From the conference room to the grow room at CEA Summit East

Some conferences put you in a meeting room. The Fifth Annual CEA Summit East puts you in the greenhouse. Co-hosted by Indoor Ag-Con and the Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) Innovation Center — a joint project of the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR) and the Virginia Tech College of Agriculture and Life Sciences — the Summit returns to the IALR Conference Center in Danville, Virginia on Sept. 15–16, 2026, bringing a new dimension to CEA education: conference sessions that move off the stage and directly into an active research facility.

New for 2026, select sessions will be held inside the greenhouse of the CEA Innovation Center, where attendees won't just hear about the latest advances in CEA -- they'll see them growing. Guided tours of the full Innovation Center complex are included with every conference pass, giving all attendees a behind-the-scenes look at the research, technology and science shaping the future of the industry.

From the conference room to the grow room
The CEA Innovation Center's Danville complex features a working greenhouse, vertical growing systems, indoor growth rooms, growth chambers and hydroponic production systems where scientists and industry partners are actively collaborating on research that is advancing the CEA sector in the U.S. and internationally.

In 2026, that facility becomes part of the conference itself. Hands-on greenhouse sessions will give growers, educators, technology providers and business leaders a rare opportunity to engage directly with working research — not just the summary slide. It is an experience that simply cannot be replicated at a conventional venue.

"From the deep-dive sessions to the tabletop exhibits to the greenhouse itself, every element of CEA Summit East comes together to create an experience that stands apart in our industry -- an event where hands-on learning, leading suppliers and working science all share the same roof. Or in this case, the same research facility."

© CEA Summit East

"Opening our greenhouse and research facilities as active learning spaces for Summit attendees is a natural extension of what the CEA Innovation Center is all about — connecting industry and academia in ways that create real impact," added Dr. Scott Lowman, Vice President of Applied Research at IALR and Co-Director of the CEA Innovation Center. "When a grower can stand inside a working research greenhouse and have a direct conversation with the scientist conducting that research, the value of that exchange is immeasurable. We're proud to offer that experience and look forward to welcoming the industry back to Danville."

The 2026 conference program is being designed with a clear focus on depth, practical value, and meaningful engagement. Attendees can expect a mix of headliner keynotes, curated panel discussions, and four dedicated breakout tracks, each built around 90-minute deep-dive sessions. Rather than skimming the surface, these sessions are structured to give participants enough time to explore topics thoroughly, ask questions, and walk away with knowledge they can actually apply.

One of the standout tracks, Back to Our Roots: Core Horticultural Skills, brings learning back to the fundamentals with hands-on sessions held inside the greenhouse at the CEA Innovation Center. For those looking to enter or expand within the industry, Launching a CEA Operation offers grounded, practical guidance across different production models, from high tunnels to greenhouses to vertical farms. The Technology Evolution and Data Management track focuses on the tools and systems shaping modern operations, helping growers make sense of data and use it effectively. Meanwhile, Food Safety and Pest Management addresses the critical side of compliance, best practices, and integrated pest management strategies that every producer needs to get right.

Complementing these tracks are the CEA Industry and Research Showcase Sessions, a returning favorite for many attendees. These fast-paced presentations bring together innovators and researchers to share real-world results, emerging ideas, and lessons learned from the field. From grower success stories to cutting-edge research, these sessions offer a concentrated stream of insight from people actively pushing the industry forward, making them a valuable platform for discovering new approaches, validating ideas, and staying connected to what matters most in CEA today.

© CEA Summit East

From environmental controls and automation systems to greenhouse structures, packaging solutions and nutrients, the Summit's tabletop exhibits puts attendees face-to-face with the companies driving CEA forward.

Already confirmed for 2026: JASA Packaging Solutions, Dalsem Complete Greenhouse Projects, Priva, Jack's Nutrients, Rimol Greenhouse Systems, Moleaer, Pace 49 and Berger — with additional exhibitors joining the list.

The Summit's focused, close-knit format sets the stage for quality conversations and networking. Morning coffee breaks, seated lunch, and a happy hour reception among the tabletop exhibits on September 15th create plentiful opportunities to connect with growers, researchers, government representatives, suppliers, educators and industry leaders.

"From the deep-dive sessions to the tabletop exhibits to the greenhouse itself, every element of CEA Summit East comes together to create an experience that stands apart in our industry," said Brian Sullivan, CEO, Indoor Ag-Con.