Feb 16, 2023

Four More Executives Join Indoor Ag-Con Keynote Lineup

Indoor Ag-Con has announced the latest addition to its headliner keynote schedule for the upcoming edition at Caesars Forum. Titled “The Ever-Changing Business Model of Controlled Environment Agriculture Farming,” this keynote panel will be moderated by Vonnie Estes, vice president of technology, International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA), and will feature Steve Platt, CEO, BrightFarms; Matt Ryan, CEO, Soli Organic; and Dave Vosburg, chief innovation officer, Local Bounti. The keynote is scheduled for Monday, Feb. 27, 2023, at 11 a.m., PST.

“From greenhouse growing operations and indoor vertical farms to heavy labor and automation, it seems like the CEA industry has an identity crisis. The business model is often in flux between being a produce provider or a technology provider,” says Brian Sullivan, CEO, Indoor Ag-Con. “Our panel of CEA industry leaders will explore the reasons for this shift and offer predictions on where the business model is headed in the future.”

 This panel joins the Indoor Ag-Con 2023 CEO headliner keynote line-up, which also includes the opening morning kick-off session with Arama Kukutai, CEO, Plenty and the day two morning keynote from Dave Chen, CEO, Equilibrium, as well as full roster of panels, debates and fireside chats.

 Keynote panel participants include: 

 Vonnie Estes, vice president of technology, IFPA
Estes’ role as VP of technology at the IFPA is to bring technology to the produce industry across the supply chain, working with both technology companies and the industry to identify and solve pressing needs. Her career has been driven by a passion for agriculture, technology and sustainability. She has held leadership positions at prominent companies including DuPont, Monsanto, and Syngenta along with start-ups including DNAP, Emergent Genetics, and Caribou Biosciences to identify revolutionary science and bring products to market. Estes is a sought-after voice, speaking and publishing frequently.

 Steve Platt, CEO, BrightFarms
Platt is CEO of the mission-driven indoor farming leader BrightFarms, and a veteran CPG executive with a proven record of growing brands. Under Platt’s leadership, BrightFarms was acquired by lead investor Cox Enterprises in 2021, resulting in a clear roadmap for future growth and a positive exit for initial investors. His passion for BrightFarms’ mission and products led him to the company, which grows pesticide-free leafy greens in its 6 high-tech facilities across the country.  Before joining BrightFarms, he was CEO of Icelandic Provisions, where he led the company to become the fastest-growing brand in dairy yogurt. Previously, he was an executive at Danone, spearheading brands like Dannon, Oikos, Danimals and YoCrunch.

Matt Ryan, CEO, Soli Organic
Ryan serves as CEO at Soli Organic. As CEO, his focus is on strengthening the company’s competitive advantages and achieving scaled topline growth. Prior to his role at Soli Organic, Ryan served as the chief marketing officer and chief strategy officer at Starbucks where he developed and executed marketing and strategy plans, managed the food and beverage portfolio and led all other marketing, product, brand, and consumer functions. As the head of brand management for The Walt Disney Company, he oversaw the company’s brand management, brand development, franchise management, customer data, and CRM.

Dave Vosburg, chief innovation officer, Local Bounti
Vosburg is chief innovation officer of Local Bounti. With two decades of international financial, business development and technology experience, Vosburg has spent his life career founding, growing and scaling technology businesses that create social value. Previously he was chief financial officer and head of emerging technology at Sensei Ag, a market changing AgTech venture founded by Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison. For five years prior, Vosburg served as chief financial officer and head of business development of Crop One Holdings, a vertical farming company based outside of Boston, Massachusetts. He is also co-founder of Conception Nurseries, a micro-propagation company based in Sacramento, California.

QUICK FACTS:
WHEN: Monday, Feb. 27 through Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2023
WHERE: Caesars Forum, 3911 Koval Lane, Las Vegas, Nevada 89101
INFO: For information on exhibiting or attending visit www.indoor.ag