsor of this year’s NoCo Hemp Expo is a huge statement, providing vital credibility and legitimization for the industry at a time when it’s needed most,” said Beegle. “We’re also thrilled to welcome EarthX as our Environmental NGO partner and Patagonia as Sustainable Apparel Sponsor. Additional lead sponsors include Global Fiber Processing, Michael Best, CannaConsortium, Advanced Bio-Materials Technologies, Divita Hemp Block & Weaving Vibes. We are very excited about these categories to bring focus to areas where hemp can make a difference in sustainability and improving the environment.”
Exhibit and Sponsor
For more information on sponsorship and exhibiting, please visit https://www.nocohempexpo.com/sponsors-and-exhibitors-request/
Register Here for NoCo9
Visit https://www.nocohempexpo.com/ticket-sales/
About NoCo Hemp Expo
For nearly a decade, NoCo Hemp Expo — the world’s most comprehensive industrial hemp exposition and conference — has brought together international business and government leaders, academics, nonprofits, media and the public to collaborate on important initiatives, opportunities and solutions for the future of a crop and an industry that can have significant positive impact on human, animal and planetary health.
The 9th Annual NoCo Hemp Expo is produced by We Are For Better Alternatives (WAFBA), a leading organization dedicated to the advancement and advocacy of hemp farming, processing, production, innovation, education and legalization. WAFBA also is the publisher of Let’s Talk Hemp, the industry’s leading news source. Learn more about the hemp and cannabis industry and subscribe to the latest news at www.letstalkhemp.com.
Contact
Morris Beegle, WAFBA, info@nocohempexpo.com
Steven Hoffman, Compass Natural, steve@compassnaturalmarketing.com, tel 303.807.1042
Experience Hemp: 9th Annual NoCo Hemp Expo Offers 'Full Spectrum' of Educational Tracks, Networking Events
Experience Hemp: 9th Annual NoCo Hemp Expo Offers a ‘Full Spectrum’ of Educational Tracks, Expo Hall and Networking Events
December 9, 2022
For everyone with an interest in the business of hemp — from agriculturalists to investors, from entrepreneurs to product innovators, from retailers to researchers, and from advocates to the “hemp- and cannabis-curious” — the 9th Annual NoCo Hemp Expo offers a “full spectrum” of conference tracks to benefit you and your business. A networking lunch is included with each full-day conference track.
What: 9th Annual NoCo Hemp Expo
When: March 29-31, 2023
Where: The Broadmoor Resort, Colorado Springs, CO
Info: https://www.nocohempexpo.com/
Register for Noco9 early bird tickets: https://www.nocohempexpo.com/ticket-sales/
Loveland, CO (December 8, 2022) – The 9th Annual NoCo Hemp Expo will take place on March 29-31, 2023, at one of Colorado’s most legendary and historic resorts, The Broadmoor. Now is the time to reserve space to showcase your brand and products at this highly anticipated event – and certainly to mark your calendar to attend.
With roots dating back to the late 1800s and located at the foot of the Rocky Mountains, The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs features a world-class setting, 315,000 square feet of new, state-of-the-art meeting and convention space, a lake, walking paths, a 36-hole golf course, a spa, restaurants, and premium lodging at a special rate for NoCo Hemp Expo attendees. Recently remodeled, the Broadmoor is committed to sustainability and has been awarded a Forbes Five-Star resort rating every year since 1960.
This year, NoCo9’s educational program will highlight investment and finance, science, technology, innovation, industry and consumer trends, regulatory and legislative news, BIPOC and diversity in hemp, advances in research, best practices in sustainable agriculture, and more. Covering all aspects of hemp over three days of programming, NoCo9’s comprehensive educational program is divided into the following tracks:
Advocacy & Policy
Hemp businesses are required to operate in a highly regulated, rapidly evolving environment. As a result, it’s critical to pay attention to legislation and what’s going on in regulatory agencies including the USDA, FDA and DEA, as well as various state-by-state regulations. By staying abreast of current legislation before Congress affecting hemp, CBD and cannabis, the hemp industry has a unique opportunity to create the regulatory environment it seeks, but not without advocacy, vigilance … and knowledge. This track will feature policymakers, regulators, legal specialists, and legislative advocates involved in advancing the market for hemp from inside the Beltway and in states across the country. Learn how what happens in Washington, D.C., affects your business, and how you can stay involved to affect outcomes that favor business growth and ultimately create greater access to hemp-derived products.
Business & Investment
NoCo Hemp Expo’s Business & Investment Track will bring together top business leaders and investors from around the world in the exciting convergence of industrial hemp, cannabis, natural products, technology & innovation, infrastructure, diversity & inclusion, capital markets, banking & financial services, ESG, and more. Learn from the stories of entrepreneurs, experts, and leaders from publicly traded companies. Garner data and information from market and economic analysts about what trends are on the horizon and, from investors, learn what's drawing their interest, where they're placing capital in the hemp and cannabis markets, and where they see future opportunities and risks. Gain valuable insights about what lies ahead for the business of hemp in the U.S., North America and throughout the world, and interact with key business influencers and investors in the market.
Agriculture & Academia
Hemp is entering its fifth year as a legal crop in the U.S. after more than 80 years of prohibition. The industry has experienced growing pains, but it also has seen significant advances in hemp agriculture and production techniques, as well as a renaissance in hemp and cannabis research. NoCo Hemp Expo’s Agriculture & Academia Track draws skilled farmers, researchers, educators, and specialists in genetics and plant breeding, soil health, sustainable and regenerative agriculture, pest control, harvest and post-harvest handling and storage, testing and compliance, and innovations in value-added processing and product development. Exploring the latest science, research, methodology, agricultural economics, domestic and international trade, and what’s happening in universities across the country, this full-day event also will focus on programs farmers can take advantage of, e.g., carbon credits, banking services, crop insurance, farm, harvest and processing equipment, and more.
Experience Hemp Expo Hall – The World of Hemp Under One Roof
In addition to the educational program, NoCo9 will feature the Experience Hemp Expo Hall in The Broadmoor’s new, state-of-the-art exhibition facilities. Featuring a world of hemp and business opportunities in 100,000 square feet, NoCo9 attendees can sample wares, learn about products and businesses, hold meetings and visit with more than 350 exhibitors. The Experience Hemp Expo Hall also will feature specialized zones, including:
Solution Circle – Visit this special educational zone on the trade show floor for quick solo presentations from experts and specialists innovating with hemp solutions across all industries, from automotive to zero-waste.
NoCo Demo Zone – Experience hands-on demonstrations and workshops featuring traditional and new applications of hemp, from the making of hemp textiles to using hemp in artisan craft production, as well as in building and construction.
Schedule at a Glance
- Advocacy & Policy Conference, Wednesday, March 29
- Welcome Party, Wednesday, March 29
- Business & Investment Conference, Thursday, March 30
- 2nd Annual NoCo Hemp Pitch, Thursday, March 30
- Agriculture & Academia Conference, Friday, March 31
- Experience Hemp Expo Hall: Thursday and Friday, March 30-31
- NoCo Hemp Expo After Party, Friday, March 31
Register Here for NoCo9 – $499 early bird Platinum tickets are still available. Visit https://www.nocohempexpo.com/ticket-sales/
First Citizens Bank, EarthX, Patagonia Lead Distinguished Group of Sponsors
NoCo Hemp Expo is also pleased to recognize our Sponsors, including First Citizens Bank, which returns as Presenting Sponsor after a successful experience at this past summer’s 4th Annual Southern Hemp Expo, held in August in Nashville, Tenn.
“Having a leading, agriculture-focused financial institution such as First Citizens Bank, with its 100-plus-year history of serving farmers and ag-related businesses, step up and serve as Presenting Sponsor of this year’s NoCo Hemp Expo is a huge statement, providing vital credibility and legitimization for the industry at a time when it’s needed most,” said Morris Beegle, NoCo9 Hemp Expo organizer and president and founder of We Are for Better Alternatives (WAFBA).
“We’re also thrilled to welcome EarthX as our Environmental NGO partner and Patagonia as Sustainable Apparel Sponsor. We are very excited about these categories to bring focus to areas where hemp can make a difference in sustainability and improving the environment,” Beegle said.
NoCo9 also will feature networking events, as well as the much anticipated 2nd Annual WAFBA Awards of Excellence, recognizing top leaders, innovators, educators, policymakers, and advocates in the hemp community.
For more information on sponsorship and exhibiting, please visit https://www.nocohempexpo.com/sponsors-and-exhibitors-request/
About NoCo Hemp Expo
For nearly a decade, NoCo Hemp Expo — the world’s most comprehensive industrial hemp exposition and conference — has brought together international business and government leaders, academia, nonprofits, media, and the public to collaborate on important initiatives, opportunities, and solutions for the future of a crop and an industry that can have a significant positive impact on human, animal, and planetary health.
The 9th Annual NoCo Hemp Expo is produced by We Are For Better Alternatives (WAFBA), a leading organization dedicated to the advancement and advocacy of hemp farming, processing, production, innovation, education, and legalization. WAFBA also is the publisher of Let's Talk Hemp, the industry's leading news source. Learn more about the hemp and cannabis industry, and subscribe to the latest news at www.letstalkhemp.com.
Contact
Morris Beegle, WAFBA, info@nocohempexpo.com
Steven Hoffman, Compass Natural, steve@compassnaturalmarketing.com, tel 303.807.1042
Broad Spectrum Meets The Broadmoor: 9th Annual NoCo Hemp Expo Set for Historic Colorado Springs Resort, March 29-31, 2023
Broad Spectrum Meets The Broadmoor: 9th Annual NoCo Hemp Expo Set for Historic Colorado Springs Resort, March 29-31, 2023
September 6, 2022
Exhibitor, Sponsor and Speaker Applications Are Now Open as the Industrial Hemp and CBD Industry Is Set to Gather in Colorado Springs at the Historic Broadmoor Resort for the 9th Annual NoCo Hemp Expo, March 29-31, 2023.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
What: 9th Annual NoCo Hemp Expo
Dates: March 29-31, 2023
Where: The Broadmoor Resort, Colorado Springs, CO
Info: www.NoCoHempExpo.com
COLORADO SPRINGS, CO – With beginnings in 2014 in Windsor, Colorado, near Fort Collins, the Northern Colorado Hemp Expo, or NoCo Hemp Expo, has grown to become an internationally recognized event. For its ninth annual iteration, on March 29-31, 2023, NoCo Hemp Expo is moving a bit south and will host the world’s most comprehensive industrial hemp conference and exposition at one of Colorado’s most historic and iconic resorts, The Broadmoor.
With roots dating back to the late 1800s and located at the foot of the Rocky Mountains, The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs features a world-class setting, 315,000 square feet of meeting and convention space, a lake, 36-hole golf course, spa, restaurants, and premium lodging. Recently remodeled, The Broadmoor has been awarded a Forbes 5-Star resort rating every year since 1960. The resort is committed to sustainability in all its operations.
Photo courtesy of The Broadmoor Resort
NoCo9’s Theme: Stewardship, Sustainability, Sovereignty
The Broadmoor’s commitment to the environment ties in well with the theme of the 9th Annual NoCo Hemp Expo: Stewardship, Sustainability, Sovereignty.
“’The Earth is what we all have in common.’ That’s what farmer-philosopher Wendell Berry said. The hemp industry, like many others, took a hit over the past few years, given the climate with Covid and oversupply of CBD biomass. However, as we move past these issues, we are optimistic about a positive rebound and upward trend, and the diversification of hemp’s usage into multiple industries as we move forward into 2023, 2024 and beyond,” said Morris Beegle, President of We Are for Better Alternatives (WAFBA) and Producer of NoCo Hemp Expo.
“We are eager for an industry reset and a much-needed gathering of hemp leaders from around the world at our next NoCo Hemp Expo. The Broadmoor is a perfect place to host an international convention, elevate the hemp conversation, and attract larger businesses and corporations that should be considering hemp as part of their overall ingredient/input material and part of their ESG program moving forward into the next decade,” Beegle added.
The World of Hemp Under One Roof
Exhibits at NoCo9 will highlight the latest innovations in hemp, including the many product uses for CBD and other cannabinoids, hemp fiber in fashion and industry, hemp building materials, hemp paper and bio-composite plastics, food, oil and animal feed from hemp seed and more. The event also features a comprehensive educational program featuring a diverse lineup of expert speakers and topic material. “NoCo Hemp Expo is the one-stop gathering place for farmers, producers, manufacturers, innovators, entrepreneurs, investors and all others involved in or interested in the business of hemp,” said Beegle.
In addition, NoCo Hemp Expo is thrilled to host its 2nd Annual WAFBA Awards of Excellence Dinner, recognizing top leaders, innovators, educators, policymakers and advocates in the field, along with other networking events throughout the week.
NoCo9’s educational program will highlight investment and finance, science, technology and innovation, industry and consumer trends, regulatory news, BIPOC and diversity in the hemp industry, advances and best practices in sustainable agriculture, and more.
Applications are open now to exhibit, sponsor and speak at the 9th Annual NoCo Hemp Expo. Visit www.NoCoHempExpo.com.
About WAFBA and Colorado Hemp Company
We Are For Better Alternatives (WAFBA) is committed to researching and developing better alternatives so that hemp can once again thrive, prosper, and help individuals and communities throughout America and around the globe. The Colorado Hemp Company, producer of the 9th Annual NoCo Hemp Expo (NoCo9), is a leading organization for the advancement and advocacy of hemp farming, processing, production, innovation, education, and legalization in the USA. The entire team is committed to researching and developing alternatives, as well as informing and bringing the industry together so that hemp and other regenerative alternatives can contribute to the growth of a more sustainable environment, a green economy, and vibrant communities.
Visit www.WAFBA.org.
Media Contacts
Steven Hoffman, Compass Natural, 303.807.1042, steve@compassnaturalmarketing.com
Morris Beegle, Colorado Hemp Company, 970.541.0448, info@nocohempexpo.com