Data Center World brought the data center, facilities and IT infrastructure community together in Orlando, Florida last week. After a two-and a-year hiatus due to the pandemic, the event welcomed more than 900 attendees and 120 exhibitors at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, as well as a few hundred attendees participating online. Over the course of four days, data center and IT professionals experienced a robust lineup of keynotes, panel discussions and case studies focused on key themes such as the data center of the future, energy efficiency and sustainability, and the next generation of data center professionals. Data Center World is AFCOM’s annual gathering of IT and data center professionals.
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“It was wonderful to gather the data center, facilities and IT infrastructure community this week. A tremendous amount of learning and networking took place”
“It was wonderful to gather the data center, facilities and IT infrastructure community this week. A tremendous amount of learning and networking took place,” said Tara Gibb, Senior Director, Data Center World. “Not only did we award winners of our inaugural Data Center Startup Challenge, but we also launched two new programs that we believe will help to continue to grow the data center industry. We look forward to bringing the data center community back together in 2022.”
Data Center World event highlights and announcements:
Data Center World Parent Company, Informa Tech, Announces New Data Center Efficiency Evolution Program (DEEP)
The amount of energy consumed by the data center industry, which is an estimated eight million data centers worldwide, is expected to triple over the next decade further straining the power grid and slowing attempts to reduce carbon emissions. To assist with this consumption of energy, Informa Tech’s Data Center Efficiency Evolution Program (DEEP) was unveiled to recognize, award and honor, data center facilities that follow industry standard Energy Efficiency best practices.
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Using leading edge technology, expert engineers will work in collaboration with data center facilities across the globe to perform detailed onsite assessments of power consumption from the time power enters a facility down to the rack level, assess mechanical environment and provide an airflow analysis. Detailed reports will be provided and reviewed along with a comprehensive energy efficiency strategy including potential savings and carbon footprint reduction. A facility will be “DEEP Certified” if they meet the energy efficiency best practices.
The program was created through a partnership with data center sustainability expert Kevin Kent and Informa Tech’s AFCOM, Data Center Knowledge, Omdia, Data Center Institute and Data Center World. To learn more visit: informatech.co/DEEP.
Data Center Startup Challenge
The Data Center Startup Challenge contest pitted data center technology startups against each other. Folio Photonics was named the winner of the “Most Disruptive Technology”; HydroMx was named the winner of both “Best Chance for Market Success” and “Most Influential Founding Team”; and Metify for “Best Ability to Gain Additional Capital.” The panel of judges included Bill Morelli, Chief Research Officer, Omdia, Moises Levy, Principal Analyst, Data Center Power and Colling and Omdia, Michail Clutter, Program Manager – Technology Services, Casne Engineering Inc., and Jane Hsieh, Senior Director of Sales, Aligned.
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The Capstone Project
Universities are supporting technology-focused work led by bright, ambitious students. In partnership with iMasons, AFCOM launched a Capstone Project program to recognize college students’ work and mentor them as they start their careers in the technology and data center industry.
The Data Center’s World GenNext Board
Comprised of talented professionals from the millennial and gen z generations, these individuals will be tasked with sharing insights to help Data Center World be a more relevant event for the next generation of data center’s professionals.
Keynotes
This year’s keynotes included Christina Chase, Co-Founder and Managing Director, Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Sports Lab; Toshi Anders Hoo, Director of the Emerging Media Lab, Institute for the Future; Dr. Celia Merzbacher, Executive Director, Quantum Economic Development Consortium (QED-C), Timothy Rohrbaugh, Chief Information Security Officer (CISO), JetBlue Airways and Kevin Kent, Founder & CEO, Critical Facilities Efficiency Solutions.
Expo Hall
Data Center’s World’s Expo Hall featured the industry’s leading solution providers showcasing their latest innovations to attendees. The Expo Hall featured a Data Center’s Live Stage that hosted Executive Fast Chats, Data Center’s Knowledge Practitioner Interviews, Nomad Futurists Briefing and more. Omdia analysts also tackled attendee questions during “Ask Me Anything.”
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