Data Center World GenNext Advisory Board Named; Event Takes Place in Orlando in August

Data Center World, the leading global conference for data center, facilities and IT infrastructure, today announces Dr. Celia Merzbacher, Executive Director, Quantum Economic Development Consortium will deliver a keynote address. Data Center World is AFCOM’s annual global gathering, taking place August 16-19 at the Orlando County Convention Center.

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Dr. Celia Merzbacher of the Quantum Economic Development Consortium to Keynote at Data Center World (Photo: Business Wire)

Dr. Merzbacher will present “Quantum Computing: Preparing for the Data Center of the Future” on August 17. We've heard about quantum computing for years, and while it still has limited application today and may be a few years off, it'll be transforming the data center before we know it. When it arrives, quantum computing is expected to transform the data center like no other technology. Dr. Merzbacher will tell us when we can expect it, and what it will do for the data center. Most importantly, she’ll tell us what we should we know now -- and what we should do now -- to prepare for this transformation. The Quantum Economic Development Consortium is supported by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and more than 150 industry, academic and other members. It is managed by SRI International. Previously, Dr. Merzbacher was Vice President for Innovative Partnerships at the Semiconductor Research Corporation, a consortium of the semiconductor industry. In 2003-2008, she was Assistant Director for Technology R&D in the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy and Executive Director of the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST).

“We are living at a very exciting time in technology development. We’re excited for Celia to share her insights on why quantum computing belongs in the data center,” said Brian Gillooly, Content Director, Data Center World.

Data Center World and AFCOM’s GenNext Advisory Board

Today, Data Center World and AFCOM also officially announce its GenNext Advisory Board. The mission of the board is to share expertise and insights about data center professionals from the Millennial and Gen Z generations, which will help inform Data Center World and AFCOM’s content, research and member offerings.

The founding members of Data Center World and AFCOM’s GenNext Advisory Board include:

• Jane Hsieh, Senior Director of Sales, Aligned
• Terry Harris, Data Center Team Manager, American Electric Power
• Beth Gentle, National Manager, The Australian IT Services Group and Secretary Sydney Chapter of AFCOM
• Ryan Gruver, IT Operations Director, Banner Health
• Matt Eagen, Infrastructure Support, Bloomberg LP
• Michail Clutter, Program Manager - Technology Services, Casne Engineering, Inc.
• Ben Burich, Senior Systems Engineer, Data Center Facilities and Technologies, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center
• Christoper Deatherage, Engineer III, PSCU Inc.

“All of the board members, each individually, are passionate about the data center industry,” added Gillooly. “We’re truly excited to be working with this talented group. They will help us develop education content, shape market research, exchange best practices and more to help us develop the next generation of data center professionals and provide new insight to industry veterans. We look forward to collaborating with them to learn from and gain insights into this constantly evolving industry.”

Data Center World 2021 Conference Program

The Conference Program will offer more than 50 sessions covering essential topics like electrical power and data center design to advanced topics like 5G networks and predictive analytics.

Conference Program tracks include:

• Advanced Data Center Strategies
• Design, Build, Operate, Control
• Data Center Essentials
• Data Center Infrastructure and Platforms
• Mission Critical Facilities and Energy Management

A keynote presentation from Christina Chase, Managing Director and co-founder at Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Sports Lab will address “Big Data and Teamwork: What Businesses Can Learn from Sports Analytics.” Chase works with professional teams, global brands and elite sports organizations to tackle key questions at the intersection of data, sport and engineering. The MIT Sports Lab counts among its clients Major League Baseball, Adidas, FIFA and Google. Chase will share her insights and lessons learned with Data Center World attendees.

More than 15 case studies highlighting real-world projects from companies such as Tractor Supply Co., Banner Health, Georgia Tech and Spectrum Health will be shared with attendees.

Additionally, Data Center World has added a workshop that will provide hands-on training in evaluating and implementing next-generation data center cooling platforms.

View the full Data Center World conference program here.

Data Center World will take place August 16-19, 2021 at the Orange County Convention Center, in Orlando, Florida. Click here to register to attend Data Center World 2021.

Media interested in attending Data Center World, email Meryl Franzman at meryl.franzman@informa.com.

For additional information on exhibition or sponsorship opportunities, contact Michael Leahy at Michael.Leahy@informa.com.

Data Center World is taking steps to ensure attendee, exhibitor and partner safety. Data Center World will adapt parent company Informa’s AllSecure Plan at the event. AllSecure is Informa’s approach to ensuring the highest standards of safety, hygiene, cleanliness and operational effectiveness for all exhibitors, attendees, speakers and press. Learn more about Data Center World’s health and safety plan here.

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About Data Center World

Data Center World is the global conference for data center, facilities, and IT professionals. It offers premier education, abundant networking, and the broadest access to best-in-class vendors. Designed to help data center and IT infrastructure professionals with challenging issues, Data Center World presents top quality knowledge without bias towards a specific vendor product or service. Data Center World will be held August 16-19, 2021 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida. Data Center World is brought to you by Informa Tech.

About AFCOM

AFCOM advances data center and IT infrastructure professionals by delivering comprehensive and vendor-neutral education and peer-to-peer networking to its members around the world. Through forward-looking research, AFCOM supports thousands of IT, operations, facilities, builders/designers and vendors working in the data center and IT infrastructure industry. In serving the data center industry for more than 40 years, AFCOM has earned recognition as the market leader in educating, connecting and guiding the data center community.

About Informa Tech

Informa Tech is a market leading provider of integrated research, media, training and events to the global Technology community. We're an international business of more than 600 colleagues, operating in more than 20 markets. Our aim is to inspire the Technology community to design, build and run a better digital world through research, media, training and event brands that inform, educate and connect. Over 7,000 professionals subscribe to our research, with 225,000 delegates attending our events and over 18,000 students participating in our training programs each year, and nearly 4 million people visiting our digital communities each month. Learn more about Informa Tech.

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