October 1-2, 2024 Version Brings Academia and Trade Collectively For Collaboration, Innovation
Danville, VA – [September 5, 2024] – Indoor Ag-Con and the Virginia Tech-Institute for Superior Studying and Analysis (IALR) Managed Atmosphere Agriculture (CEA) Innovation Middle are happy to announce that Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin will ship the opening keynote tackle on the Managed Atmosphere Agriculture (CEA) Summit East, happening in Danville, Virginia, on October 1-2, 2024. Governor Youngkin’s keynote will kick off the summit on the morning of October 1st, setting the stage for 2 days of dynamic discussions, analysis showcases, tabletop reveals and collaboration throughout the indoor agriculture trade.
Governor Youngkin has been a steadfast supporter of the indoor agriculture trade, advocating for the mix of state funding, new know-how, and firm improvement to create a thriving ecosystem in Virginia. His dedication to fostering an atmosphere that helps secure, sustainable, and domestically grown meals makes him a really perfect keynote speaker for this 12 months’s summit.

“We’re thrilled to have Governor Glenn Youngkin open our convention along with his keynote tackle,” mentioned Brian Sullivan, CEO, Indoor Ag-Con. “Governor Youngkin’s management has positioned Virginia as a premier hub for managed atmosphere agriculture. His efforts to drive financial development via strategic investments and partnerships have made the Commonwealth a mannequin for the way forward for indoor farming.”
Below Governor Youngkin’s administration, Virginia has seen important financial improvement within the CEA sector, bolstered by its strategic entry to home markets, plentiful sources, expert workforce, and a community of strong private and non-private partnerships. These achievements haven’t solely bolstered Virginia’s position as a frontrunner in next-generation agriculture however have additionally paved the best way for continued innovation and enlargement throughout the trade.
“Governor Youngkin’s imaginative and prescient for a sustainable and affluent agricultural future aligns completely with the targets of the CEA Summit East,” mentioned Dr. Scott Lowman, VP of Utilized Analysis, IALR and Co-Director, Virginia Tech-IALR CEA Innovation Middle. “His help for the indoor agriculture trade and his dedication to creating alternatives for development and improvement make him an inspiring determine for all of us working on this house.”
Governor Youngkin’s journey from humble beginnings to co-CEO of a number one international funding agency, and now as a transformative political chief, exemplifies his dedication to exhausting work and commonsense options. His tenure as Governor has been marked by substantial achievements, together with the most important training funds in Virginia’s historical past and quite a few financial investments which have spurred job development and alternative throughout the state.
ABOUT CEA SUMMIT EASTReturning for its third 12 months, the CEA Summit East will probably be held from October 1-2, 2024, on the IALR Convention Middle in Danville, Virginia. Co-hosted by Indoor Ag-Con, the premier commerce present and convention for the vertical farming, greenhouse, and CEA sector, and the Virginia Tech (VT) – IALR CEA Innovation Middle, this summit continues to be a key occasion for trade collaboration and innovation, that includes two days of tabletop reveals, networking and convention programming.
Constructing on the success of its 2023 version, which drew members from 33 U.S. states, Canada, the Netherlands, and Sweden, the CEA Summit East 2024 is predicted to as soon as once more unite professionals from academia, enterprise, and know-how throughout the CEA trade. Attendees will embody greenhouse growers, city agriculture operations, vertical farms, outside growers exploring hybrid alternatives, educators, scientists, extension personnel and brokers, suppliers, engineers, tech specialists, architects/builders, authorities officers, and different trade members.
For extra info on the CEA Summit East and to register for the occasion, please go to www.ceasummit.com
ABOUT INDOOR AG-CONBased in 2013, Indoor Ag-Con has emerged as the most important commerce present and convention for vertical farming | greenhouse | managed atmosphere agriculture. Its occasions are crop-agnostic and contact all sectors of the enterprise, protecting produce, authorized hashish | hemp, alternate protein and non-food crops. For extra info, go to www.indoor.ag.
ABOUT THE VIRGINIA TECH – IALR CEA INNOVATION CENTERThe Virginia Tech-IALR Managed Atmosphere Agriculture Innovation Middle is a joint undertaking between IALR and Virginia Tech’s College of Plant and Environmental Sciences and the Virginia Seafood Agricultural Analysis and Extension Middle. By creating strategic partnerships with each trade and academia, the aim of the Innovation Middle is to conduct analysis and academic programming to develop, promote and advance the CEA sector within the U.S. and internationally. For extra info, go to www.ialr.org/cea