Growers, Researchers, and Industry Pros Come Together September 9-10 to Share Ideas, Spark Connections, Move CEA Forward
DANVILLE, VIRGINIA — The Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) Summit East will return to the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR) in Danville, Virginia on September 9-10, 2025 for its fourth edition. Co-hosted by Indoor Ag-Con and the CEA Innovation Center, a partnership between IALR and Virginia Tech, the 2025 event will once again bring together professionals from across the CEA spectrum—growers, researchers, academia, industry pros—for two days of education, networking, and exploration of the future of indoor farming.
Building on the success of the 2024 summit, which welcomed attendees from 35 U.S. states and international markets including Canada and the Netherlands, the 2025 event will feature a comprehensive conference program with key educational tracks:
- CEA Skills — topics like lighting, IPM, food safety, environmental controls, pathogen ID
- Business — budgeting, operations, labor management
- Education, Outreach & Workforce Development — K-12 programs, CEA degree paths, training initiatives
The popular CEA Industry & Research Showcase sessions also return to the agenda, spotlighting case studies and research from leading growers and academic teams. Attendees can also look forward to inspiring keynotes (to be announced soon), networking opportunities and tours of the CEA Innovation Center.
In addition to educational sessions and networking, attendees will have the opportunity to explore tabletop exhibits featuring the latest innovations, products, and services. Industry leaders who have already booked tabletop space include Green Food Solutions, Priva, Pace 49, Atlas Greenhouse, Rimol Greenhouse Systems, and SGS. These suppliers, and more, offer solutions spanning environmental controls, crop protection, structures, testing, and more—giving attendees a hands-on look at the tools shaping the future of indoor growing.
“CEA Summit East has become a key annual event for connecting the dots between industry and academia,” said Brian Sullivan, CEO of Indoor Ag-Con. “Whether you’re a grower, educator, researcher, supplier, or policymaker, the 2025 summit offers a wonderful opportunity to learn, network, and move the needle forward for controlled environment agriculture.”
Dr. Scott Lowman, Vice President of Applied Research at IALR and Co-Director of the CEA Innovation Center, added, “The 2025 Summit will build on the momentum we’ve created over the past three years. We’re excited to welcome new voices, and continue to support the industry’s growth through innovation and shared knowledge.”
Registration, speaking opportunities, and tabletop exhibit space now open. For more details and updates, visit the event website www.ceasummit.com
About Indoor Ag-ConFounded in 2013, Indoor Ag-Con has emerged as the largest trade show and conference for vertical farming | greenhouse | controlled environment agriculture. Its events are crop-agnostic and touch all sectors of the business, covering produce, legal cannabis | hemp, alternate protein and non-food crops. For more information, visit www.indoor.ag
About the CEA Innovation CenterThe 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