Cannabis Conference
Grow Up Conference Vancouver 2026
Canada’s Premier Cultivation Conference · January 19-21, 2026
Canada’s largest cultivation conference returns for its ninth year in the heart of BC’s craft cannabis region
Grow Up Conference 2026 returns to Vancouver as Canada’s premier cultivation summit. British Columbia has earned its reputation as the epicenter of craft cannabis in Canada. With 123 micro-cultivation licenses concentrated in regions like the Kootenays, a 14.9% year-over-year sales growth outpacing every other major province, and a consumer base that has shifted dramatically toward legal sources (72% exclusively legal in 2025, up from 55% in 2021), BC represents the beating heart of Canadian cannabis innovation.
Grow Up Conference 2026 brings together more than 3,000 industry professionals at the Vancouver Convention Centre from January 19-21, 2026. Now entering its ninth consecutive year, this cultivation-focused event has established itself as the essential gathering for Canadian Licensed Producers, micro-cultivators, facility designers, and technology vendors serious about production excellence.
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The March 2025 regulatory amendments represent the most substantial changes to Canadian cannabis rules since legalization in 2018.
For cultivation professionals navigating the significant March 2025 regulatory changes, including quadrupled micro-cultivation canopy limits and simplified packaging requirements, Grow Up Vancouver offers the operational intelligence and networking opportunities that define successful Canadian cannabis operations.
Grow Up Vancouver 2026 at a Glance 🇨🇦
Dates
January 19-21, 2026
Location
Vancouver Convention Centre, East Building, Vancouver, BC
Expected Attendance
3,000+ attendees, 80+ exhibitors, 100+ speakers
Official Website
growupconference.com
Confirmed
Last verified: December 25, 2025
Vancouver
Who Should Attend Grow Up Conference 2026
Grow Up Vancouver attracts decision-makers across the Canadian cannabis supply chain who are evaluating technology investments, facility optimization, and operational efficiency improvements.
Licensed cultivators and LP cultivation directors evaluating technology investments
Micro-cultivators exploring expanded 800m2 canopy opportunities
Facility designers and cannabis construction professionals
Grow technology vendors showcasing automation and environmental controls
Cannabis executives attending the expanded Executive Summit
Retail buyers utilizing the dedicated Retail Buyer Zone
Why Grow Up Vancouver Matters in 2026
The March 2025 regulatory amendments represent the most substantial changes to Canadian cannabis rules since legalization in 2018. For cultivation operations specifically, the quadrupled micro-cultivation canopy (200m2 to 800m2) fundamentally alters the economics of small-batch production. Nursery operations gained similar expansion, with flowering area limits increasing from 50m2 to 200m2.
BC’s market performance has responded positively. October 2025 sales reached $78.2 million, maintaining the province’s position as Canada’s second-largest market with the highest year-over-year growth rate among major provinces. The legal market share continues expanding, with 72% of BC cannabis consumers now sourcing exclusively from licensed retailers.
Security requirements were relaxed significantly: security-cleared personnel no longer need to be on-site at all times, and continuous video recording is no longer mandatory for standard licensees.
Health Canada Cannabis Act Amendments, March 2025Planning Your Grow Up Vancouver Trip
Whether you’re attending for the first time or returning to expand your network, these practical tips will help you maximize your conference experience.
🏨 Accommodation
- Book early – January hotel rates average $129-179/night in downtown Vancouver
- Fairmont Waterfront and Pan Pacific offer direct convention centre access
- Budget options available in Gastown and Yaletown within walking distance
- Lower rates than summer peak season, but book ahead for conference period
📆 Schedule Overview
- January 19 (Day 1): Executive Summit pre-conference for C-suite attendees
- January 20-21 (Days 2-3): Main industry conference with 60+ sessions
- Exhibition hall open throughout with 80+ exhibitors
- Canadian Cannabis Championship competition and networking events
✈️ Getting There
- YVR Airport: Direct SkyTrain Canada Line to Waterfront Station (~25 min)
- Convention Centre East Building at 999 Canada Place, steps from transit
- International visitors: Check visa/eTA requirements for Canada entry
- US visitors: Cannabis remains federally prohibited – do not cross border with product
🎪 If You’re Exhibiting
- Early booth selection typically opens 6-8 months before event
- Emphasize technical specifications and ROI metrics over general branding
- Cultivation-focused audience expects detailed product knowledge
- Contact event organizers at growupconference.com for exhibitor packages
Canadian Cannabis Regulatory Framework
Key Regulatory Topics at Grow Up Vancouver
- Health Canada CTLS Reporting: Monthly production volumes, inventory levels, sales, and distribution data due by the 15th of each month
- March 2025 Amendments: Quadrupled micro-cultivation canopy (800m2), relaxed security requirements, simplified packaging rules
- BC Provincial Framework: LCRB licensing, LDB wholesale monopoly, Direct Delivery Program for small producers
- Farm Gate Retail: Three operational Farm Gate locations in BC for direct-to-consumer sales
BC cultivation operations navigate a dual regulatory framework: federal Health Canada licensing and provincial LCRB oversight. Understanding both layers is essential for compliant operations. The BC Craft Farmers Co-op and Craft Cannabis Association of BC advocate for regulatory frameworks supporting small-batch production.
Related: Understanding Health Canada CTLS Requirements for Cannabis OperationsKey Decisions Facing Canadian Cultivators
Cultivation professionals face critical strategic decisions in 2026. Conference sessions address these fundamental positioning questions directly:
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Facility Expansion Planning
The expanded micro-cultivation limits enable small producers to achieve operational scale previously impossible, but require capital investment decisions around facility expansion and equipment upgrades
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Technology Investment Timing
Choosing between automation systems, environmental controls, and cultivation management platforms that determine operational efficiency for years ahead
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Craft vs. Scale Strategy
BC’s craft culture emphasizing hand-trimming, hang-drying, and terpene preservation commands premium pricing but faces margin pressure from larger operations
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Compliance Cost Optimization
The relaxed security requirements create opportunities to reduce compliance costs, requiring evaluation of which legacy systems remain necessary
What to Prepare Before Grow Up Conference 2026
Maximize your conference ROI by arriving prepared. Use this checklist to ensure you’re ready to make the most of every networking opportunity and business meeting.
Documents to Bring
- Health Canada license certificate (current)
- Provincial permits and authorizations
- Business cards (500+ for three-day event)
- Company capability sheets for partnerships
- Financial documentation for investment discussions
- Product samples documentation if applicable
Questions to Ask Vendors
- What ROI timeline should I expect from this investment?
- How does your system integrate with CTLS reporting?
- What training and ongoing costs should I budget?
- Can you provide references from BC operations?
- How do your solutions address March 2025 changes?
- What scale of operation is your product designed for?
What to Compare
- Environmental control systems (HVAC, dehumidification)
- LED lighting platforms and spectrum customization
- Automation solutions for fertigation and harvesting
- Compliance and seed-to-sale tracking software
- Facility design firms with BC cannabis experience
- Post-harvest processing equipment options
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions from cannabis professionals planning to attend Grow Up Conference 2026 in Vancouver.
Is Grow Up Vancouver a B2B event only?
Grow Up Vancouver is primarily B2B-focused, with approximately 70% of attendees representing licensed operations, vendors, and service providers. However, the Canadian Cannabis Championship component and certain networking events include consumer elements. Industry credentials are not required for registration.
Can international attendees participate?
Yes, international professionals are welcome. Most visitors to Canada require either a valid visa or Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) depending on citizenship. Note that cannabis remains federally prohibited in the United States, and border crossing with any cannabis products is illegal.
What is the Executive Summit?
The Executive Summit is a dedicated pre-conference day (January 19) designed for C-suite executives and senior leadership. Programming focuses on strategic planning, market analysis, and operational leadership rather than technical cultivation topics. Separate registration may be required.
Is there a virtual attendance option?
Contact the conference organizers directly at growupconference.com for current virtual or hybrid attendance options.
When does registration open for 2026?
Early registration is currently available. Sign up for the Grow Up Conference newsletter at their website for announcements and early-bird pricing details.
What is the Truth and Reconciliation Scholarship?
New for 2026, this scholarship program reflects the conference’s commitment to Indigenous participation in the legal cannabis industry. BC already leads Canada in Indigenous cannabis partnerships through the BC Indigenous Cannabis Product Program.
Software Solutions for Canadian Cannabis Compliance
Navigating Health Canada’s CTLS reporting requirements, provincial compliance documentation, and quality assurance protocols demands comprehensive seed-to-sale tracking capabilities. For Canadian Licensed Producers and micro-cultivators, maintaining audit-ready records across every cultivation batch, processing step, and inventory movement is fundamental to license maintenance.
For operators evaluating cultivation technology investments at Grow Up Vancouver, GrowerIQ provides the compliance foundation that Canadian regulatory frameworks require, supporting batch tracking, inventory management, quality assurance documentation, and CTLS-aligned reporting workflows.
Ready to Simplify Your Cannabis Compliance?
See how Canadian cannabis facilities use GrowerIQ to manage Health Canada reporting and seed-to-sale traceability.
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About GrowerIQ
GrowerIQ is a complete cannabis production management platform. Ours is the first platform to integrate your facility systems, including sensors, building controls, QMS, and ERP, into a single simplified interface.
GrowerIQ is changing the way producers use software - transforming a regulatory requirement into a robust platform to learn, analyze, and improve performance.
To find out more about GrowerIQ and how we can help, fill out the form to the right, start a chat, or contact us.
GrowerIQ is changing the way producers use software - transforming a regulatory requirement into a robust platform to learn, analyze, and improve performance.
To find out more about GrowerIQ and how we can help, fill out the form to the right, start a chat, or contact us.