If you're researching indoor farming, hydroponics, or controlled environment agriculture, then you're in the right place. Staying on top of the latest events in vertical farming is one of the best ways to grow your knowledge—and your network.

At Just Vertical, we've attended dozens of these conferences over the years. From AI-powered growing systems to new container farm tech, we've seen firsthand how these shows push our industry forward. They're where tech meets technique, where business meets sustainability, and where we meet the future of food.

That's why we've created this simple, scannable list of the 7 top vertical farming trade shows coming up in 2025 and early 2026. Whether you're an educator, urban farmer, policy planner, or investor, there's something on this list for you!

In this article, we'll walk through:

• Locations and dates of each event
• What you'll learn and why you should go
• Tech and trends to watch
• Who each event is best suited for

These aren't just events—they're launchpads for ideas, partnerships, and innovations that shape the future of agriculture.

Let's dig into the 7 must-attend vertical farming trade shows.

1. CEA Summit East

Location & Date: Virginia Tech, USA | September 9th-10th, 2025

What to Expect

If you're involved in vertical farming, indoor farming, or hydroponics, this is one of the best conferences to explore how research is shaping the future of controlled environment agriculture (CEA). CEA Summit East is a focused, two-day event packed with real-world applications and deep dives into infrastructure, energy systems, and plant science.

The event bridges the gap between university research and real-life farm operations. You'll find both academic experts and commercial growers collaborating to solve today's most important farming challenges. It's not flashy—it's practical, smart, and highly informative. As a result, it's the kind of summit where ideas turn into action.

Key Trends and Tech:

1. Advanced hydroponic growing systems with precision control
2. New strategies for nutrient optimization based on plant stages
3. Breakthroughs in energy-efficient LED lighting
4. Academic and commercial CEA case studies
5. Innovative tools for data collection and farm modeling

Who Should Attend?

This conference is ideal for:

• Researchers testing new tech in indoor environments
• Educators building curriculum in urban agriculture or sustainability
• Institutional food buyers who are interested in local, high-nutrient produce
• Growers looking to scale and automate their CEA operations

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2. Global Vertical Farming Show

Date: September 10th-11th, 2025

Location: Dubai, UAE

What to Expect

The 6th Global Vertical Farming Show is a major event for indoor and vertical farming, especially in regions where food security and climate resilience matter most. Taking place in Dubai, this conference is designed to solve big agricultural challenges—like limited water, rising temperatures, and food import dependency—through innovation in controlled environment agriculture.

This event highlights how vertical farming can work in some of the harshest climates on Earth. So, if you're interested in building farms that thrive in extreme conditions or scaling into international markets, this is the place to be. You'll meet a wide range of attendees, from government delegations to global agritech companies.

Expect talks, tech showcases, and one-on-one sessions with companies tackling real food system problems head-on.

Key Trends and Tech:

1. Water-efficient hydroponic farming systems
2. Climate control technology for extreme heat and humidity
3. Export-ready growing systems designed for trade scalability
4. Desert farming solutions using indoor methods
5. Smart infrastructure for year-round food production

Who Should Attend?

This show is ideal for:

• Government agencies investing in food resilience
• MENA-region growers looking to scale sustainably
• NGOs and nonprofits focused on food access
• Tech suppliers are building tools for harsh environments

3. Vertical Farming World Congress

Location & Date: Amsterdam, Netherlands | October, 7th-9th 2025

What to Expect

If you're serious about vertical farming, this is the global event you don't want to miss. The Vertical Farming World Congress brings together thought leaders, innovators, and investors from all over the world to share knowledge, pitch ideas, and showcase progress.

Unlike smaller regional shows, this congress takes a global approach to solving food challenges through indoor farming and controlled environment agriculture. It offers a balance of business, policy, and science, giving attendees a full picture of where vertical farming is heading next.

Expect detailed case studies, insightful keynotes, and high-level discussions about scaling, financing, and regulating the future of food production. In other words, it's the ultimate meeting point for those looking to grow their operations—literally and strategically.

Key Trends and Tech:

1. Farm financial modeling for long-term business growth
2. Scalable vertical architecture for urban spaces
3. Policy and regulatory frameworks for food innovation
4. Global supply chain planning for CEA
5. Impact measurement tools for ESG reporting

Who Should Attend?

This congress is ideal for:

• Investors scouting opportunities in agtech
• Commercial operators growing at scale
• Consultants working in food innovation
• Policy professionals shaping future food systems

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4. Canadian Greenhouse Conference

Location & Date: Niagara Falls, ON | October, 8th-9th 2025

What to Expect

The Canadian Greenhouse Conference (for our Canadian readers!) is the country's top event for growers—and it's now embracing the world of vertical farming, hydroponics, and controlled environment agriculture like never before. This year's event will feature brand-new sessions focused on indoor farming innovation, making it a must-attend for anyone working with crops in a colder climate.

Held in beautiful Niagara Falls, CGC brings together educators, growers, and agtech companies from across Canada and beyond. You'll find product demonstrations, educational panels, and plenty of networking opportunities with experts in both greenhouse and vertical systems.

In other words, if you're looking to grow fresh food year-round in tough weather, CGC gives you the tools to do it.

Key Trends and Tech:

1. Cold-climate vertical farming systems for Canada's long winters
2. High-efficiency LED lighting built for leafy greens and herbs
3. Indoor rack systems that maximize space in commercial facilities
4. Hybrid greenhouse-vertical models
5. Data tracking tools for optimizing energy and yield

Who Should Attend?

This conference is ideal for:

• Canadian growers entering the indoor farming space
• Educators and schools are building vertical ag programs
• Procurement teams sourcing local food systems
• Public-sector planners looking to support food infrastructure

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5. AgriNext Conference

Location & Date: Dubai, November 5th-6th, 2025

What to Expect

The AgriNext Conference is a must-see event if you're interested in indoor farming, hydroponics, or controlled environment agriculture. It brings together the future of farming with today's top technology. This event brings together growers, innovators, and tech experts who are shaping the future of indoor food production.

Held annually in North America, AgriNext is recognized for its practical talks, startup showcases, and in-depth discussions on urban agriculture and modern farming methods. Whether you're curious about launching your first farm or scaling an existing one, AgriNext offers insight, tools, and real-world success stories.

Key Trends and Tech:

You'll see a range of cutting-edge systems that focus on sustainability and productivity:

1. AI-driven growing systems for climate and light control
2. Modular vertical farms designed for shipping containers and small spaces
3. Smart irrigation tools for water-saving hydroponics
4. Data analytics software for monitoring crop performance in real time
5. Automation tools that reduce labor and improve yields

Who Should Attend?

This conference is ideal for many:

• Indoor farm startups that are looking for scalable tools and early funding
• Educators and researchers exploring new curriculum or innovation
• Government planners working on food infrastructure and urban agriculture
• Developers and architects designing smart cities or food hubs

6. Indoor Ag-Con

Location & Date: Las Vegas, Nevada | February 11th-12th, 2026

What to Expect

Indoor Ag-Con is the largest vertical farming and indoor agriculture event in North America. If you want to see the full ecosystem of indoor farming—from seed to harvest to sale—this is where it all comes together.

Each year, hundreds of professionals gather in Las Vegas to explore cutting-edge technology, new product launches, and powerful partnerships shaping the future of food. You'll hear from city planners, commercial growers, agtech startups, and Fortune 500 food companies—all under one roof.

This is not just a showcase—it's a launchpad for ideas, businesses, and innovations. So, whether you're scaling your farm or just exploring hydroponics or controlled environment agriculture, Indoor Ag-Con offers the knowledge and connections to help.

Key Trends and Tech:

1. End-to-end farming systems for urban food production
2. Automation and robotics that streamline farm operations
3. Data tracking tools for growing and inventory management
4. Climate control systems with AI integration
5. Retail integration strategies for direct-to-consumer sales

Who Should Attend?

This conference is ideal for:

• Commercial indoor growers who are ready to scale
• Agtech startups looking for partners or investors
• Retailers exploring local supply chains
• Entrepreneurs building farms from the ground up

🚨 New Webinar Alert!
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💡 Real-world tips for maximizing yield with minimal tech.
🎟️ Save your free spot: https://t.co/3KbhzrKCGb#CEA #IndoorFarming #AgTech #GreenhouseGrowers pic.twitter.com/aUx4xLiG8a

— Indoor Ag-Con (@indooragcon) August 1, 2025

7. GreenTech Americas

Location & Date: Querétaro, Mexico | March, 24th-26th, 2026

What to Expect

GreenTech Americas is one of the fastest-growing conferences for vertical farming and agtech in Latin America. If you're exploring new markets or working in controlled environment agriculture, this event gives you a strong entry point into a thriving region with huge potential.

This show brings together industry leaders, local growers, and international experts to explore how modern farming can solve global food challenges. It's especially relevant for businesses looking to expand across borders and for tech suppliers aiming to scale in Latin American markets.

You'll also see how indoor farming fits into greenhouse operations and how hybrid models are being used to grow fresh food more efficiently, even in areas with limited infrastructure.

Key Trends and Tech:

1. IoT technology for real-time farm monitoring
2. Scalable automation tools for mid- to large-scale farms
3. Greenhouse-to-vertical farm conversions for space optimization
4. Water-saving technologies for hydroponics
5. Regional supply chain integration for food access

Who Should Attend?

This show is ideal for:

• Producers in Latin America are scaling their indoor operations
• Export-focused farms looking to expand into global markets
• Technology distributors building local partnerships
• Policy teams and NGOs working on food security

🌱 En GreenTech Americas 2026 encontrarás miles de profesionales y expertos interesados en intercambiar ideas y fortalecer relaciones comerciales ¿Te lo vas a perder?

Conoce más de nuestro evento aquí https://t.co/vltBijmqP7 pic.twitter.com/SmR9OWELTz

— GreenTech Americas (@GreenTechAm) August 7, 2025

🙋 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Can I attend these events if I'm just starting out?

Absolutely. Most events welcome all experience levels. You'll find beginner sessions, startup showcases, and networking tailored to newcomers.

2. Are these conferences only for large commercial farms?

Not at all. These trade shows include attendees from small farms, nonprofits, research institutions, and startups.

3. How do I decide which one to attend?

It depends on your location and goals. Want high-level tech? Go to Indoor Ag-Con. Want regional connections? Try the Canadian Greenhouse Conference.

4. Do these events include product demonstrations?

Yes. You can test lighting systems, hydroponic modules, automation tech, and more—all on the show floor.

5. Are there funding and grant opportunities discussed?

Definitely. Many panels and sessions are dedicated to grants, investment, and funding pathways for indoor agriculture.

Conclusion

We hope this list of the top 7 upcoming vertical farming trade shows helps you make the most of your growing journey. These events are more than just places to shake hands and grab brochures—they're where the future of agriculture is being built.

We've been to many of these conferences, and every time we leave more inspired. The mix of tech, policy, sustainability, and entrepreneurship makes these gatherings critical for anyone serious about indoor farming.

Whether you're launching a shipping container farm, researching hydroponics, or scaling a commercial facility, these events offer a clear window into what's next. You'll learn how others are solving the same problems, pushing the same boundaries, and building farms that actually work. Every conversation, keynote, and workshop at these events is part of building a more resilient food system. Find your place in that conversation—and we might even see you there!

At Just Vertical, we're proud to be a part of this movement. Vertical farming and controlled environment agriculture aren't just trends—they're essential tools for a sustainable future.