“Developments in the global MMJ industry raise tons of questions for growers and investors. How to deal with growing demand, higher need for efficiency, what are the challenges in upscaling and what technological possibilities can help your business, for example? Those are exactly the questions we can help growers with and that’s why we’re reaching out to this industry.” Speaking is Mariska Dreschler with GreenTech. The annual exhibition, organized 11, 12 and 13 June in Amsterdam, is reaching out to medical cannabis growers with a special knowledge program, route and pavilion.
Annually in June the international horticultural industry unites in Amsterdam to share the latest technologies, novelties and trends. The event unites 470 exhibitors and over 11,000 visitors from more than 115 countries. This year the organizers reach out specifically to the medical cannabis growers. “Growers come to GreenTech for crop optimization”, says Mariska Dreschler, exhibition organizer. “Whether it's vegetables, flowers or medicinal cannabis.”
Dutch hotspot?
It might be that the Netherlands believe they have a lot to offer for the horticultural industry – but can they also be the hotspot for the MMJ industry? Didn’t the US and Canada surpass the Dutch? Why sit in a plane for many hours to visit a Dutch event, when there’s a complete overload of MMJ events on the other side of the ocean? Mariska isn’t afraid to share what the Dutch event has to offer. “Of course it would be good if Dutch growers can participate in the developments in the MMJ industry as well, but let’s not forget Dutch suppliers are key already. Their technical solutions are used broadly and can help growers who face challenges like upscaling, energy optimization and better crop control. Optimising your crop is something the GreenTech exhibitors know by heart.”
Support
She explains how the GreenTech, though strongly supported by the Dutch industry, keeps its international scope. “Whether it’s in international greenhouse building, suppliers of climate control systems, water management, biological crop control or lighting systems – we are uniting the key players from around the globe. I believe the industry can go forward by sharing knowledge and insights. Bringing the industry together is an essential part for us”, Mariska says.
Many entrepreneurs doing business in the MMJ industry united at last year's edition. Check out last year's photo report here.
Medicinal cannabis pavilion
To guide visitors from the MMJ industry through this broad offer precisely and efficiently, a special medicinal cannabis pavilion with over 25 companies and also a medicinal cannabis route will be created, as well as talks on cannabis growing, discussing challenges and insights – sharing many insights in crop optimizing.
New crop, new challenges
Since cannabis is such a new crop, there are also new challenges in the market, and GreenTech expanded its focus to answer these. “We get many questions about the developments of the market, legislation updates and investment strategies, as well as the behavior of the product through the value chain. On top of our focus on crop optimization, we believe these topics to be relevant to growers as well.” On June 11th a half-day seminar is organized to answer questions regarding the cannabis agricultural industry, followed by a horticultural cannabis program on June 12th and 13th.
“It will be a place where good information is shared about how the cannabis world works and what opportunities it offers to growers and suppliers. We share the current state of affairs, making it interesting for both parties who are already working in the sector and for those for whom the sector is new.”
Outside the sector
In addition to developments within the MMJ industry, developments outside the sector are also considered. Automation is central during the Summit on 12 June. How do they do that in the maritime sector? Products are shipped with automated container ships that are controlled remotely. “How do you handle the risks? Many parallels can be drawn with greenhouse horticulture.”
Moreover, there is ample opportunity to build a network during the Summit and the exhibition around it. Mariska: “We attract the largest growers and suppliers of the world, whether it's vegetables, flowers or medicinal cannabis. It is a great place to gain knowledge and contacts that can help in getting a healthy business model. ”
Free registration for GreenTech Amsterdam until 4 June
If you want to visit Greentech, you can register here free of charge until 4 June. After that there is an online admission price of € 40 incl. VAT. During exhibition days, a ticket can only be purchased at the cash register for € 70 incl. VAT.
Check out last year's photo report here.
For more information:
GreenTech
www.greentech.nl
greentech@rai.nl