We’re all still coming down from the MJBizCon buzz, but I don’t think we’ll ever get over how amazing this year’s events were. We were lucky enough to throw three separate events with three different energies, yet the vibes were always sky-high! If you didn’t get a chance to make it, or you want to relive it all over again, let’s do a rundown of each event and celebrate the unforgettable moments that made MJBizCon 2024 one for the books.
Golden Paddle Showdown
Remember the excitement of field day when everyone, athletes or otherwise, got the chance to try their hand at a sport just for the fun of it? That’s what the Golden Paddle Showdown felt like. And people really got into it! We’re talking full neon 80s-style sweatsuits from PayRio, matching jerseys from Headset, and looks of sheer determination from everyone.
The weather was gorgeous, the sun was shining, and the teams were more than ready to “get their pickle on.” What started with 30 teams of two slowly dinked and dwindled down to the final four: Team Pufli, Team Blunt Force, Team Gentlemen Smugglers, and Team Headset. After a tense battle, the two that were able to withstand the heat in the kitchen were Team Pufli and Team Headset.
Ultimately, Team Pufli took home the Golden Paddles, which consisted of James Lastowski of PufCreativ and Peter Kasper of Terpli. Great win, guys!
Blaze of Glory: Nevada Brand Showcase
After spending the day on the competitive edge, it was time to blow off some steam at the Blaze of Glory: Nevada Brand Showcase. We held the event at a funky, underground-style bar called Berlin. When we arrived to set up, an artist was already painting a mural of our unofficial mascot, Nimby. After organizing the space and welcoming the arriving guests, we floated around and took part in the party.
There were so many dope activities that it’s impossible to pick a favorite. The smores kits and hot cocoa stations were the perfect cozy treats, but the weather was nice enough to spend all night outside in the fresh air. The dab bar was a huge hit (pun fully intended). After paying a visit, the unlimited food and drinks really came in clutch.
The most unique experience by far was Box of Beats. Throughout the night, he had a station set up with his gear and a microphone hooked up to a pair of headphones with a chair sitting across the table. Partygoers were invited to sit down, put the headphones on, and let Box of Beats perform one-on-one.
When I sat down and put the headphones on, I thought, “Okay, this could be cool…” But once he started layering the track right in front of me, it mesmerized me. I closed my eyes and got lost in the music until he waved at me and pointed at his eyes, then at his mouth. I paid closer attention to his actions as he began beatboxing to add high-hats and synth-like sounds to the song. The next thing I knew, he’s fully playing the trumpet with just his mouth. I couldn’t believe it!
Once all of the parts of the song were pieced together, he started singing on top of it. I started looking around in an “Are you hearing this sh*t?!” kind of way, but then I remembered the party was just for me. I took in the rest of the song and thanked him profusely for sharing his talents with us.
At the end of the night, Box of Beats took over for DJ Ranch and played a set for everyone to vibe out together. At the end of his set, the crowd insisted that he play another song. As he was scrolling through options, someone called out, “Baby Shark!” His eyes lit up, and he immediately started building his own rendition of Baby Shark.
Either he is wickedly talented, or he planted a guy in the audience to request Baby Shark so he could finally play it. My money’s on the first one.
Breathe & Heal: Sound Healing Brunch
The energy at the Golden Paddle and Blaze of Glory was nonstop, which gave way to our much more soothing and centering event, Breathe & Heal: Sound Healing Brunch. This event focused on taking the opportunity to wind down and take a moment for ourselves, with our very own Anna Fae Henderson and Chelsea Bates leading it. Anna, a holotropic breathwork facilitator and reiki practitioner, and Chelsea, an intuitive sound healer, aligned their practices to bring a therapeutic pause to the organized chaos of MJBizCon.
We all took our places on yoga mats or in seats around the room and participated in what can only be described as a unifying experience. The power of simple tools like breathing and sound encouraged all of us to find strength within ourselves and in our voices. I could physically feel the energy shift in the room as we all shared in the fundamental and vital act of breathing and let the sound waves wash over us, creating a collective rhythm that united us in a moment of pure presence and connection.
At the end of the session, Anna and Chelsea gave us the opportunity to share their experiences with the group, and the common themes that weaved throughout the responses were the importance of slowing down and the importance of using our voices. We work in an industry that centers on a healing plant and thrives on innovation, advocacy, and community, yet it often moves at a breakneck pace.
Taking the time to reflect, connect, and speak out reminds us that our collective power lies beyond the products we create and in the stories we share and the change we inspire.
The EMJAYs
To top it all off, our team dolled up and headed to the Palms Casino to attend the prestigious EMJAY awards presented by Farechild Events. We cheered on our clients and connections as they accepted their awards until it was time for our category: Best Marketing Agency of the Year.
Our friends at Fat Nugs Magazine, Dustin Hoxworth and Daniel Crawford, were chosen to be the presenters for this award. We won this award last year, so we were going into it hopeful but realistic. There’s no way that we’d win two years in a row, right? But sure enough, Dustin and Daniel called our names, and we went up to accept the award for the second year!
We were (and still are) so grateful to everyone who voted for us and has supported us in any way.
A Million Thanks to Everyone Who Made This Week Happen!
As much love and work we put into this, we couldn’t have done it without the support of so many. Ann Brum from Joint Venture Co. is a one-woman machine organizing all three of our branded events and brought the party with her everlasting energy and endless collection of funky shirts. Bryan Bussey of WaxNax and Polar Gold was the definition of a team player when it came to planning the Golden Paddle Showdown.
Our sponsors, including our media partners, truly made everything shine. Your generosity and enthusiasm elevated every moment, and we’re so grateful for your contributions. Huge thanks to the brands that went above and beyond to fill our goodie bags with incredible products, making sure every guest left with a little something special.
Finally, to everyone who attended, cheered, and brought their energy to our events—you are the heartbeat of what we do. None of this would be possible without your support, and we can’t wait to create more unforgettable moments together next year!
