Features

Sample cannabis with some buds at Tether event

Published on May 31, 2024 by Pat Bulmer

Photo: Contributed/Tether

Nineteen brands will come together for a cannabis sampling event in Kelowna on June 9.

Tether touts its sampling events as an opportunity for retailers and budtenders to learn about new products and industry trends, and to make choices about which products to stock.

“The Kelowna Sampling Event will be Tether’s very first event in the Okanagan, and second event in the BC market,” spokesperson Mackenzie Bentley says in an email response to questions from the oz.

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Tether describes itself as an community that connects and supports budtenders.

“The Kelowna event will feature 19 beloved brands (both local and national), including Amani Craft, Back Forty, BC Doobies, BC OZ, DEALR, Box Car, Broken Coast, Endgame, Glacial Gold, Kinloch Wellness, Potluck, Pure Fire Farms, Rocky Mountain, Station House, StratCann, Tasty’s, Valhalla FLWR, Weed Me, Wink, and Wyld,” added Bentley.

More than 200 budtenders, retailers, industry professionals, and community members will attend, the company says on its website.

“Tether’s regional sampling events have brought together the cannabis industry in markets across Canada, including Vancouver, Edmonton and Calgary, Alberta, and Hamilton, London, Toronto, and Oakville, Ont.

“Tether’s last eight events have sold out, bringing in crowds of over 250 budtenders, retail decision-makers, industry professionals, and community members,” says Bentley.

“Tether also has developed a strong network of brand partners based on its success, regularly seeing 15-20 brands activate onsite.”

Tether also has sampling events coming up in Ottawa and Saskatoon.

Photo: Contributed/Tether

The sampling events started in Ontario and then branched out across the country.

“We take great pride in the value that Tether events have provided the cannabis industry over the past three years,” says Katie Pringle, CEO and co-founder of Tether. “From hosting events solely in Ontario, we’re now able to orchestrate regional sampling initiatives from coast to coast.”

Those who attend the events find them to be a combination of education, networking and socializing.

“For budtenders and retailers, these events offer a chance to explore new products and uncover emerging market trends,” says Bentley. “Tasting and sampling events allow growers, brand representatives, and ambassadors an opportunity to discuss product education in a relaxed environment and showcase the team behind the brand.”

Tether has a number of other initiatives on the go.

“Tether showcases its dedication through various initiatives like direct mail campaigns, sampling events, custom content marketing campaigns, and brand activations,” says Pringle. “The community serves as a unique platform for networking, education, and community-building.”

Their annual Budtender Insights Survey gathers data, insights, and feedback from budtenders and retailers, allowing the organization to continuously refine its events and offerings.

The Kelowna event takes place from 6-8 p.m. at the Okanagan Mission Community Hall. Tickets are available at fannatickets.com.

The event takes place the night before StratCann’s day-long Growing Relationships conference in Kelowna.