We are heading to Times Square for DCD>Connect | New York 2026, one of the industry’s largest and most vibrant gatherings for the data center ecosystem.
Taking over the Marriott Marquis from March 23–24, the event draws more than 4,500 senior leaders to navigate the breakneck speed of the AI revolution. Between the main stage and the co-located Xcelerated Compute tracks, the focus is squarely on the realities of scaling power, cooling, and sustainable infrastructure in an era of unprecedented demand.
We look forward to bringing our community together throughout the show.
Registration to DCD>Connect | New York is required to attend iMasons programming. Register here. iMasons members have an exclusive discount on Vendor Passes for this event. To claim your discount, check your inbox or reach out to admin@imasons.org.
Let's Connect in New York
Monday, March 23, 2026
iMasons Member Summit
This summit unites our members to discuss the digital infrastructure industry’s most pressing challenges and opportunities. Join industry leaders for exclusive insights and collaborative sessions focused on key initiatives and solutions that will shape our future.
Agenda
8:30am – 9am – Check In
9am – 9:15am – Welcome and Opening Context & Industry Inflection Point
9:20am – 9:45am – ICA Fireside with Bloomberg
9:50 – 10:05am – The Road Ahead: iMasons as a Global Institution
10:10 – 10:45am – Member Working Session
10:45 – 11:20am – Table Topic Report Out
11:20 – 11:30am – CEO Reflection, Synthesis & Closing
This event has concluded. We are grateful to everyone who attended and look forward to seeing you again soon.
3/23/2026 - iMasons Member Summit at DCD NY
- Photo Galleries
Relive the best moments of the event here
iMasons Member Summit
March 23, 2026
Monday, March 23, 2026
The AI digital workforce: Who builds, trains, and adapts the talent we need?
Workforce challenges behind digital infrastructure have become more complex and urgent due to unprecedented industry growth.
Workforce strategies remain fragmented as companies are required to reskill at scale while also focusing on future skills and evolving education programs.
This debate examines who owns the talent pipeline, how non-traditional talent can be developed, and how AI is reshaping the current skill set requirements.
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- How can veterans, career-changers, and tradespeople be integrated into the data center workforce?
- How can K-12, higher education, and industry better align to prepare the next generation of data center engineers and operators?
- Which roles will evolve or be redefined as AI adoption accelerates?
Vlad-Gabriel Anghel
Director of Solutions Engineering, DCD Academy
Nabeel Mahmood
Nomad Futurist
David McCall
QTS Data Centers
Valerie Crafton
SVP of Strategy & Operations, Mod42
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Hiba Agha
Director of People Programs, Infrastructure Masons
Monday, March 23, 2026
iM Women Welcome Lunch
As AI and data center development accelerates, public understanding has not kept pace. Communities across the U.S. are raising concerns about scale, visibility, and local impact often driven by misinformation and a lack of early engagement.
This session brings together women leaders from digital infrastructure, energy, education, and Women in STEM to contribute directly to a shared conversation on trust, education, and community engagement.
Led jointly by Mara Ervin, Eastern U.S. Chair, and Rhea Williams, Western U.S. Chair, the discussion compares regional challenges across the U.S. from dense urban markets to environmentally sensitive or land-constrained regions and how those differences shape community pushback and NIMBY responses.
By creating space for collective dialogue, the session focuses on how women leaders act as trusted translators between complex infrastructure and the public, connecting data centers and AI to education, workforce development, innovation, and long-term local value.
This major session explores:
- How and why community resistance to data centers differs across U.S. regions
- Common drivers of NIMBY opposition and how early education can reduce friction
- The role of women leaders in building trust through listening and transparency
- Connecting digital infrastructure to STEM education and workforce pathways
- Practical engagement strategies that work before projects reach permitting
This session is a women-only event and is by invitation only – if you are interested in attending please email dcdconcierge@datacenterdynamics.com.
Rhea Williams
SVP AI & Hyperscale, Riot Platforms, Inc.
Mara Ervin
Director of Data Centers, Stonebridge
- Photo Galleries
Relive the best moments of the event here
iMWomen Welcome Lunch
March 23, 2026
Monday, March 23, 2026
Emerging Talent Mixer
As the next generation of industry talent, carrying the baton to drive future innovation and expansion in an unrelenting growth market can be quite the daunting task. This dedicated session is designed to bring together young data center professionals for some informal networking.
Join your mission critical peers to share the opportunities and challenges faced and discuss how to get the most out of industry events to help you in your daily role and ongoing career progression. You will have to opportunity to get advice from seasoned industry professionals from a range of backgrounds.
This session is only open to delegates who have less than 10 years’ experience in the data center industry. Please get in touch with dcdconcierge@datacenterdynamics.com to RSVP.
Sponsor:
Agenda:
The agenda for this networking mixer has been designed to create meaningful access between early-career professionals and industry leaders. Grab some refreshments and get involved to better understand career paths, build networks, and gain practical tools to grow in the industry.
5:00 pm | Welcome & Framing
A short welcome to set the scene and get you ready to make the most of the evening.
5:10 – 5:30 pm | Panel Discussion
Hear candid insights from senior industry leaders on building a career in data centers — from the moments that shaped their paths, to the skills that matter most, to what they wish they’d known starting out.
5:30 – 6:20 pm | Speed Mentorship
You’ll rotate around tables, spending 10 minutes with each leader in small, informal conversations. Come with your questions, give a brief intro, and don’t forget to connect on LinkedIn before you move on.
6:20 – 6:30 pm | Open Q&A + Closing
A chance to ask anything you didn’t get to cover, before wrapping up the evening. Come ready to connect, ask real questions, and leave with at least one new insight and one new relationship.
Speakers:
Skyler Holloway
Vice President of Strategy and Portfolio, Switch
Alise Porto
SVP of Energy and Sustainability, Switch
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Neenad Dave
VP Capital Markets, Switch
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Alison Marlow
US Chair – Armed Forces, Infrastructure Masons
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Anthony Paul
Senior Director of Strategic Accounts, Salute Inc
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Tuesday, March 24, 2026
Armed Forces Breakfast
The Armed Forces Breakfast at DCD New York provides a welcoming forum for meaningful networking and the open exchange of ideas among members of the military community and the broader data center ecosystem.
Hosted by iMasons Armed forces and FlexGen, the breakfast brings together service members, veterans, industry leaders, and supporters to share experiences, discuss innovation, and build lasting professional connections.
Open to all members of the Armed Forces community and their allies, the event highlights the value of collaboration and shared perspectives in driving both personal and industry growth.
Presenters:
Alison Marlow
iMasons Armed Forces Global Lead
Joe Kallal
Director of Business Development FlexGen
Hiba Agha
Director of People Programs, iMasons
Sponsors:
Tuesday, March 24, 2026
Powering the Next Generation
Student Workshop
Future builders. Future operators. Future leaders.
This dedicated workshop provides a practical pathway into the data center ecosystem for the student community.
Through industry 101 sessions and firsthand shared career journeys and experiences, this interactive day will demystify the digital infrastructure landscape on which the world relies, and outline the career opportunities available to emerging talent.
Agenda:
10:00 – 10:20 AM | Welcome & Check-In
10:20 – 10:40 AM | Opening Remarks
10:40 – 11:00 AM | Introduction to the Nomad Futurist Academy
11:00 AM – 11:30 AM | Inside Digital Infrastructure: The Backbone of Our Connected World
11:30 AM – 12:00 PM | Q&A & Open Discussion
12:00 – 12:30 PM | Scaling Clean Power, Scaling People: Creating a Sustainable Workforce for the Digital Infrastructure Era
12:30 – 1:00 PM | Networking Lunch
1:00 – 1:30 PM | Power, Water & People: How Digital Infrastructure Can Grow Responsibly
1:30 – 2:00 PM | From Curiosity to Career: Your Path Into Digital Infrastructure
2:00 – 2:20 PM | Closing Remarks
2:20 – 3:00 PM | Q&A & Open Discussion
Presenters:
Rebecca Weekly
VP Infrastructure, GEICO
Marc Bhuyan
Product Manger, Google
Hosted in partnership with:
