As hemp industry leaders, entrepreneurs, innovators, policymakers and advocates prepare to convene at the 9th annual NoCo Hemp Expo, the world’s most comprehensive hemp business conference and trade show, on March 29-31, 2023, at the historic Broadmoor Resort & Convention Center in Colorado Springs, finalists have been announced for the annual Hemp Pitch Competition.
“We are excited to see what these innovators bring to this year’s competition and how they are making a difference in the hemp industry,” said Morris Beegle, producer of NoCo Hemp Expo, and president and founder of We Are For Better Alternatives (WAFBA).
Sponsored by Michael Best, a leading law firm serving the hemp and cannabis markets, along with BuildMySOP and AVL, the NoCo Hemp Pitch competition features six companies looking to elevate their business and receive the exposure and resources they need to take their brand or idea to the next level. Prizes include more than $10,000 in value in legal fees and other services, including a complimentary 10×10 booth and seed sponsorship for next year’s NoCo Expo.
Finalists Selected for NoCo Pitch Competition:
Airetage is a sustainable fashion brand based in Chicago. Founded by Miles Lazar, the company produces high-quality hemp clothing for the conscientious consumer. Airetage’s products are made with a textile-grade hemp fabric blend that includes cannabis agri-waste.
Bee Delightful, led by Skyler Johnstone and master beekeeper Daniel Weaver, produces wildflower honey from their 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.
JuiceTiva, founded by Chris Boucher and his wife, Jen Hutchinson, is a family owned business based in San Diego that delivers bioavailable, raw, live juice powder, with a high amount of CBDa per serving.
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).
Regennabis, co-founded by Patrick McCartan and Geoff Trotter, delivers advisory, membership, events and investment services to the global cannabis and hemp industries, as well as to “canna-curious” Fortune 500 companies seeking insights into these nascent sectors.
Trusted Harvest Exchange, based in Colorado, is a proprietary contract platform led by William “Kyle” Guy that helps farmers, processors and end-use manufacturers get deals done faster, more reliably and with less risk. The platform performs contract execution, hemp regulatory compliance and carbon data management.
The finalists will have six minutes to pitch in front of a live audience and will be judged by hemp industry start-up consultants, attorneys and investors.
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
The post Finalists Announced for 2nd Annual NoCo Hemp Pitch Competition first appeared on Let’s Talk Hemp.
