Speakers

Agricultural engineer specializing in soils, graduated with honors from the Autonomous University of Chapingo and with a master's degree from the University of Almería, Spain. Certified Agricultural Advisor by the American Society of Agronomy and member of the Mexican Society of Soil Science. FIRA-certified technician, advisor, trainer, and consultant in crop nutrition and fertigation. Director of Innovation at Intagri and Fertilab, with experience in international consulting and the implementation of advanced strategies for greenhouse production.

Operations Manager at Bonanza Greenhouses from October 2022 to April 2025, responsible for the planning, management, and control of processes in the areas of production, quality, food safety, maintenance, and packaging. Currently a professional consultant for the agribusiness sector, specializing in process control and operational restructuring and efficiency improvements for high-tech greenhouses.

A graduate of ITAM with a diploma in Amparo Proceedings from Universidad Iberoamericana, she has over 30 years of experience in foreign trade, customs law, labor compliance, and litigation. She founded the law firm Aguirre, Aguirre y Asociados 25 years ago.
She has held various positions in the Mexican government, notably in the Legal Negotiations Consulting Office and the International Trade Practices Unit of the Ministry of Economy. She was a negotiator for several Free Trade Agreements to which Mexico is a party. During the USMCA negotiations, she spearheaded the defense of the Mexican fruit and vegetable sector's interests in the "Cuarto de Junto" (a specialized advisory group), and she continues to do so in the negotiation, review, and modernization of various trade agreements. She has represented and defended the fresh tomato industry for the past 25 years.
Her experience includes speaking at national and international forums and representing and defending numerous national and multinational companies, associations, and organizations across various sectors.

Chemical Engineer from the UNAM, with an MBA from Tecnológico de Monterrey and executive education in senior management from IPADE Business School. He holds specializations in Logistics and Industrial Operations, as well as international certifications in CPIM–APICS and Lean Six Sigma (Green Belt and Master Black Belt). He has completed specialized training in Lean Manufacturing and Kaizen in Europe, the United States, and Japan.
He has over 30 years of experience in operations roles within the pharmaceutical, cosmetics, and agribusiness industries, and has served as a professor of industrial operations at UNAM and Tecnológico de Monterrey.

Thirty-eight years ago, a story began that transformed protected agriculture in Mexico. Inveco started by manufacturing the first polystyrene seedbeds and developing innovative substrates, later expanding its reach to vegetable greenhouses and the soft fruit market, where it has been an active part of its growth.
For decades, the company has worked as an exclusive distributor, collaborating with manufacturers to offer customized solutions. Two and a half years ago, Gerardo, the founder's son, joined the company, marking the generational shift and the continuation of the legacy.
This transition has strengthened policies and processes, combining experience and innovation. Today, Inveco is moving forward with commitment toward a future focused on sustainability, technology, and leadership in precision agriculture.

He holds a degree in Agricultural Engineering from the Metropolitan Autonomous University (UAM) and has over 10 years of experience in phytosanitary regulations applied to national and international trade. He has a background at the National Service for Agrifood Health, Safety and Quality (SENASICA), where he served as Head of the Export Department, coordinating Mexico's Phytosanitary Certification System and agricultural export requirements. He participated in bilateral trade programs. He was a Verifier of Origin in Brazil and an International Technical Collaborator with the Ministry of Agriculture of the Dominican Republic. He is currently the Institutional Relations Manager at ANEBERRIES, leading regulatory engagement and the opening of international markets for the sector.

A successful track record of over 25 years in the world of horticulture, driving the growth and professionalization of horticultural companies in the United States and Latin America, with a prominent focus on the strategic adoption of LED lighting to improve productivity, efficiency and business results.

Computer engineer from UAG, with training in software quality models (CMMI), senior management in technological innovation from IPADE, and a diploma in neuromarketing. His profile combines technical knowledge, strategic vision, and innovation. He's currently an executive producer at INOCUO.

Professor at the Faculty of Accounting and Administration of the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) and researcher at Colmena Think Tank. She has over 15 years of experience in applied research and professional practice in agri-food systems, with an emphasis on sustainability, financing systems, value chains, and public policy. She has held positions as a wholesale tomato buyer and director of public food health programs. She has served as a member of the Rhode Island Food Policy Council and the government relations committee of the International Fresh Produce Association. She holds a Master's degree in Mexican-American Studies from UNAM and a Bachelor's degree in Science, Technology, and Society from Brown University.

Alfredo Díaz Belmontes, who has served as Director General of the Mexican Association of Protected Horticulture (AMHPAC) since 2013, is an Agricultural Engineer specializing in Administration, a graduate of ITESM, Monterrey Campus, and holds a Master's degree in Economic Development from the University of California, Davis, USA. He is currently President of the AMHPAC Insurance Fund and a member of other business boards. He previously served as the SEDESOL Delegate in Sinaloa, Northwest Regional Director of ASERCA, and Head of BANOBRAS in Sinaloa.

Agricultural Engineer specializing in production from ITESM-UQ (1984), Master's degree in Crop Protection from the École Nationale Supérieure d'Horticulture de Versailles, France (1991).
20 years of experience in high-tech greenhouses for vegetable production.
Director of Alternativa Agrícola Sustentable, a consulting firm specializing in protected agriculture projects.

Agricultural Engineer specializing in production from ITESM-UQ (1984), Master's degree in Crop Protection from the École Nationale Supérieure d'Horticulture de Versailles, France (1991).
20 years of experience in high-tech greenhouses for vegetable production.
Director of Alternativa Agrícola Sustentable, a consulting firm specializing in protected agriculture projects.

Holds a degree in Business Administration from the University of San Diego. He serves as President of AMHPAC, where he has been an active member since 2008, previously leading the sector’s defense committee and, since 2024, the national board. He is part of the business groups GEMSO and GANFER, with interests across agroindustry, finance, automotive, and franchises. He launched greenhouse operations in 1999 in Ímuris, Sonora. In 2024, he led the acquisition of NatureSweet, a company with over 600 hectares of production across Mexico and more than 15,000 direct jobs.

Karla García is a specialist in plant physiology under controlled environments, with over 12 years of experience in protected agriculture and hydroponic systems. In 2016, she was recognized by the International Society of Horticultural Science (ISHS) for her research on increasing strawberry yields in greenhouses, the only person in Mexico to receive this distinction. She is currently the Manager of Hort Americas Mexico, where she promotes sustainable production and knowledge transfer to the agricultural sector through consulting and technical services. She is also the founder of Microgreens FLN, a company that produces sprouts under artificial light and has been operating for eight years.

Leads commercial teams that support greenhouse operators and marketers across Canada, the US, and Mexico. For the past four years at Source.ag, he has partnered with leading growers in North America, including Mucci Farms, Nature Fresh Farms, and Red Sun Farms, to build the data foundation needed to successfully implement AI. These AI solutions enable growers to increase yields, forecast more accurately, and automate irrigation, resulting in improved scalability and profitability. Based in Chicago, Tomas holds a master's in Econometrics and Computer.

Henry Gordon-Smith is the Founder and CEO of Agritecture, a global consulting firm specializing in climate-smart agriculture, controlled environment agriculture (CEA), agritourism, and food systems strategy. With over a decade of experience and more than 350 projects delivered across 45+ countries, he advises governments, developers, investors, and technology companies on how to design resilient, profitable, and climate-adaptive agricultural systems. Henry is known for bridging high-level strategy with on-the-ground feasibility, combining market intelligence, technology assessment, and financial modeling. He teaches climate-smart agriculture at Columbia University, speaks regularly at global industry events, and is a leading voice on the future of greenhouse, vertical farming, and urban agriculture worldwide.

Agronomist specializing in Protected Horticulture from the Autonomous University of Chapingo, with a Diploma in Applied Horticulture and Horticultural Operations from Olds College and Junior Greenhouse Technician Training from Windset Farms in British Columbia, Canada.
Co-founder of SMEAP - the Mexican Society of Specialists in Protected Agriculture - and currently working in its commercial area, as well as serving as a production consultant for protected agriculture projects in four countries (Mexico, Panama, Colombia, and Paraguay). His experience includes participation as a speaker at national and international courses, conferences, and seminars, contributing to the professionalization of horticulture in Latin America.

Simon Jones holds a Management Studies degree from Birmingham University and has built a career spanning nearly four decades in international commerce. Over the last 25 years, he has focused his expertise on the global water sector, where he has played a leading role in advancing sustainable, efficient, and effective approaches to water resource management. His work has taken him across multiple regions and contexts, with a particular emphasis on the critical areas of water collection and storage. Simon’s professional journey reflects both his commercial acumen and his deep commitment to environmental stewardship, helping organisations and communities address the growing challenges of water scarcity and climate change.

Agronomist with over 25 years of experience in protected agriculture, founder of CEICKOR and the CEICKOR University Center. A graduate of Tecnológico de Monterrey, he served as Production Manager at Agros for 12 years. A leader in knowledge transfer and technical training for greenhouse crops, he is the General Director of CEICKOR, an institution recognized by the Mexican Ministry of Education (SEP) since 2014 and a benchmark in the training of specialized agronomists. He is an active consultant for companies in Mexico, the United States, Korea, and Central America, driving high-impact projects in the horticultural sector.

A Dutch horticultural engineer with a few years of hands-on growing experience in the 1980s and more than 30 years of expertise in horticultural technology. His career spans the full spectrum—from turnkey greenhouse projects to in-depth knowledge of greenhouse materials such as steel, glass, and aluminum, as well as early climate computers and today’s physics-based reinforced machine learning solutions. Over the past four years he has shifted from hardware to software, focusing on data-driven growing and combining practical insight with advanced technology. Open-minded and adaptable, he bridges real-world growing experience with the next generation of data-driven horticulture.  

Program Manager at SCS Global Services with over seven years of experience advancing social compliance and sustainability standards in global supply chains. Specializing in food and agriculture across the U.S., Mexico, and Central America, she has led the development and implementation of programs such as Equitable Food Initiative (EFI), Sustainably Grown, and SMETA, aligning with international labor standards and corporate due diligence. Holding degrees in Political Science and Environmental Studies, Sandy applies a policy-driven approach to translate complex requirements into practical tools and audit protocols. Fluent in English and Spanish, she is recognized for fostering collaboration and driving integrity and transparency in social auditing.

Mechanical Engineer Administrator from Tecnológico de Monterrey, with studies in Administration, Logistics, Finance and Senior Management. His professional career has been in logistics and sales, beginning in 1991 at the largest open-pit silver mine in Latin America (Minera Real de Ángeles), where he oversaw the Purchasing Department at the Beneficiation Plant. In 1993, in Aguascalientes, he oversaw the Purchasing, Shipping, Warehouse, and Imports Departments of the San Marcos Textile Group. In 1999, he was in charge of starting up the production plant of the Intercarton company in Toluca as Plant Manager. In August 2000, he began his career in protected horticulture in Mexico when he joined Agros, Mexico's first high-tech greenhouse, as Logistics Manager from 2000 to 2006. Agros was more than just a job for him; it was an excellent school where he learned everything about greenhouses. In 2006, he founded ASESORES EN INVERNADEROS, a leading company and benchmark in the greenhouse market in Mexico, where he remains Managing Director to this day.   

Mauricio Manotas has over 30 years of experience in the protected agriculture industry. With numerous projects completed from Chile to Canada, his experience in the American market is extensive. He served as General Manager for the Americas at Ludvig Svensson for many years, leading the company's expansion across the continent, including the opening of a branch in Guadalajara, Mexico. He also served on the board of directors of the American Greenhouse Manufacturers Association for several terms, and a few years ago he founded and is the principal director of Green Laniel Consulting, a company dedicated to working with the best technologies for agricultural production in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.

Works as senior manager international & economic affairs for the municipality of Westland. In his role he is concerned with international activities, relationships and profiling of the municipality of Westland and strengthening the (local) business climate.  The municipality of Westland is the worldwide capital of Horticulture and Mr. Meijer is expert in international horticultural development and building horticultural clusters.
In this role he works on international relations with regions all around the world. I also provide policy advice based on the input I receive from the business community.
Before I worked at the municipality of Westland, I spent more than 5 years involved in the acquisition of foreign companies to the Netherlands (including a year at the Dutch consulate in San Francisco) and carried out consultancy assignments to municipalities in the field of area development.

Born and raised in a greenhouse in the Netherlands. He holds a Master of Science in Plant Science from Wageningen University, specializing in greenhouse horticulture. Since 2019, he has been one of the founders of Cultivators, committed to growing his licensed hydroponic cannabis and lettuce business. Growing these products requires in-depth knowledge and experience. His expertise and cultivation skills are enhanced by his participation in trials at Wageningen University and other research institutions.

An industrial engineer with postgraduate studies in International Management from Harvard University, he found his true professional passion in the horticultural industry, dedicating over 20 years to generating and disseminating information on new agricultural technologies to boost exports of high-value crops in Mexico and Latin America. He has extensive experience managing specialized agricultural media outlets and organizing conferences and exhibitions in this sector. For 17 years, he led the growth and consolidation of the magazine "Productores de Hortalizas" (Vegetable Producers) in Mexico and Central America and its website, Hortalizas.com. He successfully organized the International Tomato Congress for 10 consecutive years, the Bio Controls Mexico event, and the Fresh Connections Mexico and Fresh Connections Central America events in conjunction with the Produce Marketing Association (PMA) in 2012 and 2013. Since 2018, he has served as Founding Director of AgTech America, an agricultural communication consulting firm focused on disseminating information and technology through digital media. He has advised countless agricultural technology providers on their communication and marketing efforts and has been a consultant for GreenTech since 2018.

Erik Pekkeriet is Programme Manager Vision + Robotics at Wageningen University & Research, helping the greenhouse agtech industry turn automation into scalable, real-world solutions. 
He emphasizes the role of growers in shaping technology that truly impacts business performance and believes strong service models are essential for success in IT-driven production systems.
His work centers on one key challenge: creating impact through collaboration rather than waiting for innovation to arrive.

Rafael Pizarro Suárez Sañudo is an engineer from Tecnológico de Monterrey and currently studies at the College of Consultants and Communicators in Semiology of Everyday Life, deepening his understanding of human development and communication. His career has focused on protected agriculture, with experience in medium‑ and high‑tech greenhouse operations in Spain and Mexico. In 2013, he founded his own company producing snacking tomatoes for export and has since worked on adapting greenhouse technologies to Mexico’s conditions, aiming for efficiency, viability, and sustainability. He is committed to pushing technological boundaries and to developing strong professional and personal teams, believing that work can be consciously integrated into people's life projects.

Pharis runs Plantanova, a company for the propagation of grafted horticultural seedlings for high-tech hydroponic greenhouses. His work ranges from technology promotion to agricultural production. Horticonnect PL is a Dutch business platform that connects technology, services and knowledge companies for protected horticulture. Its main task is to build bridges of collaboration between the Netherlands and the Mexican horticultural sector, proposing synergistic solutions. In the Netherlands, it promotes collaboration between companies to develop technology and knowledge transfer, seeking efficiency and profitability in Mexican greenhouses, as well as translating the needs of the sector.

Founding partner of the family business CERRO FRESH S DE RL DE CV in 2003 in southeastern Guanajuato, Mexico. She started a protected agriculture project in a 2,000 m² greenhouse with conventional tomato cultivation.
In 2011, they began organic bell pepper production, which continues to this day. They have also ventured into organic American and European cucumber cultivation. The market for all three crops is 100% export to the USA.
Ernestina Serrano Jasso's main responsibilities fall within the Production Management and General Management of the company. Currently, the family business is undergoing a generational succession process.

Mechanical engineer with 16 years of experience in the food and agricultural industries, he holds a master's degree in finance and Black Belt certification.
He led operations at the coffee company Garcomex as Director of Operations for Mexico for four years. Currently, he is the Director of Operations at Red Sun Farms, overseeing over 200 hectares of high-tech greenhouses in Mexico and the United States, a position he has held for nearly six years.
He led organizational changes, such as the implementation of Lean Manufacturing based on high-performance teams, at Kellogg's, where he worked for ten years.

Global Sales Director at GreenV, the international horticulture technology and services group that includes greenhouse builders and installation companies like Stolze and Prins Group. Leading global sales and business development for large turnkey greenhouse projects and technically complex installations worldwide.
Responsible for developing and managing international key accounts and strategic partnerships. In close cooperation with GreenV’s various subsidiary companies to strengthen and grow their global market presence My expertise comes from decades of experience in horticulture technology, commerce, and installations (including long experience at Priva before joining GreenV), having a large international network and deep industry knowledge that support GreenV’s ambition to be a global leader in greenhouse horticulture.

Product manager specializing in greenhouse automation, working at the intersection of climate control, irrigation automation, and digital services. He holds an MSc in Biosystems Engineering from Wageningen University & Research, with a focus on controlled environment agriculture. Dionysis collaborates closely with growers, system integrators, and technology partners to design reliable greenhouse architectures that translate crop strategies into automated actions. His experience spans greenhouse climate control, system integration, and grower training across Europe and the Americas.
He specializes in understanding how distributed systems, such as climate computers, sensor platforms, and external optimization services, can work together without increasing crop risk, operational complexity, or dependence on constant connectivity.

Agricultural Engineer specializing in Production, Business Administration, and Management from Tecnológico de Monterrey. He has 23 years of experience in the agribusiness sector, specializing in design, construction, operation, administration, packaging, marketing, and organizational development for agribusiness companies. He is the founder of the Denomination of Origin for Habanero Peppers from the Yucatán Peninsula. He was the General Manager of Hidroponia Maya, a 40-hectare high-tech European cucumber farm, and the General Manager of Gear Alimentos, a 15-hectare high-tech farm. He is also an advisor and developer of turnkey projects.

Dr. Alfonso Torres is a biologist who graduated from the Autonomous University of Querétaro (UAQ), where he also earned his PhD in Biological Sciences with a specialization in Biotic Resource Management. He also holds a Master of Science degree in Biological Sciences (Environmental Biology) from the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM).
His professional career at Koppert Mexico began in 2002 as research and development coordinator. Two years later, he assumed the position of pollinator production manager, and in 2006, he became the manager of the Research and Development department for North America. From 2009 to 2017, he served as Director of Production and R&D. Finally, in November 2017, he was appointed CEO of Koppert Mexico, a position he holds to this day.

Investment banker with 30 years of experience in capital markets and sustainable growth.
Originally from Mexico City, he has worked at financial institutions such as JP Morgan and Wells Fargo, among others, in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, serving clients throughout the continent.
Specializing in public debt placements, equity markets, and private financing with diverse funders including banks, multilateral institutions, international investors, and local and global private funds, he brings an international perspective with deep cultural intelligence to different markets.
After a successful banking career, he founded a consulting firm to help companies raise capital and improve their governance. For the past five years, he has assisted agribusiness leaders in structuring financing that accelerates their growth.
Committed to sustainable finance, he is a member of the Mexican Council for Sustainable Finance, an advisor to AMHPAC, and an honorary member of the Sustainability Committee of the Mexican Food Bank Network, directing investment to where it generates real impact.

He is Lead Business Developer at Delphy Digital, where he drives the development and adoption of smart cultivation software that empowers growers to improve their results. With a background in Biosystems Engineering from Wageningen University & Research, he joined Delphy Digital in 2020. We combine Delphy’s extensive horticultural expertise with the latest research insights from our own innovation centers. By integrating green domain knowledge, data science, and software development, Max works at the forefront of digitalization in horticulture. My role is bridging these domains to create practical, data‑driven solutions for growers worldwide.

Responsible for strengthening the growth of Globalmex producers and developing new alliances with more producers. A social geographer, not an agronomist. Former president of AMHPAC from 2016 to 2019. From 2007 to 2021, he was Director of FreshMex, building a network of suppliers and its own bell pepper production, supported by a team of professionals for export to the US and Canada through his trading company, Levarht. He is currently a consultant in Phoenix.

Agronomist specializing in Protected Horticulture from the Autonomous University of Chapingo, with a Diploma in Applied Horticulture and Horticultural Operations from Olds College and Junior Greenhouse Technician Training from Windset Farms in British Columbia, Canada. 
Co-founder of SMEAP - the Mexican Society of Specialists in Protected Agriculture - and currently working in its commercial area, as well as serving as a production consultant for protected agriculture projects in four countries (Mexico, Panama, Colombia, and Paraguay). His experience includes participation as a speaker at national and international courses, conferences, and seminars, contributing to the professionalization of horticulture in Latin America.  

Agricultural Engineer (1993-1997), Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, Autonomous University of Guadalajara.

In 2011, he was recognized by The Packer magazine as one of the "Packer 25" Produce Industry Leaders, and in 2010, he received the 40 Under 40 award from Produce Business magazine, a distinction given to 40 young leaders under 40 years of age who have positively influenced the global agri-food industry.
Career: President of VISER-PROYECTA, Executive Director of Meister Media Worldwide of Mexico, General Director of the Mexican Association of Greenhouse Builders, President of the Mexican Council of the Produce Marketing Association, General Director of the Mexican Association of Protected Horticulture (AMHPAC), Agricultural Manager - Ciruli Brothers LLC, a company based in Nogales, Arizona, USA, Director of Trade Promotion and Export Development. ASERCA-SAGARPA, as well as participating in the Tomato Defense Team: A team that represented the Mexican tomato producing industry before the US Department of Commerce during the dumping practices controversy, among others.