Latest news with #AlternativeProductsExpo
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Alt Pro Expo coming to Nashville in June 2025
NASHVILLE, Tenn., June 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- via CannabisNewsWire ('CNW') — After a series of blowout events across both North and South America, the Alternative Products Expo ('Alt Pro Expo'), proudly presented by ZJ Events, is ready to take Nashville by storm at the Nashville Expo 2025. This exciting, B2B-only, in-person event will take place at The Fairgrounds, 625 Smith Ave, Nashville, TN 37203 from June 19-21, 2025. The historic event area renowned for its sporting and entertainment culture fully embodies the unique blend of cultural vibrancy and economic dynamism that Nashville offers. Long hailed as the heart of country music and well known for its vibrant culture and dynamic business environment, Nashville is also a burgeoning hub for the alternative products industry. Centrally located in the southeastern United States, the prosperous city is experiencing a surge in economic growth, making Nashville the perfect destination for the next edition of the Alternative Products Expo. Sporting a $100 million vape and e-cigarette market with a remarkable growth rate of 30%, a strong retail culture driving 80% of sales, and further bolstered by a supportive regulatory framework, Nashville's rich tapestry, vibrant counter-cultures, the city is primed for a meteoric growth in exploring the thriving vape, hemp, and smoke shop industry. With a young and dynamic population hungry for fresh new experiences, the city is proving to be the heartbeat of innovation and opportunity, and provides the ideal market for brands to connect with buyers. The Alt Pro Expo promises to be the world's largest and most comprehensive event for the counterculture and vape industries. Featuring hundreds of top manufacturers, buyers, suppliers, innovators, vendors, researchers, aspiring entrepreneurs, and seasoned professionals, the expo is a beacon of innovation and collaboration. Renowned for its revolutionary business-networking atmosphere, the everything alternative expo showcases a diverse portfolio of cutting-edge products, spanning vape and hemp products, CBD, disposables, kratom, mushrooms, functional beverages, dietary supplements, nootropics, nicotine replacements, energy enhancers, mood changers, and a plethora of accessories. Leveraging the trend-setting and state-of-the-art exhibition space, the expo offers attendees unparalleled opportunities to connect with buyers and distributors, gain widespread brand exposure, and pave the way for long-term ROI. The venue serves as a nexus for networking and facilitating interactions with the nation's premier manufacturers and over 100 leading brands. Distinguished C-suite executives and senior company representatives from industry titans such as Wholesaler, Mellow Fellow, Gold Spectrum, Endo Hemp Wraps, and Keystone Farm CBD, among others, will be in attendance, and will share their insights over the three-day event, covering an array of topics, including the latest trends in product innovation, market dynamics, and industry regulations. Sebastian Carmona, Director of Partnerships, remarked, 'The Alternative Products Expo – Nashville Expo is the leading B2B-only event in the counterculture industry in the Southeast and is a hub for driving market awareness, showcasing the latest innovations, fostering collaborative networks and building a strong rapport directly with consumers. This three-day event welcomes industry veterans, established professionals and passionate entrepreneurs.' In addition to accessing exciting show specials, attendees will have the chance to participate in several exciting Buyer Programs such as The Ultimate Smoke Shop Giveaway - $50K, making the Alt Pro Expo a truly must-attend event for anyone in the counterculture industry. To seize this unique chance to be a pioneer in this flourishing market, and establish your brand in Nashville now and lead the future of the vape, hemp, and smoke shop industry, secure your tickets at To become an exhibitor or sponsor the expo, view further details at About Alternative Products ExpoAlternative Products Expo, formerly USA CBD Expo, is a production of ZJ Events. Our founders were once exhibitors who, after attending countless trade show events, saw an opportunity to build upon their experience and create an event that combined the best they had seen, with their own notion of what was missing in these business gatherings. By bringing the alternative community together, we seek to provide industry professionals from all corners of the market with an immersive and unique opportunity for networking and business expansion. For more information, please visit About IBN IBN consists of financial brands introduced to the investment public over the course of 18+ years. With IBN, we have amassed a collective audience of millions of social media followers. These distinctive investor brands aim to fulfill the unique needs of a growing base of client-partners. IBN will continue to expand our branded network of highly influential properties, leveraging the knowledge and energy of specialized teams of experts to serve our increasingly diversified list of clients. Through our Dynamic Brand Portfolio (DBP), IBN provides: (1) access to a network of wire solutions via InvestorWire to reach all target markets, industries and demographics in the most effective manner possible; (2) article and editorial syndication to 5,000+ news outlets; (3) Press Release Enhancement to ensure maximum impact; (4) full-scale distribution to a growing social media audience; (5) a full array of corporate communications solutions; and (6) total news coverage solutions. For more information, please visit Please see full terms of use and disclaimers on the InvestorBrandNetwork website applicable to all content provided by IBN, wherever published or re-published: Corporate Communications IBNAustin, OfficeEditor@ in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
09-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
China's dangerous vapes were on display in Miami-Dade —it's time to crack down
This past weekend, thousands of unregulated, untested and unapproved flavored vape products were on display at the Alternative Products Expo in Wynwood. From now on, to keep our community safe, we must keep Chinese vapes out of Miami-Dade. Right now, communities across the country, including right here in Miami-Dade, are being flooded with foreign e-cigarettes in kid-friendly flavors and packaging. This is due to gaps in our federal regulatory system and lack of enforcement from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which the Biden administration did not prioritize or, worse, flat-out ignored. There are millions of applications submitted to the FDA for e-cigarette products, yet only 34 have gained approval. With so few legitimate American-made products being authorized by the FDA, this has created a demand which has been filled by bad actors pushing illicit, unregulated products. When you couple that with the FDA's weak enforcement efforts, it creates a recipe for disaster that has only intensified over the last four years. While the Biden administration slept, dangerous vapes have crept into the hands of our children. Today, 90 % of vapes are illegally imported from China, and Florida is No. 1 in the nation for illicit vape sales. There is a sophisticated network of Chinese state-sponsored manufacturers at work aligned with Mexican cartels who exploit this trade to bankroll violent criminal enterprises, compromising our border security and making millions from preying on Florida's children at the expense of their health and safety. While youth smoking of traditional cigarettes is at a historic low, there is a swell in the use of illicit e-cigarettes among underage youth, according to the most recent National Youth Tobacco Survey. The brands teens are most likely to be drawn to are the very ones that are unauthorized: Lost Mary, Geek Bar and Mr. Fog, to name a few, are packaged with cartoon characters and come in a variety of candy-like flavors. Dangerous players also lurk. A Florida LLC is currently being sued in New York for illegal and fraudulent business practices that targeted underage users. Certainly, we can all agree that no company should market highly addictive, candy- and fruit-flavored nicotine products to underage consumers. Many dangerous brands were proudly showcased right here in our own backyard during the Alternative Products Expo. Thankfully, our Republican Florida lawmakers recognize the crisis and are stepping up to protect our children. Gov. Ron DeSantis last year signed into law House Bill 1007 to help ensure that vape manufacturers are required to register with the state and certify their products are compliant with both federal and Florida law. However, we need even more enforcement to stop predatory Chinese manufacturers from marketing their products to children without penalty. As we kick off the 'Golden Age of America,' protecting our next generation is a top priority for all Republicans. I commend Republican U.S. Sen. Ashley Moody who just communicated with new FDA Commissioner Marty Makary to take control of this epidemic on behalf of parents, children and our national security. I believe under the new leadership of President Donald Trump, the FDA can stop the flow of this illicit market and put a stop to foreign actors and cartels exploiting communities across America. We must take a stand against this criminal behavior and condemn those putting our children at risk. Kevin Cooper is the chairman of the Republican Party of Miami-Dade.
Miami Herald
08-04-2025
- Politics
- Miami Herald
China's dangerous vapes were on display in Miami-Dade —it's time to crack down
This past weekend, thousands of unregulated, untested and unapproved flavored vape products were on display at the Alternative Products Expo in Wynwood. From now on, to keep our community safe, we must keep Chinese vapes out of Miami-Dade. Right now, communities across the country, including right here in Miami-Dade, are being flooded with foreign e-cigarettes in kid-friendly flavors and packaging. This is due to gaps in our federal regulatory system and lack of enforcement from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which the Biden administration did not prioritize or, worse, flat-out ignored. There are millions of applications submitted to the FDA for e-cigarette products, yet only 34 have gained approval. With so few legitimate American-made products being authorized by the FDA, this has created a demand which has been filled by bad actors pushing illicit, unregulated products. When you couple that with the FDA's weak enforcement efforts, it creates a recipe for disaster that has only intensified over the last four years. While the Biden administration slept, dangerous vapes have crept into the hands of our children. Today, 90 % of vapes are illegally imported from China, and Florida is No. 1 in the nation for illicit vape sales. There is a sophisticated network of Chinese state-sponsored manufacturers at work aligned with Mexican cartels who exploit this trade to bankroll violent criminal enterprises, compromising our border security and making millions from preying on Florida's children at the expense of their health and safety. While youth smoking of traditional cigarettes is at a historic low, there is a swell in the use of illicit e-cigarettes among underage youth, according to the most recent National Youth Tobacco Survey. The brands teens are most likely to be drawn to are the very ones that are unauthorized: Lost Mary, Geek Bar and Mr. Fog, to name a few, are packaged with cartoon characters and come in a variety of candy-like flavors. Dangerous players also lurk. A Florida LLC is currently being sued in New York for illegal and fraudulent business practices that targeted underage users. Certainly, we can all agree that no company should market highly addictive, candy- and fruit-flavored nicotine products to underage consumers. Many dangerous brands were proudly showcased right here in our own backyard during the Alternative Products Expo. Thankfully, our Republican Florida lawmakers recognize the crisis and are stepping up to protect our children. Gov. Ron DeSantis last year signed into law House Bill 1007 to help ensure that vape manufacturers are required to register with the state and certify their products are compliant with both federal and Florida law. However, we need even more enforcement to stop predatory Chinese manufacturers from marketing their products to children without penalty. As we kick off the 'Golden Age of America,' protecting our next generation is a top priority for all Republicans. I commend Republican U.S. Sen. Ashley Moody who just communicated with new FDA Commissioner Marty Makary to take control of this epidemic on behalf of parents, children and our national security. I believe under the new leadership of President Donald Trump, the FDA can stop the flow of this illicit market and put a stop to foreign actors and cartels exploiting communities across America. We must take a stand against this criminal behavior and condemn those putting our children at risk. Kevin Cooper is the chairman of the Republican Party of Miami-Dade.
Yahoo
01-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Alt Pro Expo returns to Miami in April 2025
MIAMI, April 01, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- via CannabisNewsWire ('CNW') — After a series of blowout events across both North and South America, the Alternative Products Expo ('Alt Pro Expo'), proudly presented by ZJ Events, is ready to light-up Miami at the Miami Expo 2025. This exciting, B2B-only, in-person event will take place at the Mana Wynwood Convention Center, renowned for its cultural dynamism and innovative spirit, from April 3-5, 2025. Long-serving as the connective tissue between North and South America, Miami is also a bustling hot spot in the universe of alternative products, offering boundless opportunities to both local buyers and international markets. With its diverse array of smoke shops, Miami has emerged as a rapidly expanding global hub for the industry, strategically positioned as the gateway to the South American market. The city's rich tapestry and vibrant counter-cultures embrace a robust tradition of cannabis consumption, exemplified by its burgeoning vaping, hemp, and smoke shop sectors. Bolstered by a supportive policy framework, Miami's markets are primed for exponential growth. The Alt Pro Expo promises to be the world's largest and most comprehensive event for the counterculture and vape industries. Featuring hundreds of top manufacturers, buyers, suppliers, innovators, vendors, researchers, aspiring entrepreneurs, and seasoned professionals, the expo is a beacon of innovation and collaboration. Renowned for its revolutionary business-networking atmosphere, the everything alternative expo showcases a diverse portfolio of cutting-edge products, spanning vape and hemp products, CBD, disposables, kratom, mushrooms, functional beverages, dietary supplements, nootropics, nicotine replacements, energy enhancers, mood changers, and a plethora of accessories. Leveraging the hip, trend-setting, state-of-the-art exhibition space, the expo offers attendees unparalleled opportunities to connect with buyers and distributors, gain widespread brand exposure, and pave the way for long-term ROI. The venue serves as a nexus for networking and facilitating interactions with the nation's premier manufacturers and nearly 200 leading brands. Distinguished C-suite executives and senior company representatives from industry titans such as Pushin P, Lightfire Group, Habit, LeisurePay and ZANA KRATOM, among others, will share their insights over the three-day event, covering an array of topics, including the latest trends in product innovation, market dynamics, and industry regulations. Sebastian Carmona, Director of Partnerships, remarked, 'The Alternative Products Expo – Miami Expo is the leading B2B-only event in the counterculture industry and is a hub for driving market awareness, showcasing innovation, and building collaborative professional networks. As the industry flagship expo for smoke shop professionals, we're thrilled to return to Miami—a city with deep historical and cultural ties to South America. This three-day event welcomes industry veterans, established professionals and passionate entrepreneurs.' In addition to accessing exciting show specials, attendees will have the chance to participate in The Ultimate Smoke Shop Giveaway - $50K, making the Alt Pro Expo a truly must-attend event for anyone in the counterculture industry. Secure your tickets at To become an exhibitor or sponsor the expo, view further details at About Alternative Products ExpoAlternative Products Expo, formerly USA CBD Expo, is a production of ZJ Events. Our founders were once exhibitors who, after attending countless trade show events, saw an opportunity to build upon their experience and create an event that combined the best they had seen, with their own notion of what was missing in these business gatherings. By bringing the alternative community together, we seek to provide industry professionals from all corners of the market with an immersive and unique opportunity for networking and business expansion. For more information, please visit About IBN IBN consists of financial brands introduced to the investment public over the course of 18+ years. With IBN, we have amassed a collective audience of millions of social media followers. These distinctive investor brands aim to fulfill the unique needs of a growing base of client-partners. IBN will continue to expand our branded network of highly influential properties, leveraging the knowledge and energy of specialized teams of experts to serve our increasingly diversified list of our Dynamic Brand Portfolio (DBP), IBN provides: (1) access to a network of wire solutions via InvestorWire to reach all target markets, industries and demographics in the most effective manner possible; (2) article and editorial syndication to 5,000+ news outlets; (3) Press Release Enhancement to ensure maximum impact; (4) full-scale distribution to a growing social media audience; (5) a full array of corporate communications solutions; and (6) total news coverage more information, please visit see full terms of use and disclaimers on the InvestorBrandNetwork website applicable to all content provided by IBN, wherever published or re-published: Corporate Communications IBNAustin, OfficeEditor@ in to access your portfolio
Associated Press
31-03-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
IBN (InvestorBrandNetwork) to Serve as Media Sponsor for ZJ Events' Alt Pro Expo and BizCann Expo in 2025
NEW YORK, March 31, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- via InvestorWire — IBN ('InvestorBrandNetwork'), an innovative corporate communications firm and content distributor, is pleased to announce today that it is collaborating with ZJ Events LLC ('ZJ Events') as the media sponsor in 2025 for the multi-location Alternative Products Expo ('Alt Pro Expo') series across North, Latin and South America and the BizCann Expo ('BizCann') in Medellin, Colombia. Given the long-running success of earlier editions, ZJ Events' productions have forged a strong reputation as flagship event series in the global counterculture industry, and have garnered a unique reputation as revolutionary business networking festivals featuring hundreds of top manufacturers, buyers, suppliers, innovators, vendors, researchers, policy advocates, legislators and lawyers, budding entrepreneurs, and seasoned industry professionals. By providing access to world-class educational and networking opportunities, AltProExpo events have generated significant value addition in both traditional and emerging markets including Medellin, Miami, Nashville and Houston. Attendees harness invaluable insights, receive increased market exposure, and build exciting global connections. As the premier event in the traditionally lucrative South and Latin American region, BizCann offers a bridge to the rapidly emerging North American market, and a global network of buyers, suppliers, and retailers. The event series elevates canna-business opportunities in the region and drives a culture of business and policy collaboration. IBN will be collaborating with ZJ Events on the following events in 2025: Alt Pro Expo Medellin (March 1-2, 2025) Alt Pro Expo Miami (April 3-5, 2025) BizCann Expo Medellin (May 24-25, 2025) Alt Pro Expo Nashville (June 19-21, 2025) Alt Pro Expo Houston (August 7-9, 2025) Further details of events and information on additional conferences will be announced in the coming weeks and months. For each of these events, IBN will leverage sophisticated communications tools to optimize dedicated virtual coverage, including a syndicated article on each event with dissemination throughout IBN's network of 5,000+ strategic partners. In addition, IBN's social media accounts will broadcast live updates to more than 2 million followers across a variety of platforms. Zachary Bader, Co-Founder, ZJ Events, said, 'We are pleased to announce that our lasting collaboration with InvestorBrandNetwork (IBN) shall continue for our portfolio of events in 2025. IBN has been central to developing and executing our communications strategy, driving greater public awareness, and deepening engagement among target markets. In their role as Media Sponsor, IBN will deliver a high degree of visibility to our sponsors, partners, and speakers, while driving brand recognition via a portfolio of trusted brands.' Randy Clark, Director of Global Operations, IBN, stated, 'ZJ Events' Alt Pro Expo and BizCann events have been instrumental in shaping the global counterculture ecosystem, and have seen tremendous success in driving greater engagement between established businesses, entrepreneurs, policymakers, and consumers. We are pleased to continue to partner ZJ Events and support their portfolio of marquee events – Alt Pro Expo and BizCann. We look forward to working alongside their wonderful team, supporting their vision, and continuing our long-standing collaboration.' About IBN IBN consists of financial brands introduced to the investment public over the course of 19+ years. With IBN, we have amassed a collective audience of millions of social media followers. These distinctive investor brands aim to fulfill the unique needs of a growing base of client-partners. IBN will continue to expand our branded network of highly influential properties, leveraging the knowledge and energy of specialized teams of experts to serve our increasingly diversified list of clients. Through our Dynamic Brand Portfolio (DBP), IBN provides: (1) access to a network of wire solutions via InvestorWire to reach all target markets, industries and demographics in the most effective manner possible; (2) article and editorial syndication to 5,000+ news outlets; (3) Press Release Enhancement to ensure maximum impact; (4) full-scale distribution to a growing social media audience; (5) a full array of corporate communications solutions; and (6) total news coverage solutions. IBN
