New speakers announced for CEA Summit 2025

The 4th Annual CEA Summit East, co-hosted by Indoor Ag-Con and the CEA Innovation Center, has announced 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, and 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.