The Missouri Growers Cup is set to return on September 8, with a new location and exciting new partnerships and offerings.
The event, now in its second year, will be held at a special indoor venue located just 20 minutes south of downtown Kansas City. This year’s competition promises a vibrant mix of live music, interactive games, diverse food carts, and a celebration of local art.
Special guest judge Mark Herer, from the renowned Jack Herer Family, will bring his expertise to the event, adding prestige and anticipation to the judging process. Live music will be provided by Rhythm Collective, ensuring a lively atmosphere throughout the day.
Nathan Marsh, one of the event organizers shared his excitement about securing Mark Herer as a special guest judge. “We have been doing cannabis events for 10 years in Oregon and we know Mark from his time living in Portland and being part of the cannabis community. He was happy to jump in as a judge for us.”
He also explained the decision to change the location for the Missouri Growers Cup this year. “We wanted to find a place that would be indoors and big enough for our vendor area and our awards hall.”
Last year’s event was heavily impacted by unexpected weather conditions wiping much of the days activities and engagement from implementation.
The new venue offers a spacious setting divided into two large sections: one for the Vendor Village and Canna Games, and another for the Award Hall and Main Stage. Notably, this year’s venue allows for on-site cannabis consumption, making it a unique and convenient location for attendees. Marsh discussed the significance of this feature. “The layout is perfect with two sections of the venue so it works really well for our format.”
“We wanted to pick a venue that would be convenient for everyone in the area and also be close to lodging for people from farther away,” Marsh said.
Missouri’s best cultivators can once again enter their products in various categories, including indoor flower, pre-rolls, edibles, concentrates, and more with separate categories for home growers.
Each category requires specific sample submissions to ensure fair and comprehensive judging. “You can go to our website for the full list of categories and requirements for each. After intake, we assign the entry a number and repackage it for blind judging. We organize the entries per category and judges are assigned to panels. We meet a week before the event to give the judges their judges pack,” Marsh said.
New partnerships have been formed for the 2024 event, aiming to enhance the overall experience for attendees. Marsh elaborated on these partnerships. “We have sponsors that are going to be giving away prizes. For example, King Palm is giving us a bunch of swag to hand out and Cannatrol is letting us give away two of their custom cure fridges.”
The Missouri Growers Cup is dedicated to inclusivity and diversity, ensuring that both large and small brands can participate. “We have priced our sponsor tiers to be low enough for small and large companies to be represented. We will have ADA access and bathrooms available and we are promoting the event to the whole cannabis community.” With Marsh stressing the value of including as much of the Missouri cannabis community as possible.
The event promises live music performances, with Rhythm Collective headlining. “We have an awesome reggae band, the Rhythm Collective. DJ Edge Lion will be on the decks.” Additionally, interactive games and prizes will be available throughout the day. “We giveaway a bunch of stuff at the cup and we have some interactive Canna Games set up so people can compete and have fun. One game, for example, is putting a joint on top of your forehead and trying to get it in your mouth without using your hands.”
The event also features a diverse range of food carts and local art, adding to the vibrant atmosphere. “BBQ, Mexican food, and some others we are confirming. Local glass art and vendors.”
The Vendor Village and Canna Games play a significant role in the overall experience of the Missouri Growers Cup. “Giving brands and vendors a chance to connect with the community is a big deal and the canna games are a fun way to win prizes and test your skills in things like Bud Pong.”
Sponsorship opportunities are available at various levels, each offering different benefits, including booth spaces, premium logo placements, and VIP access. Marsh provided insights into the different sponsorship tiers and their benefits. “You can see the different tiers and packages here.”
Reflecting on the growth from last year’s iteration of the Missouri Growers Cup, Marsh shared insights into the event’s journey. “We are here to bring the cannabis community together. Missouri has had a long history of criminalizing cannabis users and the new legality is a huge breakthrough in human rights for the citizens of the state. So our journey is bringing the community together instead of it being underground like in the past. We feel honored to have the experience we have in doing a cup the right way and including the whole community.”
Comparing this event to other cannabis events produced by the team in states like Arizona, Oregon, and Washington, Marsh noted the unique challenges and successes. “Each state has its own trajectory and building process as we bring the community together. We are excited to have a great year and show people we are here to stay. We look forward to making the event bigger and better every year.”
Grassroots activism and culture play a crucial role in the organization and execution of the Missouri Growers Cup. “Huge, we started as activists and the first Oregon HEMPFEST in 2015 was born out of a non-profit started in Oregon to represent local medical growers. We have been involved in multiple states advocating for decriminalization and smart regulations.”
Looking to the future, Marsh outlined the goals for the Missouri Growers Cup. “Our success has always been based on our ability to learn from mistakes and constantly evaluating how to improve the event and the cup itself. We are looking forward to growing with the community and our goal is to continue to produce a legit cannabis cup that represents the whole community.”
For more information and to sign up for cup entries, sponsorship, or vendor booths, visit www.MissouriGrowersCup.com or email missourigrowerscup@gmail.com.
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