September gave the PufCreativ team plenty of reasons to get out from behind our screens. Over two days, our award-winning cannabis marketing agency hosted two gatherings in Denver, joined a conversation about brand culture at IgniteIt Colorado, and teamed up with friends in New York to produce The Velvet Hour NYC.
Different cities, different formats, and a lot of people to thank.
Events are a big part of how we participate in this industry, whether we’re taking the stage or working with partners to bring people together after the conference schedule wraps up. This September, we got to do both.
If we crossed paths, thanks for being part of it. If we missed you, here’s a look at what we were up to in September 2026, and who helped bring it together.
Three Events, Two Cities, One Busy September in Cannabis and Psychedelics
Let’s Dance: Cannabis & Psychedelic Industry After-Party at The Metlo Rooftop, Denver (Sept. 17)
On Sept. 17, we kicked things off ahead of IgniteIt Colorado at The Metlo Rooftop with Let’s Dance: A Cannabis & Psychedelic Industry After-Party.
The idea was to bring people working across cannabis and psychedelics together. Both industries have plenty to discuss. We wanted to give people a chance to connect outside the conference.
We curated the evening to feel open-ended. Guests could catch up with familiar faces, make introductions, and follow a conversation without watching the clock for the next session. That was the thinking behind Let’s Dance: a shared setting where people from both industries could get to know one another.
A big thank-you to Dentons, Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS), Keef, Karma Cannabis, and Flowhub for helping us bring the evening together. We’re grateful for their support in creating an opportunity for these communities to connect.
“Culture Is the Brand” Cannabis Branding Panel at IgniteIt Colorado (Sept. 18)
The next day, Sept. 18, PufCreativ CEO John Shute joined “Culture Is the Brand: Building Companies That Last” at IgniteIt Colorado.
Joining him were Swati Gupta, founder and CEO of Moondust USA; Amy Larson, senior VP of sales and marketing at Rx Green Technologies; Jon Spadafora, CEO of Flower Union; and Bryan Passman, co-founder and CEO of Hunter + Esquire.
The panel focused on a question we often consider: what gives a company staying power when the market matures, and products alone aren’t enough to set it apart?
“Whether you’re in a mature market like Colorado or a newer one like Virginia, building a trustworthy, consistent brand matters,” John said. “Know your target demographic, create a culture that resonates with them, and make it a place your team is proud to be part of. Do that, and your marketing investment will go a lot further.”
The session covered talent, product quality, authentic storytelling, and community. Together, these raise a bigger branding question: does a company’s presentation reflect how it actually operates?
That connection matters to us. A brand can have a great visual identity and a strong campaign, but the people and decisions behind it give those things meaning. John’s participation brought that perspective into a discussion with others working on similar challenges from different sides of the industry.
Mile High Psychedelic Mixer at the Dryden Club Room, Denver (Sept. 18)
On the evening of Sept. 18, PufCreativ hosted the Mile High Psychedelic Mixer at the Dryden Club Room in downtown Denver.
We curated the gathering around founders, researchers, advocates, and creatives helping move the psychedelic movement forward.
The mixer brought together people working across cannabis and psychedelics to exchange perspectives on where these communities are heading. We wanted to give those conversations room to develop, whether people were meeting for the first time or continuing an existing connection.
Learning what someone else is working on can start a new connection or help find shared interests. That was the thinking behind the evening: making introductions easier and leaving room for people to explore those connections in their own way.
Thank you again to Dentons, MAPS, Keef, Karma Cannabis, and Flowhub for supporting the mixer and helping bring another part of our September calendar to life.
The Velvet Hour NYC at Torches NYC, New York City (Sept. 18)
On Sept. 18, our work also brought us to the East Coast, where we produced The Velvet Hour NYC together with our friends at Verdant Strategies and Joint Venture & Co.
The invitation-only evening brought buyers, brands, and operators together following the Revelry Buyers’ Club trade show. We hosted the event at The Underground, the subterranean lounge at Torches NYC.
The evening built on the connections made throughout the day, welcoming guests to continue conversations and get to know one another. It also gave us a chance to collaborate with a production team and partners who each contributed to the gathering.
Thank you to our sponsors Jencap Group, Seed Technology, and ROVE for their support.
Chef Daniella provided food, and Phyre & Arts managed the beverage program. Additional recognition goes to Alibi Cannabis, Cleann, and Mt. Olympus Manufacturing.
And to our fellow producers at Verdant Strategies and Joint Venture & Co.: thank you for building this one with us.
Photo by Benjamin Wight, Dubside Photography. Take a look through The Velvet Hour NYC photo gallery.
A Month Made Possible Together
Looking back at the September calendar, what stands out is how many different contributions went into it. Sponsors supported the gatherings. Collaborators shared the production work. Venues provided the setting. People made time to participate. Our team’s role changed from event to event, too: hosting in Denver, contributing to the conversation at IgniteIt, and co-producing in New York.
That variety is part of what we enjoy about this work. There isn’t one format that fits every community or every occasion. The starting point is understanding why people are coming together, then shaping an event around that purpose.
To everyone who helped make these gatherings happen, thank you. We’re glad to have your names here alongside ours. Planning an industry event? Let’s talk.
