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Speakers and Panels
State of the Southern Market: Trends, Opportunities, and Challenges in Dallas and Texas
Nelson Abramson
CEO
Verrus
Jerry Blair
Co-Founder
DataBank
Mark Calvano
President
Calvano Development
Gordon Kellerman
EVP
Skybox Datacenters
Erich Sanchack
CEO
Salute
Chelsea Pullen
Shareholder
Greenberg Traurig
Data Center Cooling Innovations: Preparing for the AI Era
Steve Altizer
President & CEO
Compu Dynamics
Craig Cook
SVP, Solutions Architecture & Engineering
Flexential
Reagan Kneese
Director of Origination
Maverick Water Group
Nabeel Mahmood
Co-Founder
Nomad Futurist Foundation
Dave Meadows
Director, Technology
STULZ Air Technology Systems
Jim Roche
SVP, Engineering
CyrusOne
John Boggs
Director, Thermal Sales
Vertiv
Data Center Financing and Capital Markets: Navigating a Dynamic Landscape
Fentress Boyse
Member of Mgmt., Private Infrastructure - Americas
Partners Group
Vardahn Chaudhry
SVP, Asset Management
PowerHouse Data Centers | AREP
Bryan Marsh
Managing Director, North America
StratCap Data Centers
Jeffrey Moerdler
Partner & Chair, Data Center & Digital Infrastructure
Haynes and Boone, LLP
Patty Anderson
VP, Data Center Solutions
BGIS
Next-Gen Data Center Operations: Managing Uptime, Automation, and Human Capital in the AI Era
Dagi Berhane
Founder & CEO
Tlarity
Jon Gould
Director
Schneider Electric
Andrew Jimenez
Sr. Director, Data Center Solutions
Wesco
David McCall
Brand Evangelist
QTS Data Centers
Michael Murphy
VP, Commissioning & Operations Engineering
Compass Datacenters
Andre Patrick
VP, Data Center Practice
Introba
Craig Compiano
CEO
Modius
Modern Data Center Development: Navigating Speed, Scale, and Sustainability in the Field
Sanjay Agrawal
CEO
AG&E
Luke Peters
VP, Data Center Construction
Prologis
David Pickett
VP, Engineered Systems
McGough Construction
Tyler La Susa
VP, Business Operations
TRC Companies
David Brody
Market Development Manager
Doxel
Mo Wright
Director, Architectural Systems
Gate Precast
Data Center Security From the Outside In
Altaf Bora
Managing Partner
Arcturus Consulting Group
John Riotte
Global Physical Security, Data Center
Meta
Brandy Byrd Chapman
Business Development Specialist l Mission Critical
Ameristar Perimeter Security
Construction & Engineering for AI and Beyond: Designing for Density, Efficiency, and Flexibility
Steve Williams
VP & Head of Design
CIVE
Andy Kirby
General Manager, AMERS EPC
Microsoft
Craig Pennington
CTO
Montera Infrastructure
Robbie Sovie
EVP, Construction & Development
T5 Data Centers
Tom Spackman
Owner & CEO
Gigabit Fiber
Tyler Stevenson
SVP
Clune Construction
Kurt Lindorfer
Founding Principal
PARADIGM Structural Engineers
Optimizing Supply Chain, Quality, and Capacity Planning Amid Unprecedented Growth
Marc Bhuyan
Former Product Manager
Marcus Hassen
VP, Mission Critical Operations & Group Manager
Truist
Jake Ring
CEO & Co-Founder
PDM - Power and Data Management
Adam Wiggins
Manager, Data Center Segment
Camfil
Powering the Future: Onsite Energy Strategies, Utilization Efficiency & Sustainable Design
JP Buzzell
VP - Data Center Chief Architect
Eaton
Knoell Coombs
VP
Life Cycle Power
Chris Handwerk
Chief Commercial Officer
Amp Americas
Gabe Kenyon
VP
Sabey Data Centers
Charlie Beecherl
CEO
WTG Energy
Clayton Gibbons
Head of Power Systems
SPOC GRID
Presentation: Best Practices for Maximizing Performance and Minimizing the Risk in Direct to Chip Applications
Pete Elliott
Consultant
ChemTreat
Presentation: Presentation: Top Ten Data Center Legal and Business Issues for Powered Land, Leases and MSA's That You Should Know About
Jeffrey Moerdler
Partner & Chair, Data Center & Digital Infrastructure
Haynes and Boone
Remarks
Adeel Usman
VP
Power and Data Management
WHAT YOU WILL LEARN AT THIS DATA CENTER EVENT
What You'll Learn
What data center development trends are taking shape in Texas and Southern states such as Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Louisiana?
Dallas is one of the fastest-growing data centers in the United States, and set a new absorption record of 386 MW in 2023, with most new supply for 2024 and 2025 already pre-leased - how much more development is expected?
What are the current cooling strategies being deployed for the nex-gen chips being released that are extremely power hungry?
How can data center operators utilize current tools and strategies to make their new and current facilities smarter and more efficient?
One of the biggest challenges today is building data centers in an environment that is rapidly changing and advancing, how are developers navigating the hurdle and building in flexibility?
How are stakeholders thinking about capacity planning and supply chain for future builds?
How much power is currently available and how is Texas learning from other states that are limited power distribution like Virginia and Georgia?
The Dallas-Forth Worth area is experiencing a land rush for all asset types, so what does this mean for data center development and site selection?
How are deals getting done in today's climate? How is the sentiment changing given the steady high interest rates?
How You'll Do More Business From Attending: Get up to speed on one of the fastest growing tier I data center markets, learn what customers are looking for and make better business decisions based on the right insights.
Who You'll Meet During Networking: CEOs, investors, vice president of design and construction/operations, owners, head of acquisitions, providers, contractors, engineers, brokers, developers
Are you an end user*?
Click here to be considered for a complimentary pass. *Hyperscaler, colocation provider (non-sales), investor, private equity, or enterprise tenant.
To request disability-related accommodations, please contact ally.araco@bisnow.com no later than seven business days prior to the event.
For questions, group ticket rates or interest in becoming a speaker or sponsor, please email our DICE Global Director, Adam Knobloch, adam.knobloch@bisnow.com
Agenda
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
|
12:30 PM
1:25 PM
|
Registration, Breakfast and Networking
|
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1:25 PM
1:30 PM
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Opening Remarks: Welcome to DICE South!
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|
1:30 PM
2:15 PM
|
State of the Southern Market: Trends, Opportunities, and Challenges in Dallas and Texas
In 2023, the Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) data center market achieved a record absorption of 386 MW, nearly seven times the 2020 figure, driven by surging demand for AI and machine learning services. Vacancy rates hit an all-time low of 3.73%, with most new supply for 2024 and 2025 already pre-leased. Major developments include Google's $600 million campus and Compass Datacenters' 350 MW expansion in Red Oak. Despite robust growth, challenges like utility constraints and rising land prices persist. Where are the opportunities today and how are developers navigating the challenges? |
|
2:15 PM
3:00 PM
|
Data Center Cooling Innovations: Preparing for the AI Era
The rise of AI workloads has intensified heat generation in data centers, prompting a shift towards advanced cooling solutions. Liquid cooling technologies, including immersion and direct-to-chip systems, are gaining traction, with 22% of data centers already adopting such methods. Innovations like AI-optimized dielectric fluids and neural cooling control systems are enhancing efficiency and reliability, ensuring facilities can accommodate high-density AI clusters without overheating. How is cooling and operations evolving to support this new era? |
|
3:00 PM
3:15 PM
|
Presentation: Top Ten Data Center Legal and Business Issues for Powered Land, Leases and MSA's That You Should Know About
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3:15 PM
3:45 PM
|
Quick Coffee Break
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3:45 PM
4:25 PM
|
Data Center Financing and Capital Markets: Navigating a Dynamic Landscape
Data centers have emerged as one of the strongest-performing asset classes in commercial real estate, attracting billions in institutional and private capital. However, recent reports indicate that companies like Amazon are reassessing aggressive leasing strategies, reflecting a cautious approach amid economic uncertainties and scrutiny over massive AI infrastructure investments. How are investors deploying capital today given the industry dynamics and economic headwinds? How are Powered Land Assemblages being put together and financed? |
|
4:25 PM
4:45 PM
|
Presentation: Best Practices for Maximizing Performance and Minimizing the Risk in Direct to Chip Applications
|
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4:45 PM
5:30 PM
|
Next-Gen Data Center Operations: Managing Uptime, Automation, and Human Capital in the AI Era
As AI workloads bring unprecedented complexity and power demands, data center operators are being asked to manage more with less — less downtime, less latency, and fewer people on the floor. Operations teams are embracing DCIM platforms, predictive maintenance, robotics, and automation, while still grappling with workforce shortages and evolving skill requirements. How are operators evolving their models to balance automation, resiliency, and human expertise in high-demand environments? |
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5:30 PM
6:40 PM
|
Networking Lunch!
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5:50 PM
6:20 PM
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Lunch & Learn: Data Center Security From the Outside In: The Impacts of Physical and Cyber Vulnerabilities
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5:50 PM
6:20 PM
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Lunch & Learn: Data Center Security From the Outside In: The Impacts of Physical and Cyber Vulnerabilities
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6:40 PM
7:25 PM
|
Modern Data Center Development: Navigating Speed, Scale, and Sustainability in the Field
As timelines compress and sites become more complex, development teams are turning to prefabrication, integrated delivery models, and automation to meet demand. The panel will discuss how contractors, architects, and integrators are overcoming power infrastructure delays, land use challenges, and regulatory complexity — all while aiming for carbon reduction and project certainty. What innovations in construction are redefining how hyperscale and colocation data centers are delivered in 2025 and beyond? |
|
7:25 PM
8:10 PM
|
Construction & Engineering for AI and Beyond: Designing for Density, Efficiency, and Flexibility
The rise of AI, HPC, and immersive workloads is pushing traditional construction & engineering boundaries. As average rack densities jump from 10kW to 30kW+ and liquid cooling becomes essential, developers, contractors and engineers are redesigning physical buildings, mechanical, electrical, and structural systems to keep pace. This panel will explore how leading teams are approaching construction, flexibility, efficiency, and envelope optimization in next-gen designs. How can contractors, developers, hyperscalers and engineers design & build with enough adaptability to support today's performance demands and tomorrow's unknowns? |
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8:10 PM
8:25 PM
|
Quick Coffee Break
|
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8:25 PM
9:05 PM
|
Optimizing Supply Chain, Quality, and Capacity Planning Amid Unprecedented Growth
Long lead times, equipment shortages, and global competition for resources have pushed the industry into a new procurement paradigm. Adaptive planning, digital twins, and multi-year supplier agreements are the new norm.How can supply chains become more agile and predictive to meet next-gen capacity demands? |
|
9:05 PM
9:40 PM
|
Powering the Future: Onsite Energy Strategies, Utilization Efficiency & Sustainable Design
With power availability becoming a limiting factor, developers are turning to onsite generation, storage, and smarter utilization models. From hydrogen fuel cells to heat reuse and carbon-aware computing, this session explores innovations reshaping how data centers are powered.What blend of onsite solutions will define sustainable, resilient power strategies in the AI era? |
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9:40 PM
10:45 PM
|
Closing Cocktail Reception!
|
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