Blunt Brunch to Nationwide: Building Community with Cannabis Events

On this episode of the Kaya Cast Podcast, host Tommy Truong sits down with Adelia Fakhri, co-founder of Blunt Brunch and EventHi, to explore how smart events can help cannabis brands launch, grow, and scale. From Blunt Brunch’s origins as intimate, women-focused conversations to EventHi’s evolution into a nationwide platform that powers cannabis-focused events, we dive into practical, battle-tested strategies for dispensaries and cannabis brands to build community, generate leads, and create memorable experiences. Learn how to set clear goals, pick the right audience, and design pre- and post-event touchpoints that actually convert. We discuss budgeting for early events, leveraging sponsors and partners, and the post-event surveys that turn attendees into loyal customers, all while navigating the unique banking and compliance hurdles of cannabis. Adelia shares lessons from iconic experiences like Sushi and Doobie and high-profile gatherings around MJ Biz Con, plus tips on venue selection, pacing, and scaling from small gatherings to large festivals. If you’re considering using events as a distribution channel, this episode is packed with actionable tactics you can apply today. Find more about EventHi at eventhi.io and Blunt Brunch at bluntbrunch.com, and connect with Adelia Fakhri on LinkedIn and Instagram. Adelia Carrillo is a leading expert in the cannabis industry, with over 15 years of experience in marketing and business development. She is the founder and CEO of Direct Cannabis Network, a media platform dedicated to providing the latest news and insights in the rapidly growing cannabis industry.With a background in traditional marketing, Adelia recognized the potential of the cannabis industry early on and has been a trailblazer in the space ever since. She has been featured in numerous publications such as Forbes, Entrepreneur, and the Huffington Post, and has been a speaker at prominent industry events including the Cannabis World Congress and Business Expo.As a guest on our cannabis business podcast, Adelia will bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise in the areas of marketing, branding, and business strategy within the cannabis industry. She is passionate about helping businesses succeed in this emerging market and has a deep understanding of the unique challenges and opportunities within the cannabis space.With her extensive experience and impressive track record, Adelia is a highly sought-after speaker, advisor, and consultant within the cannabis industry. She will undoubtedly provide valuable insights and perspectives for our listeners on the evolving landscape of cannabis business.Find out more about EventHi & Blunt Brunch at:https://bluntbrunch.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/adeliacarrillo/https://www.linkedin.com/company/bluntbrunch/ 00:00 Introduction to the Podcast00:21 Founding Blunt Brunch01:10 EventHi and Blunt Brunch Collaboration04:13 Creating Successful Events11:59 Setting Goals for Events16:10 Post-Event Strategies21:32 Challenges in Cannabis Event Planning24:39 Event High's Early Days and Beta Launch25:33 Impact of COVID-19 on Event High25:53 Most Successful Events on Event High28:42 Leveraging Event High for Large Events29:52 New Features and Enhancements on Event High34:08 Challenges in the Cannabis Event Industry36:59 Upcoming Events and Planning Strategies44:44 Building a Strong Community46:31 Where to Find Adelia Fakhri #kayacast #cannabis #tips #dispensaries #business #podcast