Event Schedule

Come early, network with your peers, and get ready for a great day!

Registration Table Location:  J120, Main Auditorium Lobby
Continental Breakfast provided by Chef Denis and HTC Culinary Students: Event Center

Looking for directions and parking info?  Venue Info

Welcome!

Audience Focus:  All conference attendees
Location:  J120, Main Auditorium

AFCOM Greater Minnesota Chapter President, Thom Jackson from Dunham Associates, will kick off the event with exciting announcements. 

Opening Keynote

Audience Focus:  All conference attendees
Location:  J120, Main Auditorium

Welcome Artecia Wilson, Director of Technology at AT&T, as she shares her journey to a career in high tech and what keeps her inspired to stay in the game.  

Speaker Photos and Bios

Session 1A   Embracing Demand and Mitigating Operational Impact

Audience Focus: Industry Track
Location:  Event Center

Paul Carr from JLL will share his insights on emerging issues and how to lessen their impact. As the demand for data storage and processing skyrockets, the data center industry faces an urgent challenge—resource constraints that threaten operational resilience. From power grid limitations and water scarcity to supply chain disruptions and regulatory pressures, these issues are no longer on the horizon; they’re already impacting operations. In this keynote, we’ll explore the key pain points emerging in the industry, examine their real-world consequences, and discuss innovative strategies to mitigate their impact. By taking proactive steps today, we can build a more sustainable, efficient, and resilient digital infrastructure for the future.

Speaker Photos and Bios

Session 1B   Data Centers 101 (What is a Data Center and why would I want to work there?)

Audience Focus: Students, Career Changers, and Industry Newbies Track
Location:  J120, Main Auditorium

Curious about what exactly a data center is and why it's becoming an increasingly attractive career option? Join Thom Jackson from Dunham Associates for an engaging keynote presentation designed for students and career changers eager to explore the exciting world of data centers and the diverse range of career pathways they offer. Whether you're passionate about hardware, software, networks, cybersecurity, or industrial building design and maintenance, this session will show you how your interests can translate into rewarding and high-demand roles within the data center industry.

Speaker Photos and Bios

Audience Focus:  All conference attendees
Location:  Event Center

11:15am:  Menu Presentation by Chef Denis and the HTC Culinary Students

11:30am-12:30pm:  Lunch Buffet Served

Lunch Event Opportunities (Available either before or after you enjoy lunch)

11:15am-1:00pm:  Exhibitors - Event Center: Visit the Exhibitor and Career Fair Tables before or after lunch!  Discover new products and expand your professional network. Whether you are a seasoned professional or starting to learn about the data center industry, our exhibitors look forward to meeting you, answering your questions, and sharing information about career opportunities in the industry. 

11:15am-1:00pm:  College and Career Fair - Student Commons:
Interested in starting an Internship Program? Stop by and see Jodi Heurung at the North Memorial Health.
Curious about our Data Center program and other degree options at HTC?  Stop by and visit with ITEC faculty. 
Interested in supporting women pursuing high-tech careers? Stop by the Be Bold Break the Mold table.

12:15pm-12:45pm: Walk and Talk Tour of HTC:  Ready to get some steps after that gourmet lunch?  Meet your VIP Tour Guides:  Alison Forbs, VP of Advancement, and Cara Garrett, Academic Dean.  This guided walking tour will make stops at the new ITEC Student Data Center, networking and cyber classrooms, and the industrial building engineering and maintenance areas. Along the way, you will learn about several other of the 40+ programs preparing students for high-demand careers. Grab a new or former colleague and join our walk and talk tour!  Let’s have some fun!  This tour will also be offered as an option at 3:00pm.

12:30pm-12:50pm: Data Center Lift Demonstration: From zero to 60!  Win Koepper from ServerLIFT will demonstrate how one individual can safely rack and stack a server! 

Greet our amazing Sponsors and thank them for lunch and an amazing day!

Session 2A  Power Panel: How Minnesota is Fueling Data Centers for AI

Audience Focus: Industry Track
Location:  Event Center

As the demand for AI-driven innovation skyrockets, data centers are at the heart of powering this technological revolution. Minnesota is emerging as a key player in supporting AI infrastructure, leveraging its abundant renewable energy, strategic location, and cutting-edge technology ecosystem. In this panel discussion, Colleen Eddy of the State of MN, will moderate a discussion of data center professionals and energy experts as they share their experiences and challenges of meeting the growing energy and cooling demands of AI-driven data centers. Panelists include: Tom Lambrecht, GRE, Jake Andre, Xcel Energy, and Jeffrey Rainey, Dakota Electric. 

Session 2B   DC Power 101 (The Fundamentals and Future of Data Center Energy)

Students, Career Changers, and Industry Newbies Track:
Location:  J120, Main Auditorium

Join Brad Wilson from 3M for an insightful session on the fundamentals of power requirements in the data center industry. This breakout session is designed to provide attendees with a comprehensive understanding of the power dynamics that drive enterprise, colocation, and hyperscale facilities.  Come learn about:

• Power Requirements: How much power is needed to run different types of data centers, including enterprise, colocation, and hyperscale facilities.

• Understanding Megawatts: What is a megawatt, and why is it a critical unit of measurement in the data center industry?

• Power Distribution: The journey of power from the power grid to the data center floor, including the infrastructure involved.

• Power Infrastructure: An overview of the physical and technical infrastructure required to support data center power needs.

• Standards and Best Practices: Industry standards and best practices for power management in data centers.

Brad will also address questions from attendees, providing expert insights into the complexities of power management in modern data centers. Whether you are new to the industry or looking to deepen your knowledge, this session will equip you with the essential information needed to understand and manage power in data centers effectively.

Session 3A  End User Panel Discussion

Audience Focus: Industry Track
Location:  Event Center

Get a firsthand look at the exciting projects and complex challenges shaping the data center industry today. In this dynamic panel discussion, data center professionals working on the front lines will share their real-world experiences, from deploying cutting-edge technologies to tackling operational hurdles like energy constraints, sustainability goals, and evolving security demands. Gain valuable insights into what it takes to keep these mission-critical facilities running and hear directly from the experts driving innovation and resilience in the field. Amy Dunton, will moderate a discussion of data center professionals as they share their experiences and challenges of managing Enterprise Data Centers. Panelists include: Dan Curry, Oppidan; Tiffany Kovaleski, Overwatch; and Phillip Sandino, tract

Session 3B  A Day in the Life of a Data Center Technician (and the leadership team!), Sponsored by Itascapoint Advisory Services

Audience Focus: Students, Career Changers, and Industry Newbies Track
Location:  J120, Main Auditorium

In this session, you will hear about data center career pathways from the newest member of the team and the leadership team that hired him. Keith Meierhofer, Rick Thissen, and Michael Sakariassen of Itascapoint Advisory Services will take you on a journey through a typical day in the life of a data center technician and the project planning and visioning needed to create an effective team. They will share how they landed in the data center industry while sharing anecdotes, best practices, and lessons learned along the way. From routine maintenance tasks to troubleshooting complex issues under pressure, you'll get a firsthand glimpse into the diverse range of duties that make up the role of a data center technician. Finally, they will discuss the current trends in data centers and how they impact future data center technicians.

Reflections on the Day and Final Announcements

Audience Focus:  All conference attendees
Location:  Event Center

AFCOM Greater Minnesota Chapter President, Thom Jackson from Dunham Associates.

It is time to celebrate the day!

Audience Focus:  All conference attendees
Location:  Event Center

A Walk and Talk Tour of HTC

Audience Focus:  All conference attendees wanting to get some steps in while learning more about HTC!
Location:  Tour will begin directly following the AFCOM Event Closing Remarks in the Event Center

We’re glad you’re here and we can’t wait to show you around our campus! Meet your VIP Tour Guides:  Alison Forbs, VP of Advancement, and Cara Garrett, Academic Dean.  This guided walking tour will make stops at the new ITEC Student Data Center, networking and cyber classrooms, and the industrial building engineering and maintenance areas. Along the way, you will learn about several other of the 40+ programs preparing students for high-demand careers. Grab a new or former colleague and join our walk and talk tour!  Let’s have some fun!

Continue the conversation at the AFCOM Member and Industry Partner Happy Hour.

Off-site campus location:  Mad Jacks Sports Cafe, Brooklyn Park. 

Must be 21+ to attend.