At This Cannabis Conference, You Can’t Walk to the Elevator Without Meeting a Client, Industry Insider Says

For seasoned cannabis attorney Thomas Haren, few industry gatherings offer the blend of insight, access and community found at IgniteIt events. From the long-running Chicago Cannabis Capital Conference to the growing roster of regional Market Spotlight forums, Haren says these events stand out for their ability to bring key players together while creating a space where conversations flow, relationships deepen and new opportunities emerge.

Haren, a partner at Cleveland-based Frantz Ward, chairs the law firm’s cannabis practice, which has five lawyers dedicated exclusively to the cannabis sector. With nearly a decade of experience in the space, the firm represents cannabis clients in regulated markets nationwide.

Haren says Franz Ward has attended IgniteIt’s Chicago Cannabis Capital Conference for several years, citing the event’s ideal size for making meaningful connections and gaining invaluable insights from industry experts.

“It’s attended well by operators and other advisors, but it’s also small enough that there is some element of serendipity still at these shows,” Haren says in a telephone interview. “Just for an example, every year at the Chicago show, when you’re down at the lobby bar, you’re meeting new people, and you literally cannot walk from the bar to the elevator without seeing five clients.”

IgniteIt’s New Market Spotlight Events Stand Out

Following its success with the IgniteIt (formerly Benzinga Cannabis) flagship event, the firm promptly added the Ohio Market Spotlight to its calendar when it was scheduled.

“When we found out that the Benzinga conference split off into IgniteIt, and they were hosting one in Ohio, we jumped at the chance, obviously, to be involved,” says Haren.

With experience as both an attendee and a speaker, Haren says the gatherings can be rewarding for participants at all levels.

“At these shows, you get to actually talk with people and either reinforce relationships or build new relationships with people, because you’re all in the same place,” he explains. “You’re all there for the same reason, and it’s all the people you want to connect with to build either personal or business relationships.”

When asked if he would recommend IgniteIt’s Market Spotlight events, Haren says he sees value for a wide range of cannabis industry professionals.

“If you’re an operator in the space, if you’re a professional advisor, I don’t think there’s a better set of conferences.”

Upcoming IgniteIt Events

IgniteIt’s Market Spotlight events and the celebrated Chicago Cannabis Capital Conference offer unique insight into the cannabis industry from regulators, executives, lawmakers and other thought leaders. For agenda details, registration, and scholarship information for minority- and women-owned businesses, visit https://events.igniteit.com/. Upcoming IngiteIt events include:

New Jersey Policy & Capital Forum

February 10, 2026 — Jersey City, NJ

Missouri Policy Roundtable

April 2026 — Kansas City, MO

Chicago Cannabis Capital Conference ‘26

June 14–16, 2026 — Chicago, IL