I remember as a kid, the drive to Duluth from the Brainerd area always felt like we were leaving Minnesota and heading into another country.

We’d leave the tall pines and lakes of Brainerd and head through Aitkin… McGregor… and then into that strange, heavily wooded stretch of highway between McGregor and Duluth.

It felt like the last outpost of civilization.

So thick with trees, you half expected Sasquatch to step out of the woods and wave.

And then you came to the hill.

Suddenly, there it was.

Duluth.

The city below. The harbor. The big lake stretching farther than you could see.

That first glimpse never got old.

We’d head up the North Shore, stopping at one of those little smoked-fish shops along the way. Nothing fancy—just smoked fish, crackers and cheese.

Simple.

Perfect.

It’s funny how a place can live in your memory like that. One road. One view. One smell. One meal—and suddenly you're a kid again.

We want to help you create some of those memories, too.

Only this time, we're intentionally adding a little cannabis to the experience.

If you're planning on coming to the Canna Connect Cannabis & Community event on October 15th, don't just plan where you're going to park.

Plan where you're going to sleep.

Because there is a lot happening in Duluth—and we planned it that way.

When we chose Duluth for this event, we knew exactly what we were getting into.

Duluth is busy.

The North Shore is busy.

And fall?

Fall in Duluth is something else entirely.

You've got the changing leaves, the shops, the restaurants, the breweries and coffee shops, the lake, the harbor, the scenic drive and those incredible morning and evening views when an iron ore ship is nothing more than a silhouette on the horizon.

And if you've ever stayed in a Duluth hotel, you already know another Minnesota tradition:

The sound of hockey skates racing up and down the hallway.

Because apparently there is a hockey tournament in Duluth approximately 365 days a year.

Welcome to True Northern Minnesota.

And this year, October 15th lands right at the beginning of MEA weekend for families across Minnesota.

The Minnesota State Fire Chiefs’ Convention is also happening in town.

Add in the fall colors, the North Shore, and thousands of Minnesotans looking for a little escape—and you've got a pretty good recipe for a busy weekend.

We know many of the people in our cannabis community aren't working for giant corporations with unlimited travel budgets.

They're running small businesses.

They're building brands.

They're investing their own money.

They're putting in the hours.

So when you take a business trip, why not turn it into something more?

Add an extra night.

Take a half-day.

Drive up the North Shore.

Grab a great meal.

Walk along the lake.

Have a conversation with someone you've been trying to meet.

Take a deep breath.

You've earned that.

Business doesn't always have to feel like business.

Sometimes the best connections happen when everyone slows down enough to actually talk.

To make the weekend easier, Canna Connect has secured a block of rooms at the Radisson Hotel near Canal Park.

We've negotiated rates beginning Wednesday evening and continuing through the weekend at the same reserved rate, starting at $149 per night.

And if you've never stayed there, there's another reason to check it out.

The Radisson Duluth is one of the few remaining hotels with a circular rotating restaurant at the top, giving you an incredible view of the city and harbor.

You're also close to Canal Park, Fitger's, restaurants, shops and the lakefront.

And, of course, there's Highway 61.

You can spend an entire day simply driving the North Shore and letting Minnesota do what Minnesota does best.

Show off.

One of the things we've always wanted Canna Connect events to be is more than another event you "attend."

We believe your time matters.

Your investment matters.

Your business matters.

And most importantly, you matter.

That's why hospitality is such a big part of what we do.

We want you to come to Duluth, meet people, build relationships, discover opportunities and immerse yourself in the community we're building around Minnesota's emerging cannabis industry.

Don't just show up for a few hours and head home.

Make a weekend out of it.

Bring your partner.

Bring your friends.

Bring your business cards.

Bring your curiosity.

And maybe leave a little room in the schedule for smoked fish, a North Shore drive and a great conversation overlooking the lake.

Because years from now, you may not remember every person you shook hands with or every conversation you had.

But you might remember that October weekend in Duluth.

The lake.

The colors.

The people.

The conversations.

The opportunities.

And the feeling of being part of something that was just getting started.

So don't sleep on Duluth.

Get a room.

Make a weekend of it.

We'll see you on the Shore.

Canna Connect has reserved a limited room block at the Radisson Duluth-Harborview, with rates starting at $149 per night. Rooms are available beginning Wednesday evening and continuing through the weekend at the reserved rate.

With MEA weekend, the Minnesota State Fire Chiefs Association conference and fall travel all converging on Duluth, availability may tighten quickly.

Reserve your room while rooms remain.

RESERVE YOUR DULUTH ROOM

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