Building on the success of previous years, the third annual Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) Summit East returned to the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR) in Danville, VA from October 1-2, 2024.
Co-hosted by Indoor Ag-Con and the CEA Innovation Center—a joint project with Virginia Tech's School of Plant and Environmental Sciences, IALR, and the Virginia Seafood Agricultural Research and Extension Center —the event attracted 230+ attendees from 35 US states, Canada, the Netherlands, and Hong Kong. The diverse audience of growers, educators, scientists, Extension personnel, suppliers, tech specialists, and government leaders gathered to explore the latest advancements in CEA technology and build valuable partnerships.
Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin delivers his keynote address
The two-day event featured a packed agenda of keynote presentations, panels, breakout sessions, and tours of the CEA Innovation Center facilities. Attendees had the opportunity to engage with 21 tabletop exhibits showcasing cutting-edge innovations and services shaping the future of CEA. Alongside these sessions, a range of networking opportunities fostered new connections and strengthened existing partnerships.
"We're proud to see the CEA Summit East improve year after year," said Brian Sullivan, CEO of Indoor Ag-Con. "The diversity of expertise represented here is impressive, and it's a testament to the collaborative nature of this growing sector."
A good filled room comprising of growers, suppliers, educational wings and other parties
"It's inspiring to see leaders across the CEA spectrum come together to exchange ideas and strategies that drive our industry forward," adds Dr. Scott Lowman, Co-Director of the CEA Innovation Center and Vice President of Applied Research at IALR. "This event underscores the importance of partnerships and shared knowledge in achieving the growth and success we envision for CEA."
Morning Kick-Off Keynotes
Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin, a supporter of the indoor agriculture sector, kicked off the event with the opening morning keynote address. His session was immediately followed by the session, "What Is CEA: It's Mission, Definition and Purpose," with Paul Brentlinger, CEO, CropKing, Inc; Jessica Soare, Senior Director of Marketing, BrightFarms; Mike Ross, Co-Founder & CEO, Beanstalk; and Dr. Michael Evans, Virginia Tech and Co-Director of the CEA Innovation Center.
The exhibitor floor of the Summit
On the second day, the Leadership Insights Panel welcomed John McMahon, Co-Founder & COO of Better Future Farms; Molly Montgomery, Acting CEO Executive Chair, AeroFarms; Carl Gupton, CEO, Greenswell Growers; and moderator Emily Gee, CEA Alliance Board Member and Marketing Director, AeroFarms, to the stage.
The ION Solutions booth
Educational Tracks
The CEA Summit featured three educational tracks – Production, Business and Education, Workforce and Training– that brought academics, growers, and business experts together.
Covering a wide range of topics ranging from food safety, the economics of CEA, crop selection and aquaponics to strategies for energy management, onboarding training programs for new employees, building international partnerships.
Small talk at the CANNA booth
Other panel discussions and 15-minute CEA Industry & Research Showcase sessions gave attendees the chance to hear about some of the latest research findings and other industry success stories.
Tabletop Exhibits & Networking
In addition to conference sessions, attendees had ample opportunities to visit with the Summit's 21 tabletop exhibitors during coffee breaks, luncheon roundtables, and an afternoon cocktail reception.
Graduate Student Poster Competition
This year's summit hosted the 2nd CEA Graduate Student Poster Competition to provide an opportunity for graduate students to share high-quality CEA-related research; expose commercial companies to qualified candidates; to foster collaboration between individuals in academia and in private industry.
Eight finalists competed and Liam Reynolds, University of Illinois Urbana Champaign took first prize for his poster, "Evaluation of Radish, Broccoli, and Lettuce Microgreens Irrigated with Hydrothermal Liquefaction Aqueous Phase.
"Nathaniel King-Smith, The Ohio State University, was awarded second place for his poster, "Exploring Sustainable Alternatives for Critical Materials: Hydroponic Cultivation of Rubber Dandelion ( T.kok-saghyz) for Rubber Production."
CEA Innovation Center Tour
The event wrapped up with group tours of the CEA Innovation Center. Conference attendees took advantage of the unique opportunity to get an inside look at the CEA Innovation Center's hydroponic systems and facilities, including the greenhouse and vertical growing racks. They also got to hear more about some of the Center's exciting research projects.
A sneak peek of one of the on-sight tours during the Summit
Tours were held as well to show various products and growing methods to participants
The next edition of CEA Summit East will be held September 9-10, 2025. In addition, save the dates for the next edition of Indoor Ag-Con, March 11-12, 2025 at the Westgate Las Vegas.
For more information:
CEA Summit East
www.ceasummit.com
Indoor Ag-Con
+1 404 991 5186
[email protected]
www.indoor.ag