Skip to main content

Indoor Ag-Con Announces Day Two 2026 Keynote: ‘The State of CEA Finance: Capital Flows, Discipline, and Lessons Learned’ for 2026 Conference

Written by Indoor Ag-Con on . Posted in Blog, Press Releases.

Indoor Ag-Con, the largest trade show and conference for the controlled environment agriculture (CEA) sector, has announced the Day Two keynote for its February 11-12, 2026 event in Las Vegas. Titled “The State of CEA Finance: Capital Flows, Discipline, and Lessons Learned,” the keynote will take place on Thursday, February 12 from 8:00–8:50 AM PST and will feature a fireside chat with two of the most influential voices shaping CEA and agri-food finance: Dave Chen, Co-Founder & CEO of Equilibrium, and David Verbitsky, President & Managing Director of Verbitsky Capital.

As the industry continues to mature following a decade marked by rapid expansion, shifting capital dynamics, and heightened scrutiny on operational performance, this keynote will offer attendees a candid look at the financial landscape influencing CEA today. The conversation will explore:

  • How and where capital is moving across the CEA value chain
  • How financing discipline has evolved since the sector’s early boom years
  • The risks associated with scaling too quickly
  • The lessons investors, operators, and suppliers must carry forward to build resilient, profitable businesses

“Finance continues to be one of the most important and closely watched aspects of controlled environment agriculture,” said Brian Sullivan, CEO, Indoor Ag-Con. “Dave and David bring valuable perspective shaped by years of working across the broader food and agriculture investment landscape. We’re pleased to offer attendees a grounded, practical conversation that will help operators and partners navigate the changing financial environment.”

This keynote is part of Indoor Ag-Con’s most comprehensive educational program yet, featuring 11 specialized educational tracks covering vine crops, mushrooms, berries, lettuce & herbs, conventional agriculture, food safety, cannabis, unique approaches, general applications, and more. Attendees will also experience an expo hall showcasing hundreds of CEA technologies and solutions, along with numerous networking opportunities designed to foster meaningful connections and industry-wide collaboration.

Speaker Profiles

Dave Chen, Co-Founder & CEO, Equilibrium

Dave is co-founder and CEO of Equilibrium Capital Group which was founded nearly 18 years ago with the mission to build an institutional asset manager focused on sustainable infrastructure investment strategies that could make a positive impact on our climate challenges. Equilibrium invests in sustainable food & agriculture and carbon transition infrastructure. With offices in San Francisco, Portland, and London, the firm serves a global group of institutional investors.

Dave started his career at Solectron and at McKinsey. He served as Chairman of the Portland Oregon Branch of the San Francisco Federal Reserve Bank 2005-2012. He was a general partner of OVP Venture Partners and a co-founder of GeoTrust (acquired by VeriSign). He was a board member of HNCS (NASDAQ) 1999-2002, the pioneer in applying neural net technology to deliver application software for real time credit card fraud detection for the banking sector and in healthcare insurance fraud detection, later merged with FICO (NASDAQ:HNCS, now NYSE:FIC). For the past 15 years, he has also been an Adjunct Professor of Finance at the Kellogg School Management at Northwestern University and Director of the Kellogg Impact Investing Program.

David Verbitsky, President & Managing Director, Verbitsky Capital

With more than 15 years of investment banking and entrepreneurial experience, David Verbitsky has advised on over $200B in M&A and financing transactions across the Agriculture & Food industry. His background includes serving as Global Head of Agriculture & Nutrition Investment Banking at Goldman Sachs; Global Head of AgTech & Sustainable Food Investment Banking at Nomura Greentech; and prior roles within Barclays’ Chemicals & Agriculture investment banking team.

David Verbitsky’s experience spans early-stage innovators, family-owned operators, private equity, and large multinationals across the entire Agri-Food value chain. His career also includes venture capital roles, strategic advisory work in agri-food innovation, and operational leadership as CFO of Invaio, an AgTech start-up. He holds an MBA from Rice University and a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from Columbia University.

Indoor Ag-Con will announce details of its Opening Morning Keynote—The State of the CEA Industry from the CEA Alliance—in the coming weeks.

ABOUT INDOOR AG-CON

Founded in 2013, Indoor Ag-Con has emerged as the largest trade show and conference for vertical farming | greenhouse | controlled environment agriculture (CEA). The event brings together industry professionals from across the globe to explore the latest trends, technologies, and innovations in the CEA sector. Its events are crop-agnostic and touch all sectors of the business, covering produce, legal cannabis | hemp, alternate protein and non-food crops. More information, visit www.indoor.ag

Indoor Ag-Con and Sollum Technologies Announce 2026 Scholarship for Doctoral Students in Controlled Environment Agriculture

Written by Indoor Ag-Con on . Posted in Blog, Press Releases.

Graduate Student Will Receive Full Conference Experience, Travel, Lodging – Plus Exclusive Mentorship and Media Opportunities

Indoor Ag-Con is once again teaming up with Sollum Technologies, a pioneer in advanced dynamic LED lighting solution for controlled environment agriculture (CEA), to launch the 2026 edition of the Sollum Student Scholarship to Indoor Ag-Con. Designed to support the next generation of CEA researchers and innovators, this scholarship will provide a graduate-level student pursuing doctoral work in a CEA-related field with an all-expenses-paid trip to attend Indoor Ag-Con, February 11-12, 2026, in Las Vegas, NV.

Scholarship recipient will receive:

  • A full-access conference pass to the February 11-12, 2026 event
  • Round-trip airfare (coach)
  • A two-night hotel stay (room and tax)
  • A daily per diem allowance
  • Scheduled one-on-one meeting time with the Sollum Technologies team in their expo booth
  • An opportunity to film a short video interview recapping their experience and learnings from the show — to be featured by both Indoor Ag-Con and Sollum Technologies across digital channels

“We’re proud to once again partner with Sollum Technologies on this exciting initiative,” said Brian Sullivan, CEO, Indoor Ag-Con. “Through this scholarship, we’re helping the next generation of agriculture professionals get a front-row seat to the technologies and conversations that are shaping the future of farming.”

Jenny Zammit, Vice President of Marketing and Customer Success, Sollum Technologies added, “The Sollum team is passionate about supporting young professionals who are motivated to make a meaningful impact in agriculture. By sponsoring this scholarship, we’re building relationships and sharing insights that can help launch a student’s career.”

Applications Now Open

Applications are now open with a deadline of December 19, 2025. Graduate students based in the United States or Canada and currently enrolled in a doctoral program with a research focus related to controlled environment agriculture—including plant science, lighting, environmental controls, or other relevant disciplines—are encouraged to apply.

For full eligibility requirements and to access the application, visit  https://indoor.ag/sollum-student-scholarship/

About Indoor Ag-Con
Indoor Ag-Con is the premier trade show and conference for the indoor and vertical farming industry. Held annually in Las Vegas, the event attracts CEA growers, suppliers, researchers, and technology providers from across the globe for two days of educational sessions, networking, and innovation showcases. Learn more at www.indoor.ag.

About Sollum Technologies
Sollum Technologies designed the only advanced  100% dynamic LED lighting solution that modulates the full spectrum of the Sun’s natural light to illuminate greenhouses and indoor farms. Sollum’s award-winning, turnkey solution consists of internet of things, AI-powered light fixtures that are controlled by Sollum’s proprietary SUN as a Service® cloud platform. For more information, www.sollum.tech 

 

Indoor Ag-Con Expands 2026 Conference Line-Up With New Food Safety Track Hosted by Ceres University

Written by Indoor Ag-Con on . Posted in Blog, Press Releases.

 Indoor Ag-Con, the largest trade show and conference for the greenhouse, controlled environment agriculture and vertical farming industry, has announced the addition of a brand-new Food Safety Track to its February 11-12, 2026 Conference Program at the Westgate Las Vegas. Hosted by Ceres University, an IACET-accredited leader in food safety training and consulting, the new track brings the event’s total to 11 crop and sector tracks—Indoor Ag-Con’s most comprehensive educational offering to date.

Joining tracks including Lettuce & Herbs, Vine Crops, the International Sprout Growers Association (ISGA) Annual Conference Programming, Mushrooms, Berries, Cannabis, Conventional Agriculture, Unique Approaches to CEA, General Applications, and the Expo Theater Sessions, the Food Safety Track reinforces Indoor Ag-Con’s commitment to delivering practical, high-value education for growers and operators.

“Food safety is foundational to every successful CEA operation,” said Brian Sullivan, CEO of Indoor Ag-Con. “By partnering with Ceres University to deliver this dedicated track we’re giving attendees the practical, compliance-ready tools they need to strengthen their operations and reduce risk.”

2026 FOOD SAFETY TRACK HIGHLIGHTS:

From Compliance to Competitive Advantage: Designing a Strong Food Safety Framework – Executive Deep Dive
February 12, 2026 | 9:00 AM – Noon PST
Speaker: Karl Kolb, Ph.D., President, Ceres University

This intensive seminar goes beyond regulatory checkboxes to show how food safety can become a strategic differentiator. Led by a GFSI-certified auditor, the session explores program architecture, risk mitigation, internal auditing, certification prep (SQF, BRC, PrimusGFS), and more. Attendees receive practical templates, case studies, a certificate of completion, and three Continuing Education Units (CEUs).

Safeguarding Your Grow: Developing an Indoor Environmental Safety Program
February 12, 2026 | 2:30 PM – 3:20 PM
Speakers:
Andy Moreno, PhD, Bacterial Surveillance Systems Engineer, HSG/AME Certified Laboratories
Bryson Green, Ph.D., Scientist, AME Certified PCR Laboratories

A grower’s first line of defense is its environment. This session equips attendees with tools to detect plant and human pathogens before symptoms appear, prevent cross-contamination, implement in-house testing, and build proactive remediation plans. Certificate & CEU credits awarded.

Root Cause, Corrective & Preventive Actions Made Easy
February 12, 2026 | 3:30 PM – 4:20 PM
Speaker: Karl Kolb, Ph.D., President, Ceres University

Learn how to turn a food safety event into a roadmap for improvement. This hands-on class demystifies RCCAPA processes used in PCQI and GFSI programs, providing models, frameworks, and guided exercises to strengthen audit readiness. Certificate & CE credits awarded.

Comprehensive Education Across 11 Tracks
Across two days, Indoor Ag-Con 2026 will offer presentations, panels, and fireside chats designed to help growers, investors, and innovators succeed in today’s rapidly evolving CEA landscape. Expo Theater sessions on the show floor will feature timely discussions on cybersecurity in CEA, AI-driven automation, smart system integration, crop diversification, and real-world grower case studies. The 2026 program will also present headline keynote sessions — to be announced soon — featuring influential leaders shaping the future of food, farming, and technology.

Innovation, Networking & Industry Connections
Complementing the robust education program, the Indoor Ag-Con expo floor showcases hundreds of CEA suppliers under one roof — spanning lighting, climate control, substrates, automation, irrigation, facility design, and more. Attendees can also enjoy a variety of networking touchpoints, including breakout discussions, daily lunches, the show floor happy hour, and the Indoor Ag-Con Wrap Party celebration.

Early Bird Registration Now Open
Early Bird registration is officially open. To register and learn more about the 2026 conference program, exhibitor opportunities, and networking events, visit www.indoor.ag.

About Indoor Ag-Con
Founded in 2013, Indoor Ag-Con is the largest trade show and conference for greenhouse, controlled environment agriculture and vertical farming. The event covers all crop types and brings together growers, tech providers, researchers, and business leaders to explore trends and innovations shaping the future of CEA. For more information, visit www.indoor.ag

About Ceres University
Ceres University is a premiere, IACET (International Association for Continuing Education and Training) Accredited, onsite and online resource that specializes in food safety training and consulting. Its mission is to provide food safety training with integrity while highlighting the value and importance of standards and compliance programs in the U.S. and around the globe. Ceres University utilizes the principles of industry best practices, total quality management, and continuous improvement to exceed our clients’ expectations. More information – www.ceresuniversity.com

Indoor Ag-Con Unveils 2026 Conference Program Featuring 9 Crop and Sector Tracks

Written by Indoor Ag-Con on . Posted in Blog, Press Releases.

Indoor Ag-Con, the largest trade show and conference for the greenhouse, controlled environment agriculture and vertical farming industry, has unveiled its 2026 Conference Program featuring an all-new lineup of nine crop and sector tracks along with a speaker roster that is growing daily.

Returning to the Westgate Las Vegas, February 11-12, 2026, the 13th annual edition of Indoor Ag-Con will once again unite growers, business leaders, suppliers, policymakers, academics/researchers and other industry members from around the globe to explore the latest trends, technologies, and opportunities shaping the future of controlled environment agriculture (CEA).

The expanded 2026 conference program introduces dedicated tracks for:

  • Lettuce/Herbs
  • Vine Crops
  • Mushrooms
  • Berries
  • Cannabis
  • Conventional Agriculture
  • Unique Approaches to CEA
  • General Applications
  • Expo Theater Sessions (on the show floor)

The tracks will feature presentations, panels, and fireside chats offering practical, actionable takeaways for operators, investors, and innovators. The Expo Theater sessions, located on the show floor, will spotlight timely discussions on cybersecurity threats in CEA, AI-driven automation, smart system integration, crop diversification strategies, and real-world production insights from leading growers.

In addition to the track sessions, the 2026 program will showcase headliner keynote presentations — to be announced soon — spotlighting influential leaders who are shaping the future of food, farming, and technology.

“The conference program is truly the heartbeat of Indoor Ag-Con,” said Brian Sullivan, CEO, Indoor Ag-Con. “Each year, we build our educational content around what growers and operators tell us they need most — real-world solutions and practical insights they can take back to their businesses. With our 2026 program, we’re expanding that mission by adding more depth across crop types, introducing new technology discussions, and bringing in fresh voices that reflect where the industry is heading next.”

Complementing the robust education program, the Indoor Ag-Con Expo Floor continues to deliver one of the industry’s most comprehensive marketplaces — featuring top brands and innovative newcomers showcasing cutting-edge products, technologies, and services across lighting, climate control, automation, substrates, irrigation, facility design, and more.

Attendees can also look forward to exceptional networking opportunities — from breakout sessions and daily lunches to the show floor happy hour and Wrap Party celebration — designed to foster meaningful connections and industry collaboration.

Early Bird registration is now open. To register and learn more about conference sessions, exhibiting suppliers and networking opportunities, visit www.indoor.ag

About Indoor Ag-Con

Founded in 2013, Indoor Ag-Con is the largest trade show and conference for greenhouse, controlled environment agriculture and vertical farming. The event covers all crop types and brings together growers, tech providers, researchers, and business leaders to explore trends and innovations shaping the future of food production. For more information, visit www.indoor.ag

Indoor Ag-Con & Aquaponics Association Announce 2026 Pre-Conference Workshop

Written by Indoor Ag-Con on . Posted in Blog, Press Releases.

‘Rooted in Water, Fueled by Fish: Advancing Hydroponics Through Aquaponics’

As part of its mission to bring the entire controlled environment agriculture (CEA) industry together, Indoor Ag-Con is partnering with the Aquaponics Association to present a full-day pre-conference workshop, “Rooted in Water, Fueled by Fish: Advancing Hydroponics Through Aquaponics,” on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, at the Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino.

Held just ahead of the 13th Annual Indoor Ag-Con, February 11–12, 2026, this immersive workshop will explore how aquaponics—integrating fish and plants into a closed-loop ecosystem—builds upon hydroponic production to enhance yield, resource efficiency, and profitability.

Registration is $445 per person and includes lunch and an Indoor Ag-Con Expo Only pass. Combo discounts are available when bundling with a Full Conference Pass.

In an industry driven by innovation and sustainability, aquaponics is rapidly emerging as a natural evolution of traditional hydroponic systems. This hands-on program will dive into practical strategies, research insights, and scalable case studies that demonstrate aquaponics’ biological, economic, and environmental advantages.

Key workshop takeaways include:
• Understanding the core mechanics of aquaponic systems and how they complement hydroponics
• Discovering cutting-edge research advancing aquaponic production
• Learning strategies for integrating aquaponics into hydroponic and aquaculture operations
• Exploring case studies that demonstrate ROI and scalability

The expert speaker lineup includes Josh Dusci, Indoor Agriculture Associate, Virginia State University and Coordinator, The Aquaponics Association; Janelle Hager, Aquaponic State Specialist, Kentucky State University; Molly Stanek, Executive Director, The Aquaponics Association and CEO, EcoAgTech, and additional presenters to be announced.

“The Aquaponics Association does incredible work promoting aquaponics and supporting growers. We’re thrilled to have them lead this workshop and share their expertise with our audience,” said Brian Sullivan, CEO, Indoor Ag-Con. “This partnership is exactly what Indoor Ag-Con is about — bringing together the organizations and people driving real innovation in controlled environment agriculture.”

“We’re excited to partner with Indoor Ag-Con to spotlight aquaponics as a vital next step in sustainable agriculture,” says Molly Stanek Director, The Aquaponics Association.”This workshop will give participants the knowledge and tools to integrate aquaponics into their operations — improving efficiency, reducing costs, and creating more resilient systems for the future.”

The workshop leads into Indoor Ag-Con 2026, which will feature an expo floor filled with product innovations and introductions, nine crop- and sector-specific conference tracks, headliner keynotes, networking events, the CEAs Awards program celebrating excellence in controlled environment agriculture and much more.

To register and learn more about the Indoor Ag-Con | Aquaponics Association Pre-Conference Workshop visit: To register or learn more about the workshop, visit: https://indoor.ag/aquaponics-association-pre-event-workshop-2026/

About Indoor Ag-Con
Founded in 2013, Indoor Ag-Con is the largest trade show and conference for greenhouse, controlled environment agriculture and vertical farming. The event covers all crop types and brings together growers, tech providers, researchers, and business leaders to explore trends and innovations shaping the future of food production. For more information, visit www.indoor.ag

About The Aquaponics Association
The Aquaponics Association is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing aquaponics through education, advocacy, and community connection. Through conferences, resources, and outreach, the Association brings together growers, educators, researchers, and innovators to promote sustainable and resilient food systems. For more information, visit . www.aquaponicsassociation.org

Fourth Annual CEA Summit East Brings Together CEA Leaders for Innovation, Research, and Collaboration in Virginia

Written by Indoor Ag-Con on . Posted in Press Releases.

DANVILLE, VIRGINIA (September 15, 2025) — The fourth annual Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) Summit East welcomed 260 attendees from 34 U.S. states and 8 countries — including Brazil, Canada, El Salvador, the Netherlands, Sweden, and Uganda — to the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR) in Danville, VA, September 9-10, 2025.

Co-hosted by Indoor Ag-Con and the Virginia Tech–IALR CEA Innovation Center, the Summit united a diverse audience of growers, educators, scientists, extension personnel, suppliers, technology specialists, and government leaders for two days of high-value learning, networking, and industry exchange.

“We’re proud to see how the CEA Summit East continues to grow in the quality and diversity of participants and programming,” said Brian Sullivan, CEO, Indoor Ag-Con. “From growers and educators to technology providers and policy leaders, the connections made here are critical to advancing the industry.”

“Hosting the Summit alongside our partners at Indoor Ag-Con allows us to spotlight the groundbreaking research and collaborations happening right here at IALR and beyond,” added Dr. Scott Lowman, Vice President of Applied Research at IALR and Co-Director of the CEA Innovation Center. “The exchange of ideas and experiences at this year’s event was inspiring, and we look forward to building on this momentum.”

The event kicked off with a VIP Welcome Reception on September 8, hosted by Virginia Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry Matthew Lohr on the rooftop of the Historic Bee Hotel in downtown Danville. This exclusive gathering gave speakers, exhibitors, and invited guests the opportunity to connect ahead of the two-day program.

 

Engaging Keynotes & Educational Tracks

Day one opened with the keynote “Cultivating Sustainable Growth,” moderated by Inside Grower’s Jennifer Polanz, featuring Secretary Lohr and Ben Alexander, CEO, Pluck’d. On day two, “Automation in Action: How Virginia Growers Are Putting Tech to Work” took center stage, moderated by Paul Brentlinger, CEO, Crop King, Inc., with insights from Carl Gupton, CEO, Greenswell Growers, and John McMahon, CEO, Equinox Growers.

Throughout both days, attendees could choose from deep dive breakout sessions across educational tracks, including CEA Skills, Business, and Education/Outreach & Workforce Training. Sessions covered timely topics ranging from farm operations and labor management, plant pathogen ID and food safety, to environmental controls and sensors, successful CEA degree programs, budgeting for CEA production, and more.

The always-popular CEA Industry & Research Showcase Sessions returned, offering quick-hit presentations spotlighting new research, grower success stories, and innovative solutions shaping the future of the sector.

Tabletop Exhibits

The Summit’s sold out tabletop exhibit space showcased a wide range of CEA solutions, from greenhouse structures and environmental control systems to automation technologies, packaging, lighting, and nutrient solutions. Attendees had ample opportunities the offerings during coffee breaks, networking sessions and the opening day reception. Participating companies included Priva, GrowSpan, Dalsem, Koppert, Green Food Solutions, JASA, Jiffy, Berger, SGS, Jack’s Nutrients, and Sollum Technologies, among others. These displays gave participants hands-on exposure to the latest innovations supporting productivity, efficiency, and growth in controlled environment agriculture.

Networking & Grad Student Poster Competition

Networking highlights included daily lunch, coffee breaks and a reception at the close of day one, which brought attendees together with tabletop exhibitors for drinks and hors d’oeuvres in the Atrium of IALR.

The CEA Summit’s Annual Graduate Student Poster Competition continued its mission of supporting the next generation of talent, giving emerging researchers a platform to showcase their work and connect with industry leaders. Presented by Dr. Kaylee South, Virginia Tech and Praveen Gajula, Graduate Research Assistant, Virginia Tech, this year’s winners were:

•         First Place: Success Okafor, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University

•         Second Place: Lauren Lindow, University of Florida

In addition to celebrating these outstanding students, the CEA Summit also featured a special Scholarship recognizing the contributions of Extension Personnel. The Cooperative Extension system plays a vital role in supporting greenhouse and vertical farm producers — identifying their needs, sharing research, and providing practical solutions that drive the CEA industry forward. The CEA Summit Extension Personnel scholarship program covered registration fees for 6 specialists to attend the 2025 edition.

Tours of the CEA Innovation Center

The Summit concluded with guided tours of the CEA Innovation Center, a collaboration between IALR and Virginia Tech. Attendees explored both greenhouse and vertical farming environments, gaining a firsthand look at the research, science, and technology that are fueling real-world CEA solutions.

Plans are already underway for the 2026 edition of CEA Summit East. Details and dates will be announced soon at www.ceasummit.com.

About Indoor Ag-Con

Founded in 2013, Indoor Ag-Con is the largest trade show and conference for greenhouse, controlled environment agriculture and vertical farming. The event covers all crop types and brings together growers, tech providers, researchers, and business leaders to explore trends and innovations shaping the future of food production. For more information, visit www.indoor.ag

About the CEA Innovation Center

The CEA Innovation Center is primarily housed in Danville, VA on the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR) campus and in Blacksburg, VA on the Virginia Tech main campus. It is a joint project between Virginia Tech and IALR to serve the growing controlled environment agriculture industry. It addresses the needs of the industry with research, education, and extension programs. For more information, visit www.ceaic.org

Sprouting Success: ISGA Returns To Indoor Ag-Con For 2026 Las Vegas Edition

Written by Indoor Ag-Con on . Posted in Blog, Press Releases.

Annual Convention Brings the Global Sprout Industry Together with the CEA Community For Expanded Networking, Education & Innovation

Building on the successful 2025 partnership, Indoor Ag-Con, the premier trade show and conference for controlled environment agriculture (CEA), is pleased to announce that the International Sprout Growers Association (ISGA) will once again co-locate its Annual Convention with Indoor Ag-Con’s upcoming edition, February 11-12, 2026, at the Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino.

The 2025 collaboration united sprout and microgreen growers, greenhouse operators, vertical farmers, CEA innovators, researchers, suppliers, and other industry leaders from around the world for two days of networking, education, and dealmaking. The 2026 return promises to expand on that success — offering ISGA members full access to Indoor Ag-Con’s show floor, educational sessions, and networking events, while Indoor Ag-Con attendees can tap into ISGA’s specialized sprout-focused programming.

The ISGA 34th Annual Educational Convention track will spotlight:

• Keynote: Frank Yiannas — Former Deputy Commissioner for Food at the U.S. FDA and food safety leader for Disney and Walmart—sharing strategies to foster a culture of safety, innovation, and excellence.
• Dr. Kathleen Liang — W.K. Kellogg Distinguished Professor of Sustainable Agriculture—diving into The Future of Sprouts, nature’s healthiest food, and inspiring new ways to integrate sprouts into diets worldwide.
• Additional sessions packed with industry insights, history, and innovation in indoor agriculture—coming soon.

“Indoor Ag-Con is thrilled to welcome ISGA back for our 2026 event,” said Brian Sullivan, CEO, Indoor Ag-Con. “This partnership creates a powerhouse gathering for the global CEA Community — bringing together growers, innovators and suppliers to share ideas, spark partnerships, and drive the next wave of industry growth.

ABOUT INDOOR AG-CON
Founded in 2013, Indoor Ag-Con has become the largest trade show and conference for the CEA sector, encompassing vertical farming, greenhouse production, and more. Crop-agnostic in its approach, the event covers everything from produce and cannabis to alternate proteins and non-food crops. Indoor Ag-Con brings together industry professionals from around the world to explore the latest trends, technologies, and innovations shaping the future of agriculture. More information – www.indoor.ag

ABOUT INTERNATIONAL SPROUT GROWERS ASSOCIATION (ISGA)
Since 1989, ISGA (The International Sprout Growers Association) has served as the global voice of sprout growers and suppliers, representing members across North & South America, Europe, Asia, New Zealand, and Australia. With a mission to advance the sprout industry, ISGA promotes best practices, fosters global information exchange, and champions sprouts as a cornerstone of a healthier, more sustainable future. More information – www.isga-sprouts.org

2026 CEAs Cultivating Excellence Awards

Indoor Ag-Con and Inside Grower Magazine Announce 2nd Annual CEAs — Cultivating Excellence Awards

Written by Indoor Ag-Con on . Posted in Press Releases.

Nominations Now Open; Winners Will Be Announced At Gala Luncheon During Indoor Ag-Con February 11-12, 2026 Edition

LAS VEGAS (August 26, 2025) –Indoor Ag-Con and Inside Grower magazine are proud to announce the return of The CEAs — Cultivating Excellence Awards. Building on the success of the inaugural 2025 competition, the prestigious awards program recognizes and celebrates excellence, innovation, and leadership within the controlled environment agriculture (CEA) sector across three categories: Operational Excellence, Good Stewardship, and Product Innovation.

Presented at a special gala luncheon on Wednesday, February 11, 2026, at the 13th annual edition of Indoor Ag-Con, held at the Westgate Las Vegas, The CEAs will honor trailblazing businesses and standout products that are shaping the future of CEA. Nomination submissions are now open, and all eligible businesses and products are encouraged to apply via www.indoor.ag/ceas-2026. Nominations are free and the deadline for submissions is October 1, 2026.

2026 CEAs Cultivating Excellence Awards

“Last year’s CEAs brought well-deserved recognition to industry pioneers and rising stars,” said Brian Sullivan, CEO of Indoor Ag-Con. “We’re proud to continue this tradition and invite the community to help us shine a light on the people, products, and practices that are pushing our industry forward.”

“The CEAs offer an exciting platform for sharing stories of excellence in action,” added Paul Black, Publisher of Inside Grower. “We’re thrilled to once again partner with Indoor Ag-Con to help elevate these stories even further in 2026.”

Winners in three award categories will be announced at The CEAs gala luncheon:

2026 CEA Awards Operational ExcellenceThe CEAs Operational Excellence Award will recognize a commercial CEA Grower that consistently delivers quality products while distinguishing itself through innovation in production, technology, marketing, and overall strategy. Judges will evaluate candidates based on their achievements in growing market share, sustaining product quality, and developing practices that set them apart in a competitive landscape. Three finalists will receive an All-Access Pass to Indoor Ag-Con and be invited to attend the awards luncheon. The winner will be honored with a cover feature in Inside Grower magazine.

2026 CEA Awards Good StewardshipGood stewardship is foundational in today’s CEA industry, and this award recognizes commercial indoor growing operations that are exemplary in their commitment to environmental and community responsibility. Three finalists who showcase initiatives in resource conservation, recycling, employee development, and community service will be chosen for The CEAs Good Stewardship Award. Each will receive an All-Access Pass to Indoor Ag-Con and the gala luncheon, and the winner will be recognized in a feature story in a future issue of Inside Grower magazine.

2026 CEA AWards Product InnovationThe CEAs Product Innovation Award highlights the newest and most innovative products that solve critical industry challenges and drive customer value. Open to all industry manufacturers and suppliers, this award will celebrate products that demonstrate the forward-thinking, problem-solving spirit of the CEA industry. Winning products will be highlighted through Indoor Ag-Con promotional channels, and in a special section in an upcoming issue of Inside Grower magazine.

For more information on the award categories, nomination guidelines, and to submit a free application, please visit www.indoor.ag/ceas-2026

ABOUT INDOOR AG-CON
Founded in 2013, Indoor Ag-Con has emerged as the largest trade show and conference for vertical farming | greenhouse | controlled environment agriculture. The event brings together industry professionals from across the globe to explore the latest trends, technologies, and innovations in the CEA sector. Its events are crop-agnostic and touch all sectors of the business, covering produce, legal cannabis | hemp, alternate protein and non-food crops. More information, visit www.indoor.ag

ABOUT INSIDE GROWER
Part of the Ball Publishing family of media brands, Inside Grower magazine is a leading publication for the controlled environment agriculture industry, providing news, insights, quality crop-specific growing information and timely trend data that can help operations thrive in today’s market. More information, visit www.insidegrower.com

 

CEA Summit Day 2 Keynote

CEA Summit 2025 Keynote | Virginia Growers Spotlight Real-World Automation Strategies

Written by Indoor Ag-Con on . Posted in Blog, Press Releases.

The 4th Annual CEA Summit East, co-hosted by Indoor Ag-Con and the CEA Innovation Center, is excited to announce its Day 2 Morning Keynote Panel: “Automation in Action: How Virginia Growers Are Putting Tech To Work.” This insightful session will be held on Wednesday, September 10, 2025, from 8:45 AM – 9:15 AM EST at the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR) Conference Center in Danville, Virginia.

Moderated by Paul Brentlinger, CEO of CropKing, the panel will feature:

  • John McMahon, CEO of Equinox Growers
  • Carl Gupton, CEO of Greenswell Growers

These Virginia-based leaders will share their firsthand experiences integrating automation technologies into their growing operations. From climate and fertigation controls to robotics and real-time monitoring systems, panelists will offer candid perspectives on what’s working, where the challenges are, and how technology is improving operational efficiency — without losing the human touch that defines successful growing.

“This panel is a true reflection of the mission behind CEA Summit East — bringing research and real-world practice together,” said Brian Sullivan, CEO of Indoor Ag-Con. “Our Day 2 keynote gives attendees a chance to learn directly from growers who are actively testing and scaling automation on the ground.”

Dr. Scott Lowman, Vice President of Applied Research at IALR and Co-Director of the CEA Innovation Center, added, “There’s a lot of hype around automation, but what’s most valuable to our attendees is seeing how it’s actually being implemented in real-time by growers in Virginia. This session will give them that clarity.”

This keynote follows the Opening Day Keynote on September 9: “Cultivating Sustainable Growth: Balancing Economics and the Environment in CEA” moderated by Inside Grower magazine’s Jennifer Polanz, and featuring participants, including Matthew Lohr, Virginia Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry, and Ben Alexander, Project Director, Oasthouse Ventures.

ABOUT CEA SUMMIT EAST

Co-hosted by Indoor Ag-Con and the CEA Innovation Center—a partnership between IALR and Virginia Tech—the CEA Summit East returns September 9-10, 2025, for its fourth edition. The event offers two days of educational sessions, tabletop exhibits, networking, research showcases, and tours of the CEA Innovation Center, all designed to bring together stakeholders from across the indoor farming industry. Attendees include greenhouse growers, urban agriculture operations, vertical farms, outdoor growers exploring hybrid opportunities, educators, scientists, extension specialists, suppliers, engineers, tech specialists, architects/developers, government officials, and other industry members.

For more information on the CEA Summit East and to register for the event, please visit www.ceasummit.com

ABOUT INDOOR AG-CON

Founded in 2013, Indoor Ag-Con is the largest trade show and conference for greenhouse, controlled environment agriculture and vertical farming. The event covers all crop types and brings together growers, tech providers, researchers, and business leaders to explore trends and innovations shaping the future of food production For more information, visit www.indoor.ag.

ABOUT THE CEA INNOVATION CENTER

The Controlled Environment Agriculture Innovation Center is a joint project between Virginia Tech, the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR), and industry that is working to advance the controlled environment agriculture (CEA) sector in Virginia, the U.S., and internationally through leveraging its collective resources, skills, and expertise by addressing the needs of the industry with  research, education, and extension programs For more information, visit www.ceaic.org

CEA Summit Eest 2025 Exhibitors

Tabletop Exhibit Space Sold Out for 2025 CEA Summit East

Written by Indoor Ag-Con on . Posted in Blog, Press Releases.

Growing Roster of Industry Leaders to Showcase Innovation in Danville, Virginia

Tabletop exhibit space is officially sold out for the upcoming CEA Summit East, scheduled for September 9-10, 2025, at the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR) in Danville, Virginia. The sold-out floor is a strong indicator of the growing importance of the event as a premier gathering for professionals and researchers driving innovation in the controlled environment agriculture (CEA) sector.

Presented by Indoor Ag-Con and the CEA Innovation Center (a partnership between IALR and Virginia Tech), the CEA Summit East brings together business and academia for two focused days of education, networking, and industry innovation. Attendees will have the opportunity to explore the latest solutions and services from industry leaders while engaging in deep dive conference sessions, industry and research showcase presentations, networking events and tours of the cutting-edge CEA Innovation Center on-site.

“This event was created to bring the CEA industry’s commercial leaders together with research and academic leaders shaping its future—and the sold-out summit exhibit space confirms this mission is resonating,” said Brian Sullivan, CEO, Indoor Ag-Con. “We’re proud to welcome suppliers representing many facets of the CEA sector.”

“The CEA Summit East is a unique gathering where our applied research work and industry collaboration come together to drive real-world solutions,” said Dr. Scott Lowman, Vice President of Applied Research at IALR. “We are excited to see the exhibitor interest continue to grow and look forward to two days of meaningful dialogue and connection for the CEA community.”

The 2025 tabletop exhibitors include: Anden, Atlas Greenhouse, Berger, Dalsem B.V., GrowSpan, Green Food Solutions, Jack’s Fertilizer, JASA, Jiffy Products of America, Koppert, Legacy Labor, Inc., Microsoft, Microclimates, Moleaer, Pace 49, Pedrollo Group USA, Plantlogic LLC, Priva, Rimol Greenhouse, SGS, Sollum Technologies, and Zayndu.

Registration is now open for attendees. Learn more about the full conference schedule, confirmed speakers, tours, and hotel information at www.ceasummit.com.

ABOUT CEA SUMMIT EAST

Co-hosted by Indoor Ag-Con and the CEA Innovation Center—a partnership between IALR and Virginia Tech—the CEA Summit East returns September 9-10, 2025, for its fourth edition. The event offers two days of educational sessions, tabletop exhibits, networking, research showcases, and tours of the CEA Innovation Center, all designed to bring together stakeholders from across the indoor farming industry. Attendees include greenhouse growers, urban agriculture operations, vertical farms, outdoor growers exploring hybrid opportunities, educators, scientists, extension specialists, suppliers, engineers, tech specialists, architects/developers, government officials, and other industry members. www.ceasummit.com

ABOUT INDOOR AG-CON

Founded in 2013, Indoor Ag-Con is the largest trade show and conference for greenhouse, controlled environment agriculture and vertical farming. The event covers all crop types and brings together growers, tech providers, researchers, and business leaders to explore trends and innovations shaping the future of food production www.indoor.ag

ABOUT THE CEA INNOVATION CENTER

The Controlled Environment Agriculture Innovation Center is a joint project between Virginia Tech, the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR), and industry that is working to advance the controlled environment agriculture (CEA) sector in Virginia, the U.S., and internationally through leveraging its collective resources, skills, and expertise by addressing the needs of the industry with  research, education, and extension programs. www.ceaic.org

Privacy Policy.