The Leamington Greenhouse GrowerExpo (LGGE) once again brought together technology providers, crop specialists, and growers in Leamington, Ontario, highlighting the technical depth and innovation in the CEA industry.
Returning to the region, Charlie Guy, Technical/Commercial CEO and Co-Founder with a decade of experience in CEA systems, reflected on the importance of year-round production in challenging climates. "The extreme Canadian seasonal differences are a stark reminder of why Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) is so vital for global food production," he noted. "Regardless of the season or the Canadian winter outside, the growing and the innovation in the glasshouses here never stops."
© Charlie Guy
Following the expo, those discussions took place on the show floor, where aeroponics and broader CEA system integration were part of ongoing technical conversations among growers and suppliers.
© Suzanne Wainwright - Evans
Biological crop protection and integrated pest management were also central themes. As keynote speaker for LGGE 2026, Suzanne Wainwright-Evans addressed growers on February 25 at the Nature Fresh Recreation Centre. With 30 years of greenhouse biological control experience, she is recognized for bringing "real-world truth from inside the crop." Following this year's event, she commented, "What a fun and educational day," highlighting the collaborative tone of the expo.
© PRIVA
On the technology front, Priva North America presented its fully integrated platform approach under #PrivaOne. "From energy management and climate control to precision irrigation and labour optimization, Priva brings it all together in one fully integrated platform," the company stated. "By connecting energy, climate, water, and labour systems, growers gain greater control, improved efficiency, and stronger long-term profitability." The message was clear: integration reduces operational complexity while supporting data-driven decision-making.
© ProJoules
Energy-use efficiency and plant-light balance were further addressed by Wim van Wingerden of ProJoules. "At the Leamington Greenhouse Growers Expo we are ready to inform you about ProJoules. Better yield predictions and crop performance," he said, emphasizing the increasing reliance on predictive tools to optimize fruit vegetable production.
Lighting strategies and applied research also featured prominently. Amos Bassi, Senior Plant Specialist with Philips Horticulture LED Solutions at Signify, described a week focused on "the bridge between plant science and real-world results," combining exhibition presence with ongoing research projects and participation in a Light & Climate management panel at the Ohio Controlled Environment Agriculture Center.
Biological inputs and biostimulants were another point of discussion. As an LGGE sponsor, Biomicrobes highlighted its work developing advanced microbial biostimulants and biological programs for greenhouse, substrate, and hydroponic systems. The company stated its mission is "to help growers achieve consistent, high-quality yields with biological solutions that are effective, transparent, and grounded in agronomy."
The Bio Stimulant Roundtable further addressed the need for clarity in a crowded marketplace, bringing together technical experts to help growers decipher differences among products and programs.
Additional sponsors, including Jiffy, BioBee Biological Solutions, Canada Inc., and KOKO Wonder, reinforced the event's focus on sustainable substrates, nature-based crop protection, and grower-oriented innovation.
Across sessions and exhibitor booths, several consistent themes emerged: system integration, data-driven cultivation, biological resilience, and yield predictability. In a region defined by climatic extremes, LGGE showed ideas on how greenhouse producers are using advanced technologies and agronomic expertise to maintain consistent production, optimize inputs, and strengthen long-term operational performance.
For more information:
Leamington Greenhouse Grower Expo
https://lgge.ca/
