We just returned from MJ Unpacked in St. Louis, Missouri, held September 3 – 5 at the historic Union Station Hotel. MJ Unpacked bills itself as a platform “curated for licensed operators, researchers, and investors to elevate their businesses and ignite new opportunities.” If you’ve attended before, you know that promise is delivered, and this show doesn’t miss. Here are a few highlights from our time at MJ Unpacked St. Louis. 

The Gong 

The best celebrations are not quiet. MJ Unpacked has a gong that is accessible during show hours. Close a deal? Bang the gong. It tells everyone in the event space that one, you just closed a deal (congrats!) and two, this event works. The echoing sound of success rings throughout the day, reaffirming attendees that attending this show delivers results. Yes, you can bang the gong just for fun, but frankly it feels better to earn it.  

Midwestern Microbusinesses  

There was clear thoughtfulness about who was encouraged to attend MJ Unpacked in St. Louis, and Missouri’s microbusinesses showed up in force. We met with so many operators eager to ensure their craft cannabis found an audience. MoCannTrade also hosted meetups and had a booth on the expo floor, adding even more resources and visibility for Missouri’s growing cannabis market. 

The Voices at The Slams 

MJ Unpacked has a way of platforming its people in accessible ways, and one of my favorites was the slam series. Throughout the expo hours, there were opportunities where thought leaders would get three minutes on the slam stage to speak to attendees. These slams ranged from focusing on brands to tech to budtender voices. We may be biased as 365 Cannabis got time during the tech slam to talk all things ERP, but we also loved the budtender slam. Seeing budtenders talk earnestly about what products speak to them was an energizing reminder of the front-line customer experience.  

The Puppies and Kittens 

MJ Unpacked did one of the best attendee-facing experiences ever committed to a convention floor, and that’s the puppy zone. St. Louis’s own APA adoption center set up two pens with adoptable puppies and kittens; the perfect de-stress destination. The staff were all kind and gentle with animals and attendees alike. Occasionally staff would take the dogs through the aisles so they could get a short walk in and meet the expo attendees. And while the puppies didn’t ask us about ERP software, we’re pretty sure they’d approve of streamlined operations. 

MJ Unpacked St. Louis once again proved why it’s one of the most valuable events in the cannabis industry. From celebrating wins at the gong to connecting with Missouri microbusinesses, learning from budtenders, and even pausing to pet puppies, the show delivered on every front. For us at 365 Cannabis, it was also an opportunity to show how a purpose-built ERP can support operators of all sizes. Whether you’re a startup microbusiness or a multi-state operator, our platform is designed to simplify compliance, strengthen operations, and help you scale with confidence. 

If you missed us at MJ Unpacked, we’d love to connect. Learn more about how 365 Cannabis can power your growth here.