82% increase from 2021 representing attendees from 48 states/territories, 20+ countries, growing number of C-Suite leaders
PRESS RELEASE – Just four months after its October 2021 edition delayed by covid in Orlando, the Indoor Ag-Con show and conference welcomed the indoor agriculture industry | Vertical and Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) February 28-March 1, 2022 run at Caesar Forum Las Vegas. And what a welcome it was. Marking an 82% increase over Orlando’s attendance figure, more than 800 producers, suppliers, start-ups and other industry members came from 48 states/territories and more than 20 countries, including a high number of senior executives. To further bolster the figure, nearly 300 attendees from The National Grocers Association (NGA) show, co-located at Caesars Forum, also visited the show, bringing the total number of attendees to more than 1,100.
The Ag-Con Expo Floor interior has also grown by 60% – from 50 booths in 2021 to 80 in 2022 – filled with the latest innovations in irrigation, control systems, lighting, substrates and more. . Rounding out the show’s statistics, the educational conference for the 2022 edition brought together 77 speakers taking part in 21 round tables and 3 CEO keynote sessions.
“From our sold-out showroom and record attendance to reports of game-changing connections and new relationships forged, we’ve been touched by the positive feedback we’ve received for our 2022 show from exhibitors. and attendees,” said Brian Sullivan, CEO, Indoor Ag-Con. “Our trade show theme, ‘Grow Your Business,’ really came to life here in Las Vegas this week. The CEA industry is growing rapidly and we are proud to provide the platform for the education, networking and innovation showcase needed to take it to the next level.
“We’re also excited about the untapped networking potential that exists between Indoor Ag-Con and The NGA Show,” adds Nancy Hallberg, Owner | partner, Indoor Ag-Con. “This first colocation was exploratory and gave both show teams the opportunity to start identifying ways to really bring grocers and growers closer together. We believe both shows offer untapped commercial growth opportunities for our respective audiences and we look forward to realizing them when we reunite again in 2023.”
Among the many highlights of the show are:
Indoor air conditioning | Signify VIP Welcome Party
Signify has partnered with Indoor Ag-Con to kick off the 2022 edition with a VIP welcome party on Sunday evening February 27 at Topgolf Las Vegas. Ag-Con indoor speakers and other industry personalities gathered for an incredible evening of golf, networking, cocktails, food, music and fun with industry friends – the compliments by Signify.
CEO Opening Sessions
Attendees had the chance to hear from executives from some of the most dynamic operations in the industry. Steve Platt, CEO of BrightFarms and Steven Bradley, Vice President of Cox CleanTech, Cox Enterprises, kicked off the conference on Monday morning, February 28. Later that day Jonathan Webb, CEO of AppHarvest took the stage. On day two, Matt Ryan, CEO of Soli Organic (formerly Shenandoah Growers) started the day with the morning keynote.
Educational tracks and round tables on the exhibition theater
The 2022 edition featured 3 educational tracks – Grower, Business & Technology – which brought together industry experts covering a wide range of topics from lighting specifications and substrates to energy optimization, water, fertilizers, workforce development, robotics, automation, investment/finance and sensors. Technology. Additionally, the Expo Floor Theater offered additional content with sessions on everything from seeds and product branding to developing grocer/producer relationships, why vertical farms succeed and more.
Exhibition floor exhausted
Spanning 80 booths, this year’s Expo Floor hosted some of CEA’s biggest names as well as up-and-coming suppliers. From lighting and growing systems to substrates and irrigation, growers were able to see the latest innovations under one roof.
Networking Opportunities
Daily lunches and an afternoon cocktail on the exhibition floor expanded the networking opportunities of the show.
Going forward, Indoor Ag-Con Las Vegas will return to Caesars Forum February 27-28, 2023 and will again be co-located with The National Grocers Association Show.
About Indoor Farming
Founded in 2013, Indoor Ag-Con has become the premier indoor trade event | vertical farming | controlled environment agriculture, the practice of growing crops in indoor systems, using hydroponic, aquaponic and aeroponic techniques. Its events are culture-neutral and touch all areas of the business, covering products, legal cannabis | hemp, alternative proteins and non-food crops. More information at www.indoor.ag
