The ongoing requests for technical knowledge sharing, crop-specific guidance, and access to peer experiences in controlled environment agriculture form the framework of Indoor Ag-Con 2026. Show director Suzanne Pruitt explains how the conference program is being shaped around the operational demands expressed by growers across North America. By combining general horticultural developments with crop-specific events and tracks, Indoor Ag-Con aims to welcome the CEA industry to its 2026 event.
© Arlette Sijmonsma | HortiDaily.com
Keynotes and events
It might seem far away, but it's only 80 days until Indoor Ag-Con 2026 opens its doors. The event this year takes place on February 11–12 and combines educational tracks with an extensive trade show. The opening keynote panel will again be led by the CEA Alliance's Tom Stenzel, providing a state-of-the-industry overview with CEOs from the sector, and the event will launch the second edition of the CEAs Cultivating Excellence Awards.
New on the agenda for 2026 are eleven dedicated crop tracks, which are being set up by conference chair Kyle Barnett. Topics include various vine crops, mushrooms, herbs and lettuce, sprouts, and cannabis. "Indoor Ag-Con is the controlled environment agriculture industry event—the platform for all crops grown under protected circumstances."
The organizers introduced a specific cannabis educational track last year, responding to a gap identified by growers in that sector. "We got really great feedback. I think the cannabis growers felt that there was an educational piece missing from some of the other events they were going to. They also valued being included in broader CEA discussions, as a lot can be learned by sharing ideas and discussions." It's a development seen broadly in the North American industry: a growing demand for practical, operational content from people working directly in CEA facilities. Suzanne notes the industry is more willing to learn from each other's experiences—and more willing to share their own.
"Last year was one of the first times that people were really starting to not be afraid to share what worked, what didn't, and how they could help each other." It marks a shift away from several years of nondisclosure agreements and secrecy. "We saw it live at Indoor Ag-Con in February. We think that we'll see even more of that, hopefully, in '26."
Not pay-to-play
"Our conference sessions—unlike some other trade shows—are not pay-to-play. We really try to get the industry people, whether it's growers or suppliers who are actually doing the work, and they're the ones talking very frankly and very openly about what the challenges are and how they're addressing them. It's going to be very helpful, certainly in this current climate."
Combined with researchers and suppliers sharing more general horticultural knowledge, this will result in a broad educational environment, Suzanne explains—relevant both to the management-level decision-makers Indoor Ag-Con is known to attract, and to operational staff.
"We're trying to help every sector, whether it's the head grower down to the quality assurance person," she said. C-suite topics are addressed through keynotes, but much of the technical program is structured for those "in the greenhouse day-to-day doing that work."
Interest from open-field producers exploring protected cropping
Indoor Ag-Con has been co-located with the International Sprout Growers Association, and will be again in 2026. Indoor Ag-Con will also partner with the Aquaponics Association in 2026 to host a pre-show workshop in 2026 designed to introduce attendees to the ways aquaponics can advance their growing systems. Another new element for 2026 responds to a trend Suzanne's team sees among open-field growers evaluating protected production models. "We definitely see opportunities for open-field growers—whether it's from climate change or other factors—to consider protected cropping," she explained.
Indoor Ag-Con is launching a half-day pre-show workshop for these growers, which will provide an overview of the market, including discussions of different production models such as hoop houses, greenhouses, and container systems. The workshop will include experienced growers so participants hear directly from operators rather than event organizers. "We're reaching out to a new audience as we see the demand for knowledge coming from this group as well. Reaching such a new audience will take time—and we're happy to build in their direction."
Click here for the photo report of Indoor Ag-Con 2025.
For more information:
Indoor Ag-Con
Email: [email protected]
www.indoor.ag
