Data Center World 2026 Unveils Strategic Conference Tracks, Innovation Challenge for Start-Ups, and Industry Leadership Honors

Conference Tracks Explore Emerging IT, Sustainability, Cloud Innovation and Power Sourcing

WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Data Center World today unveiled its core conference tracks and trend outlook for the data center industry’s most pressing challenges and transformational opportunities. The program is designed to deliver actionable strategies and expert forecasts across the technologies, operations and sustainability imperatives driving digital infrastructure growth globally.

“Data Center World reflects the pace and scale of change reshaping our industry and the global economy,” said Bill Kleyman, Executive Chair, Data Center World and Contributing Editor, Data Center Knowledge. “From the rapid rise of generative AI infrastructure to the realities of sourcing sustainable and resilient power at scale, the 2026 agenda is designed to give data center leaders clear strategic insight into the challenges they face today and the decisions that will define what comes next.”

Four Strategic Conference Tracks

The 2026 agenda is anchored in four primary tracks that frame where the data center industry is headed:

• Emerging IT & Data Center Technologies – Exploring AI deployments, automation, hybrid cooling strategies and predictive operations.
• Data Center BUILD – Focused on planning, design and construction best practices for scalable, resilient facilities.
• Colocation, Hyperscale & Cloud Innovation – Addressing high-density colocation, edge computing and evolving infrastructure models.
• Power Sourcing & Sustainability – Centered on sustainable power, microgrids, regulatory impact and energy-efficient cooling.

Innovation Challenge Highlights Next-Generation Solutions

Data Center World 2026 will host its fifth annual Innovation Challenge, powered by ABB, featuring 24 startups pitching live to investors and industry leaders on April 22–23. The program will also feature a new element: the Innovation Alley. This dedicated startup exhibit area will provide participants with expanded networking and exposure opportunities.

“Through the DCW Innovation Challenge at Data Center World 2026, ABB is combining our electrification expertise with strategic partnerships to help startups scale solutions that operators can deploy in real-world data-center environments,” said Mads Moeller, Head of Electrification Ventures.

“At ABB, we believe the future of data centers will be shaped by the bold innovators challenging today's limitations. We're proud to sponsor the Innovation Challenge and engage with the startups transforming tomorrow's digital infrastructure,” said Jorge Lis, Global Segment Leader - Data Centers, ABB.

The deadline to apply for participation is February 7. For more details, visit here.

Data Center Manager of the Year Recognizes Operational Excellence

The conference will also honor industry leadership through its Data Center Manager of the Year award, now in its fourth year. The program recognizes professionals for excellence in uptime, sustainability, team leadership, innovation and strategic planning. Finalists and the winner will be recognized onsite during Data Center World 2026.

Key Industry Trends for 2026

Conference programming will explore “Innovation at Scale” - an examination of critical shifts shaping the sector, including:

• AI-Driven Infrastructure Demands
• Sustainable Power and Resilience
• Rapid Build and Modular Design
• Public Perception, Policy and Community Impact

To access full conference track details, session schedules and registration information, visit datacenterworld.com/tracks.

For additional information on exhibition or sponsorship opportunities, contact Sandra Kupiec at [e-mail].

ABOUT DATA CENTER WORLD

Data Center World is the leading global conference for data-center facilities and IT professionals, delivering premier education, expansive networking, and the widest access to best-in-class vendors. For more than 40 years, the event has helped data center and IT infrastructure leaders navigate an increasingly complex and AI-driven landscape. The event provides top-quality, vendor-neutral insights that empower professionals to solve real-world challenges. CIO Dive named Data Center World one of the top technology conferences to attend in 2024 for the second consecutive year. Additionally, for the third year in a row, Data Center World has been recognized by Trade Show Executive as a fast-growing trade show.

Data Center World 2026 will be held April 20–23 in Washington, D.C., uniting thousands of senior practitioners and hundreds of solution providers to explore the future of AI-ready infrastructure, sustainable power, edge and hyperscale innovation, and next-generation facilities.

Data Center World continues to expand its global footprint. To access the Data Center World Global Event series, visit Data Center World's Global Events.

Data Center World is produced by Informa PLC in partnership with AFCOM.

ABOUT AFCOM

AFCOM advances data center and IT 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.