By Ashley Keenan

#CanndoraConnect series makes Waves among female industry professionals.

#CanndoraConnect does just that, it connects.  Building brands in the cannabis industry can be difficult, largely in part due to strict marketing regulations. Canndora Club, a lifestyle brand and online shop for women who enjoy cannabis, saw an opportunity in this restrictive space to support and engage women in a meaningful way. Canndora Club is hosting a series of networking events where people can learn, with heavy emphasis on interaction, as a way to support female entrepreneurship in Canada. 

What Are Canndora Connect Events?

#CanndoraConnect events are for both consumers and industry professionals, in order for them to introduce their brand and collaboration goals. The events provide a platform for female-identifying and non-binary people to meet, greet, and educate each other, as well as share information. The events also feature themed panel discussions where experts from various sectors of the industry talk marketing, regulation compliance, education, and more to help navigate the ever-changing cannabis landscape. 

“Canndora’s core values include supporting and engaging women in cannabis, both consumers and industry. We aim to provide value, education and a platform to promote brands created by, or targeted at, women.” said Katie Pringle, co-Founder of Canndora Club. 

The #CanndoraConnect event facilitates an attendee spotlight where event patrons can introduce themselves/their brand, say why they are here, and ‘talk to me if you need’ style promotional pitch.

Personally, I have been to two Connect events, almost one year apart, and what a difference a year makes! At my first event, I essentially said I had no idea what I was good at or why I was there, which was kindly received. The connections I made and the things I learned from that night started an unstoppable career change. A year later I stood in front of a room of my peers and mentors, that had helped me navigate my first year in the industry, and with shaky hands shared my (still in progress) elevator pitch. 

“#CanndoraConnect builds brands through collaboration and celebrates women in cannabis. We are all about moving business forward through productive and rewarding networking,” says Pringle, “Those who have attended our events let us know they value the networking and educational opportunities.”

The majority of the cannabis industry is male-dominated, which is especially apparent in leadership roles as reported by MJBizDaily. The statistics suggest women still face challenges breaking into the cannabis industry, especially in an executive capacity. Women are also subject to sexism in the cannabis industry, developing ‘power moves’ in order to avoid being taken advantage of. #CanndoraConnect provides a safe space for blooming cannaprenuers and industry veterans to connect, share vital information, and network in a capacity unparalleled anywhere else right now in cannabis. 

Women supporting women

In a true show of women empowering women, the event takes the shit hand of abiding by cannabis marketing regulations in Canada and turns it into an opportunity to create community and connections. Events also include goodie bags (who doesn’t love swag) and a delicious spread of nibbles for while you network and learn.

Want to experience a #CanndoraConnect for yourself? Grab tickets to their pop-up #CanndoraConnect event in Toronto this Saturday September 28th at the Cannabis Living Expo.