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
Agenda details will be updated as we get closer to the event.
Register to Attend the iMasons Member Summit:
3/23/2026 - iMasons Member Summit at DCD NY
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.
- 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
Hiba Agha
Director of People Programs, Infrastructure Masons
Monday, March 23, 2026
Women Leading the Narrative: Data Centers, AI & Community Trust
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