In the heart of Los Angeles, The Network Show has quickly become one of California’s most anticipated cannabis trade events. Founded by Nam Tran and powered alongside longtime friend and collaborator Shea Ryan, the show was born from a simple but powerful realization: the industry needed a space dedicated solely to brands and retailers—without distractions, without fluff, and without gatekeeping.
Tran, whose background is in brand management and events, had already built a name for himself through Goodfellas Group, a distribution company that services over 450 cultivators, primarily small legacy farms from the Emerald Triangle. Ryan, meanwhile, was deep in the cannabis supply chain through manufacturing and distribution. Together, they understood the challenges brands faced and the importance of authentic connection.
“The foundation for any strong industry is human connection,” Tran explained. “We’re lacking the events that allow you to connect with the right people. That’s why The Network Show is so exclusive. Brands are the only ones exhibiting. Retailers are the only ones attending. We don’t care about crowd size—we care about results.”
That clarity has paid off. The most recent edition drew thousands of attendees, to the point where doors had to be closed at capacity. Yet, for Ryan and Tran, success isn’t measured by numbers, but by impact. “Your net worth is your network,” Ryan emphasized. “This show is our legacy to the industry. We’re here to stay, we’re here to pioneer, and we’re proud to do it with our hearts on our sleeves.”
One of the reasons The Network Show resonates is the team’s hands-on approach. Tran personally calls exhibitors, answering questions and ensuring that each brand gets the most out of their experience. “We want to make sure everyone gets ROI,” he said. “If it means spending an hour with their team to walk them through, that’s what we’ll do. Because when we all win, that’s when the industry really thrives.”
Both founders acknowledge the difficulties of working in California, with its high taxes and complex regulations, but they see opportunity in building stronger B2B relationships. Ryan put it simply: “Shows like Network connect the brands and the retailers. When the economy’s not hot, that’s when it’s most important to go direct and make deals happen.”
As for the future, the team is focused on California—out of respect for regional leaders like On The Revel in New York, and out of dedication to their own backyard. The next major event is set for San Pedro in 2025, promising to build on the show’s momentum. But Tran and Ryan are also expanding their vision with High Supply, a new spring show designed to connect ancillary businesses and supply chain partners with brands. From raw materials and terpenes to packaging and distillates, High Supply will bring together every component needed to launch or innovate a product line—complementing Network’s focus on retail and brand partnerships.
The two events will function in tandem: High Supply as the incubator for ideas and resources, and Network as the stage to showcase and premiere them.
For Tran and Ryan, it always comes back to culture. “We’re from the industry,” Tran said. “We understand the growth and the struggles as a brand. At the end of the day, this is about connection, collaboration, and making sure we’re all winning together.”
