The Horticultural Lighting Conference, presented by LEDs Magazine and owned by PennWell Corporation, announced today an impressive speaker lineup for the inaugural event to be held October 12, 2016 at the Palmer House Hilton Hotel in downtown Chicago, Illinois, U.S.

Connecting research and technology to end user applications, this specialized one-day conference will feature the following speakers, providing insights, lessons learned and cutting-edge information on the latest advancements in LED horticultural lighting:

Opening Keynote Speaker:
Dr. Cary Mitchell, Professor of Plant Physiology, Purdue University, Director of NASA's Specialized Center of Research and Training in Advanced Life Support

Featured Speakers:
Stephanie Pruitt, Senior Analyst, Strategies Unlimited 
Topic: The Market for Horticulture Lighting

Josh Gerovac, Horticulture Lighting Specialist, Fluence Bioengineering 
Topic: The Fundamentals of Light and Its Impact on Crop Production

Austin Gelder, ASABE  
Topic: Testing Horticultural Lighting Products: Metrics and Methods

Chris Steele, Heliospectra

Delegate Lunch with Keynote Speaker: 
Robert Colangelo, Founding Farmer and CEO, Green Sense Farms

Steve Edwards, SSL Fixtures Product Line Director, Plessey Semiconductors Ltd. 
Topic: LED Benefits for Research and Strawberry Production

Eric Moody, US Lighting Solutions Specialist, PL Light Systems 
Topic: LED vs. Traditional Grow Lighting

Drake Stalions, Senior Marketing and Business Development Manager, OSRAM
Kurt Liepmann, SSL Applications Engineer, OSRAM
Topic: Benefits of LEDs for Horticulture Applications

Dr. Robert Morrow, Senior Scientist, Orbital Technologies Corporation (ORBITEC)
Topic: LED Lighting for Plant Growth Systems in Space

Dr. Melanie Yelton, Director of Research, LumiGrow

Closing Plenary:
Dr. Mark S. Rea, Director and Professor, Lighting Research Center, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Dr. Jaimin Patel, Plant Pathology Research Scientist, Lighting Research Center, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Dr. David M. Gadoury, Senior Research Associate, Cornell University
Topic: Looking Forward: Contemplating The Other Benefits That LEDs Can Bring to Horticulture

"This impressive lineup of experts leading the future of this emerging sector will provide attendees with an exceptional opportunity to learn and engage with the best in the field, while sharing information, case studies and best practices critical to the growth and success of horticultural lighting.  With an additional focus on connecting companies manufacturing horticultural LED products with end users, the Horticultural Lighting Conference is a must-attend for building important business relationships and establishing a presence early-on in this market," said Ms. Stephanie Pruitt, Senior Analyst, Strategies Unlimited.

Sponsors of the Horticultural Lighting Conference include OSRAM Opto Semiconductors, Cree, LumiGrow, Everlight Americas, Bill Brown Sales Company, CSA Group, P.L. Lighting Systems and Spectrum King LED.  The conference will conclude with a Networking Reception where attendees, speakers and sponsors can interact and exchange information face-to-face.

Registration for the conference is now open, with the advance registration discount expiring on September 15. To learn more or to register, visit  horticulturelightingconference.com.