DCD> Connect | Virginia 2025
Connecting the data center ecosystem to design, build & operate sustainable data centers for the AI age
Bringing together more than 2,000 senior leaders working across the cloud & colocation ecosystem, DCD>Connect | Virginia will drive industry collaboration, help you forge new partnerships, and identify innovative solutions to your core challenges.
"DCD Connect is the single most informative event to understand the industry for the spectrum of interdependent participants, from software to hardware, from power to communications. It is the single most important venue for meeting and having substantiative across the industry" - Associate, Stevens Institute of Technology
Learn more about the Connect Experience- Network with 2,000+ Senior Data Center Professionals with a 35% Cloud, Enterprise and Colocation Audience
- Meet 100+ Exhibitors showcasing the latest tech to future proof your Data Center
- Hear from 180+ leading experts from across the entire digital infrastructure stack
- Co-located with the DCD>Leadership Summit - The essential gathering for C-suite executives
Gain insights from 180+ industry leading speakers
Vice President of Data Center Development & Construction, American Real Estate Partners (AREP)
VP - Hyperscale Engineering, PointOne Data Centers
Chief Innovation Emeritus, Compass Datacenters
Rafael Garrido
CEO, 247 Data Centers
Global Principal Architect - Global Alliances, Equinix
Head of Infrastructure & Platform Architecture, GEICO
Vice President, Soben part of Accenture
Senior Director, Sustainability, Stream Data Centers
CEO, Crane Data Centers
VP, Data Center Construction, Crusoe
2025 Agenda Highlights
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Major Panel: Built for speed - Solving Virginia’s data center construction crunch
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- Main Stage
- Data Center Construction
- Open Session
Speakers
Vice President, Data Center Strategy- Americas, JLL
Chief Innovation Emeritus, Compass Datacenters
Vice President of Data Center Development & Construction, American Real Estate Partners (AREP)
Vincent Calvo
Director, Data Center Infrastructure Build, Oracle
Senior Vice President, Global Head of Data Centers and Technology, AECOM
Northern Virginia remains the world’s largest data center hub, but rapid growth is pushing the region’s infrastructure, workforce, and supply chains to their limits. As demand for hyperscale and AI-ready facilities accelerates, builders face a high-stakes logistics puzzle: how do you deliver faster, smarter, and at scale in one of the most competitive and constrained markets?
This panel will examine how evolving tariffs, grid interconnection delays, material shortages, and a red-hot real estate market are reshaping construction strategies in Virginia. With federal economic policy in flux and local municipalities tightening regulations, how can developers adapt to build at speed, without sacrificing quality, cost control, or long-term operability? Join this session to learn about:
- Chain Reaction: Can Virginia untangle its supply chain snags before the construction clock runs out?
- Permit pressure cooker: How are red tape and labor gaps slowing down the shovels?
- Prefab to the rescue? Is modular the secret to building fast without breaking the budget, or the grid?
- Speed to revenue: Which project management tools help drive earlier revenue?
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DCD>Debate: Is Virginia back in business, or has legislative pushback just been temporarily stalled?
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- Investment & Markets
- Open Session
Speakers
Head of Digital Infrastructure North America, Investec
Managing Director - TMT, Capital One
Ross Johnson
SVP of Digital Infrastructure, Amentum
Executive Director, Loudoun County Economic Development
Vice President of Business Development and External Affairs, Tract
Portfolio Manager - Investment, DCD
Virginia’s position as a data center powerhouse is under increasing scrutiny.
HB 1601, a bipartisan bill aimed at enforcing strict environmental and community impact assessments for new data center projects, ignites a clash between economic growth and local concerns. Yet Virginia's Governor's swift veto, citing the need for local discretion and less regulatory red tape, has only intensified the debate.
With market saturation approaching, the divide between proponents and opponents of data center expansion is coming to a head. As the industry focuses on AI investments, will legislative uncertainty stall progress? Is Virginia heading toward a crossroads where its business-friendly reputation collides with rising resistance?
Held under Chatham House Rule, DCD>Debates are open discussions led by a panel of experts, on the biggest issues facing the industry.
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DCD>Debate: Are data centers prioritizing sustainability optics over real impact, even amid Virginia’s clean energy push?
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- Energy & Sustainability
- Open Session
Speakers
Director of Sustainability, Data Centers, Schneider Electric
Executive Director, National Sales, Constellation Energy
Senior Director, Sustainability, Stream Data Centers
SVP Hyperscale & AI, Riot Platforms, Inc.
CEO, Crane Data Centers
CEO, InfraXmedia
With Virginia’s ambitious $8.25 billion clean energy plan, including a mix of natural gas, nuclear, and renewables, data centers claim to be part of the sustainable future. Yet, behind the optics of waterless cooling and low power consumption, data centers still rely on coal and diesel to keep operations running.
As the Energy Delta Lab and major power projects take shape, is the state's energy transition truly sustainable for data centers, or is the industry merely spinning a green story? Is there a disconnect between sustainability messaging and the gritty realities of what it takes to keep the lights on in data centers?
Conducted under Chatham House Rule, this DCD>Debate invites experts to dissect these pivotal industry issues.
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First class event that presented a wide variety of perspectives and technologies in an engaging and informative forum.
— Data Center Project Architect, AWS
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It was a fantastic event, probably the best data centre event I've attended. Great insights from NVIDIA in one of the tech sessions.
— Principal Electrical Engineer, ARUP
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The breadth and depth of expertise of panelists, speakers and other attendees continues to inform and inspire. One of the top industry conferences I make sure to attend each year.
— Senior Manager, T-Mobile USA
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It was a well organized two day event with insightful panels and discussions on key developments and trends in the industry and a great place to network and understand the sector. Thank you and well done DCD Team!
— Senior Expert, McKinsey & Company
Secure your pass
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End-User/Specifier
For end-users within the digital infrastructure industry
Who qualifies?
✅ End-users within the data center industry from Enterprise and Hyperscale
✅ End-users specializing in IT, Compute, Storage or Networking
✅ Technical roles from Colocation Operators
✅ Specifiers of data center technology & services (technical roles) from AECs (Architects, Consulting Engineers, Contractors), Systems Integrators and Energy Utilities
✅ Procurement teams
Who does not qualify?
❌ Sales & Marketing Professionals
❌ Technology or Service Vendors
❌ Resellers
❌ Recruitment Firms
Extra details
End-User/Specifier passes include invites to private activities included hosted lunches, happy hours and private dinners (subject to availability) and will also have the ability to book meetings via the event app. Complimentary food & beverages are provided throughout the event.
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Leadership Summit Pass
Exclusively for C-suite and C-1 Executives from Hyperscale and Colocation operators
Who qualifies?
✅ C-Suite executives from Hyperscale, Colocation or Cloud Services companies
✅ C-1 or equivalent decision makers from Hyperscale, Colocation or Cloud Services companies
Extra details
Leadership Summit passes include access to the exclusive, closed-door Leadership Summit on November 4, full entry to DCD>Connect | Virginia on November 3–4, invitations to private activities such as hosted lunches, and cocktail hours (subject to availability), the ability to book meetings through the event app, and complimentary food and beverages throughout the event.
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General Admission
For digital infrastructure investors, analysts and sales & marketing professionals
Who qualifies?
✅ Sales & Marketing Professionals from: Colocation & Cloud Providers, AECs (Architects, Consulting Engineers, Contractors), Systems Integrators and Energy Utilities
✅ Digital Infrastructure Investors/Analysts
✅ Law Firms & Professional Advisory Services
Who does not qualify?
❌ Technology or Service Vendors
❌ Resellers
❌ Recruitment Firms
Extra details
General Admission passes includes access to all open sessions and networking at the event including the happy hour and Icebreaker party. Also includes the ability to book meetings via the event app. Complimentary food & beverages are provided throughout the event.
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Vendor Pass
For technology vendors, service vendors, resellers and recruiters
Who qualifies?
✅ Technology or Service Vendors
✅ Resellers
✅ Recruitment Firms
Extra details
This pass provides complete access to all of the open sessions and networking that takes place at both events across November 3-4, including the Icebreaker Party, open content sessions, and the show floor.
Purchasing multiple Vendor passes
If you wish to purchase multiple passes for your team, event sponsorship could provide you more value, as all of our packages include passes for your team members and enhanced access to the event app. Please contact: [email protected] for the best rates.
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Event Highlights
