Interactively learn with industry leaders
Tackle business challenges with others just like you
Get inspired to take your
business to the next level
All hemp entrepreneurs and enthusiasts should have a place to connect, share ideas, and grow
Does this scenario sound familiar?
Searching for answers on the web is time-consuming and has you running in circles.
In-person conferences are great but infrequent, leaving you isolated the rest of the year.
Webinars can be unengaging, and don't always address your specific issues.
We have a solution: Hemp OpenSpace
We're offering a better way to connect with people who share your passion for hemp
We are OpenSpace Gatherings™, the team behind Hemp OpenSpace. We are committed to making the world a better place by supporting industries that nurture our communities and our planet. We understand the challenges you face in finding a vibrant, real-time community of hemp entrepreneurs who share the same level of passion and investment in hemp as you do. We are experts in building thriving communities where people connect, learn, share, and grow.
Our team has collectively hosted over 200 community-building OpenSpace events online
People rate us highly:
4.7 out of 5 stars
Participants from 47 countries around the world have benefited from our events
Network with these industry leaders
at the May 4, 2022 Hemp OpenSpace
LEADER PROFILE
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR,
HEMP INDUSTRIES
ASSOCIATION
Jody McGinness started as just the fourth Executive Director in HIA’s nearly 30-year history during the
first wave of the pandemic in mid-2020. The...
LEADER PROFILE
MANAGING DIRECTOR,
EUROPEAN INDUSTRIAL
HEMP ASSOCIATION
Based in EIHA’s Brussels office, Lorenza is a veteran policy advisor and
communication manager at the European level. She has led EIHA’s...
LEADER PROFILE
VP OF POLICY & ADVOCACY,
ELEMENT6 DYNAMICS
Hunter utilizes her experience working with regulators, policy makers, businesses, farmers and livestock producers to implement strategies...
LEADER PROFILE
PRESIDENT, VOTE HEMP
Eric Steenstra is a hemp industry pioneer, co-founding hemp clothing and lifestyle brand Ecolution with Steve DeAngelo in 1992...
LEADER PROFILE
CHIEF ECONOMIST AT
WHITNEY ECONOMICS
Serving an international clientele, Beau is considered one of the leading cannabis economists in the U.S. and
globally. His applications of economic principles to...
COO,
ABRAHAM PAISS &
ASSOCIATES
Zev serves as Chief Operating Officer of Abraham Paiss & Associates, Inc. where he provides consultation support to hemp...
Some past Industry Leaders:
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Doug Fine, Best-selling author and filmmaker
-
Jamie Campbell Petty, Executive Director of Midwest Hemp Council
-
Patrick Goggin, Co-founder and Chief Counsel of California Hemp Council
-
Sergiy Kovalenkov, CEO of Hempire
-
Frederick Cawthon, Board member of U.S. Hemp Roundtable and President of Verge Agritech
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Hana Gabrielová, Founder/ Executive of Hempoint
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Christian Gray, Partner at Atlas Consulting
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Mike Lewis, President of the Hemp Industries Association
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Franny Tacy, CEO of Franny's Farmacy
What makes Hemp OpenSpace so SPECIAL?
SERENDIPITY + INTERACTIVITY
Steve Jobs once said, "Creativity comes from spontaneous meetings, from random discussions. You run into someone, you ask what they're doing, you say 'Wow,' and soon you're cooking up all sorts of ideas." He attributed that creativity to serendipity.
At Hemp OpenSpace, your event facilitation experts create chance encounters throughout the event that foster serendipity. This ensures that everyone leaves with new connections, new ideas, and renewed energy for action.
Gain actionable insights from industry leaders and peers
Build your network with valuable connections
Collaborate with others to solve your toughest challenges
Because you set the agenda, you
discuss what matters to you
Hemp enthusiasts love Hemp OpenSpace!
95%
value the networking opportunities*
98%
would recommend Hemp OpenSpace to a colleague*
95%
rate Hemp OpenSpace as well organized*
"It was a phenomenal event!"
Franny Tacy, CEO of Franny's Farmacy
A special thanks to our media partner
Read the news at HempToday.net
How does Hemp OpenSpace work?
Wondering how Hemp OpenSpace events work?
Let's walk through the process, step by step.
1) Register for the next Hemp OpenSpace
We'll send you an email message that you can click to add to your online calendar. That message will include all the information you'll need to join the event from your computer:
-
Date and Time
-
Link to log in
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Pre-event instructions, including technical tips to ensure everything runs smoothly
2) Log on at the appointed time
After a brief wait, you'll be invited to click to enter the event. The event hosts will welcome all the participants, introduce themselves, tell you what to expect, and go over the community agreements we'll all follow to ensure everyone enjoys the event.
3) Participate in an opening activity
Hosts will facilitate an interactive icebreaker to limber up your mind, prime you for collaboration, and practice using the tools you'll need to navigate the day's event.
4) Meet the Experts
A handful of experts will each make a brief pitch for a short interactive conversation focused on their area of expertise. You'll choose which expert/topic you want to pursue, and click to enter their session. You can move between sessions at your leisure. You'll see a countdown as the sessions are closing, and will be transported back to the main room automatically.
5) Regroup / React / Rejuvenate
Back in the main room, participants will be invited to share feedback and insights from the sessions they attended. We'll all take a short break, then gather for another brief group activity to limber up for the participant-generated breakout sessions.
6) Generate Topics
Hosts will facilitate a brainstorming session that invites participants to suggest questions or challenges they'd like to address and/or offer advice on lessons they've learned through experience. We’ll create a breakout room for each topic, and explain how to move from one room to another.
7) Choose Your Own Adventure
You decide where to start, how to engage, when to leave, and where to go next. If at any time you find yourself in a room where you are not learning or contributing, go somewhere else. If you need technical assistance, a quiet room, or some private space for an impromptu conversation, you'll find places to do that. As the breakout sessions are coming to an end, you'll see a countdown before being transported back to the main room.
8) Give Reviews / Say Good-bye
We'll gather once again as a large group for a quick debrief. You'll be asked to review the event by participating in a painless poll to solicit your honest feedback. We'll compile contact information to distribute among those who wish to share it, and we'll all say good-bye. Your feedback will be used to improve future events, which you'll be invited to join.
Who makes Hemp OpenSpace events work?
Eric Steenstra
Eric Steenstra is a hemp industry pioneer, co-founding hemp clothing and lifestyle brand Ecolution with Steve DeAngelo in 1992. Eric was a founding member of the Hemp Industries Association (HIA) and served as Executive Director from 2008 to 2016. Eric now serves as the president of Vote Hemp, the political advocacy organization that he co-founded in 2000 and Vice President of the California Hemp Council.
Reggie Harris
Reggie has held key leadership positions at prominent Silicon Valley companies including Google and Dropbox. He is on the faculty of the esteemed Leela Improv Theatre and Training Center where he specializes in helping people collaborate creatively and effectively. Reggie holds a degree in Computer Science along with a focus on East Asian Languages and Culture from Harvard University.
Mallory Penney
Mallory has produced live virtual events for organizations spanning various industries including Genentech, New York Life, California State University, and Kaiser Permanente. Her experience as a stage manager ensures every production runs smoothly every time. She sees play as essential to optimal organizational effectiveness. Mallory holds a B.A. from the University of California, Berkeley in Theater and Performance Studies.
Greg Rodehau
Greg has held senior leadership roles in sales and global marketing in Consumer Tech and Media & Entertainment. He is passionate about building businesses and teams and has a track record of outstanding results and successful career mentorship. Greg holds degrees in business and computer science from SUNY Geneseo and an MBA from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.