Cannabis & Tech Today recently honored the winners of its 2023 Innovation Awards, spotlighting the latest and greatest products and solutions in the cannabis industry. Among the celebrated innovators was New York City dispensary brand The Travel Agency: A Cannabis Store.
The Travel Agency (fka Union Square Travel Agency) is a purpose-driven, BIPOC-founded cannabis dispensary in New York committed to social equity and community support. Believing in the power of legal cannabis to repair the damage caused by the war on drugs, the budding retail brand’s Downtown Brooklyn and Fifth Avenue stores are owned by individuals who have experienced cannabis-related injustices.
Their Union Square dispensary directs over half of its profits to The Doe Fund, providing housing, employment, and support services to people who have faced homelessness and incarceration. Both stories hire formerly incarcerated individuals and legacy operators, supported by community partners, and carries products from LGBTQIA+, BIPOC, and women-owned brands.
We spoke with Jesse Tolz, VP of Marketing for The Travel Agency, to discuss the significance of this accolade and the company’s journey over the past year.
Cannabis & Tech Today: What does it mean for your company to win awards like the 2023 Innovation Award?
Jesse Tolz: It’s an honor to be recognized for awards like the Innovation Award. Not only does it bring national recognition to The Travel Agency brand of dispensaries, but it also acknowledges our mission and how we execute it. This award exemplifies how we, as an industry, can change the way people see cannabis plants, products, and the community.
C&T: How has the last year been for your business?
JT: We have experienced significant growth over the past year. We expanded from our initial dispensary in Union Square to become the first NY brand with three locations, including our Fifth Avenue and Downtown Brooklyn dispensaries. We see the fruits of our labor in how our customers navigate our dispensaries and how our community chooses to partner with us. This success is owed to our brilliant team.
C&T: What does it take to be an award-winning brand in cannabis today?
JT: Being an award-winning brand requires excellent customer experience, a curated spread of products relevant to your customers and community, an inviting and clear store design, a connected brand with smart marketing, and amazing locations. We also pride ourselves on having the best budtenders in the city, who all go through a lengthy training process before they start the job.
Q: Why should companies and brands enter this year’s Innovation Awards?
Jesse Tolz: The recognition and the morale boost for our company have been invaluable. It’s an opportunity to showcase your dedication to innovation and excellence in the cannabis industry.
Congratulations again to The Travel Agency: A Cannabis Store, and all the winners of the 2023 Cannabis & Tech Today Innovation Awards! Stay tuned for highlights on each winner online and in the next issue of Cannabis & Tech Today.
2024 Innovation Award entries are open now through August 26, 2024.
