Datacloud Global Congress 2025: 20 years of transforming Global Digital Infrastructure

In this week’s of the Inside Data Centre Podcast, Andy Davis is joined by Paige Reeves and Jessica Lang to preview one of the biggest events in the data centre calendar — the Data Cloud Global Congress, taking place in Cannes from June 3rd to 5th.

Key Topics:

• What to expect at Data Cloud Global Congress 2025
• The themes and key discussions shaping this year’s agenda
• Who should attend and why this event is a must for anyone in the digital infrastructure space
• Networking opportunities, new features, and what makes the Cannes setting so special

Whether you're a regular attendee or considering your first trip, this episode offers valuable insight into how to make the most of your time at the event.

🔗 Find out more and register here: Datacloud Global Congress 2025 | Celebrating 20 Years of Digital Infrastructure Leadership

Transcript

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SPEAKER_00 0:00

This is the endpoint data center podcast. Andy David.

SPEAKER_01 0:27

Welcome to the podcast. Thanks for joined by Patrick. Thanks for that. Good afternoon.

SPEAKER_03 0:33

Good afternoon, Andy. Hi.

SPEAKER_01 0:36

Thanks for coming on. It's I was trying to work out around five weeks, I believe, as we record this until Data Cloud Global Congress in Cannes. So it's in the uh crunch time for you. So I appreciate you coming on to obviously share a bit of an insight into the event. Before we do that, do you both want to give a quick introduction into who you are and what your role is within the Data Cloud Group? Jessica, should we start with you?

SPEAKER_03 1:00

Lily, hi. I'm Jessica Lang. Jess Lang, as everyone referred to me, I'm one of the um commercial leads for the Data Cloud event series, focusing on CAN as well as all of our um global events that's taking part. Um work with all our fantastic clients and um yeah, brand leading the brand, I suppose.

SPEAKER_01 1:19

Keeps you busy and Paige?

SPEAKER_03 1:21

Yeah, keeps me busy. Over to you, Paige.

SPEAKER_02 1:23

Yeah, I'm Paige Reeves. I'm a product manager for the Data Cloud series. So my focus is content. Um, so working with our leadership committee on our content for primarily Global Congress, but also some of our other regional events as well. So um, if anyone wants to speak at the event, then they have to get through me first.

SPEAKER_01 1:46

You're the test.

SPEAKER_03 1:48

She's indeed.

SPEAKER_01 1:50

It seems crazy that it's a year nearly since the first event in Cannes, which is what I was thinking about earlier before we recorded this. So as we as we come up to Global Congress 2025, you've got, I suppose you understand the venue and the location a bit better than you probably did last year. And Jess, you were just saying you're out there again tomorrow to do another recce. But what can we expect from Data Cloud Global Congress 2025?

SPEAKER_02 2:17

Yeah, so it's not only nearly a year from our move to Cannes, but it's actually 20 years of Data Cloud Global Congress this year. So we'll be celebrating our 20th anniversary. Um, in the run-up to the event, actually, we've been conducting some interviews with past speakers and attendees who maybe have not been attending for 20 years, but at least 10, 15. And it's been really interesting to hear how much the event has changed, especially someone who hasn't uh been attending the event that long myself. Um, obviously, not just the event, but also the industry looks completely different even to like five years ago. Um, so on site, we're gonna have some cool 20th anniversary um photo opportunities that people can look out for, and we hope to see those going around on LinkedIn. Um, we were also gonna have a special award for um the best in-show stand. Um, so we're hoping that's a little bit of friendly competition for all of our exhibitors. Um, so that will be opening on day two. So while you're walking around the expo on day one um and you're doing all your networking, take a look, choose which one your favourite stand is, and then we'll have a vote on day two.

SPEAKER_03 3:26

And touching on that as well, um, what Paige mentioned with regards to Mandy, what you mentioned, I'm going to be on site in Cannes next, well, tomorrow. Um, as you know, it was this is going to be our second year in Cannes, which was a fantastic move, and all of our loyal delegates, I'm glad it went down well with them. I think um everyone can appreciate how difficult it is to move such a mammoth event to a new location. So there was always going to be some teething issues, but all of our lovely clients, our delegates have given amazing feedback. So as a team, one of our first jobs was to knuckle down, figure out how we can um make mitigate these issues that um happened last year, which was mainly around the registration. So, what I want to make sure and um everyone aware that we are opening our registration a lot earlier. So at 11am on the Tuesday, you can come in whether you're a sponsor or a delegate and collect your badge. We've also introduced a VIP uh badge collection, a dedicated um VIP badge collection um line for our gold level sponsors and above, as well as our VIP speakers. Um, yeah, the event is definitely reflecting what's happening in the event and industry. We've doubled the number of sponsors and exhibitors. So at the team, we're very incredibly proud of that. Um, there are a number of new things that are happening um at the event, um, we're going to have some digital art, data center-centric art display at the event as well. Um, we're also bringing back um Digital Infra Leadership Summit, which is the seventh edition, um, which is an invitation-only workshop, which takes place on the Tuesday, um, we where we bring CXOs from the data center industry on site with select hyperscalers and have a highly interactive conversation on the Chat and House rules. So we're super excited for that. There's a great um attendee list, as well as um the Talenting Tech, which we can go into a little bit more details later on, and the Data Cloud Global Awards. So look forward to wrap up the event.

SPEAKER_01 5:25

A lot happening.

SPEAKER_03 5:26

A lot happening indeed.

SPEAKER_01 5:28

And I think I agree with you as well. I think events are a great way to gauge the industry as a whole. Like the growth of the events scene is crazy, and like individual events like yours, when it's like Data Cloud Global Congress, when you go once a year, you do see that growth. You kind of notice it because it's 12 months since you last attended. And I think, like you're saying, you know, more exhibitors, more attendees, more sponsors. It's just an example of how this industry is on that transitional journey from you know from where it was 20 years ago when you started, which I'm sure there must be someone out there that's been to all 20 as well. And I'd love to.

SPEAKER_03 6:02

I think there is. So we're doing some exciting um interviews and articles, you'll you'll see. And there are there are a handful of individuals who's still around, and um luckily, you know, we've in really good um communication and in touch with them, so there's some exciting articles coming through around that. Um, as she said, the industry, you know, it's a great way to gauge. And from for us, being behind the scene working with the entire ecosystem, you know, Paige and I have quite privileged to work with varied, not just the operators, the SMEs, or you know, all the providers in the in the industry and get their feedback. And it's it's positive, it's demanding, and you know, there are still a lot of work to do, but I feel like as a platform, this is the one that you can really gauge what's happening. Um, yeah.

SPEAKER_01 6:48

Sorry, times and content. I always talk to you, Paige, about this one I know, and it's uh it's impossible to keep up with this industry. And I think you do you do an amazing job at it, but it is really, really difficult to ensure that that content is as relevant as it can be when you're planning an event over the course of 12 plus months, and then everything changes on that journey. So, what are the I guess the key content pillars this year? What can we expect from some of the discussions?

SPEAKER_02 7:15

Yeah, so I think what I mean, certainly for my job in particular, what makes this event really exciting is how important the content is. Obviously, we do have lots of other stuff going on at the event and our great expo, but um, you know, last year our content was really, really well attended. So bearing that in mind, we've actually um doubled the size of our keynote theatre um and also our innovation theatre, which we build on the expo floor. So um I know that was another feedback that our keynote um sessions were packed and it was standing room only. Um, so there'll be more space for people to attend the sessions. Um, so we have uh so over the uh two days, we have three full tracks of content. So we've got our keynote theatre, our innovation theatre, and then we have another track which is called Data Cloud Engage, um, and that hosts panels and also workshops. So we run a number of um sponsor or association-led workshops. Um, you can check these out um when you go on the app or on the uh website. Um, and some of them invite only others you'll be able to um kind of apply to attend. So um make sure that everyone checks that out. Um, content and theme-wise, I'd say power is really big this year. So I think we spoke about that a bit last year, um, but it feels like power is probably as important as um AI. Of course, you know, we're not gonna run an event and not talk about AI, but I think the theme for AI really is kind of 12 months on. So last year we obviously had um keynotes and panels where everyone was talking about it, but it felt a bit crystal ball. Let's look into the future, where now I think the focus is 12 months on what are we doing, and then kind of linked to that construction, planning, and design. So um, as you know, people are building these large um AI gigawatt data centers, what does that look like from a you know planning uh perspective? And then also design and construction, what are you putting in your data center to actually um be able to run it? Um, so they're the kind of biggest themes for this year.

SPEAKER_01 9:21

Yeah, power's the one that everyone's talking about at the moment. I agree. I think um AI is a AI is a difficult one, isn't it? Because it's so all-encompassing. It's kind of everything, everything filters into it. Like you can't discuss AI as a broad topic, but yeah, the different elements, yeah, the aspects.

SPEAKER_02 9:37

And everyone always wants to talk about it as well.

SPEAKER_01 9:40

Exactly. It's an acronym. We love an acronym. And speaker-wise, I know that um one thing that's great about Global Congress is you bring in speakers from all over the world, which I think is being in Europe. I mean, obviously based in the UK, I travel a lot in Europe, but don't always get to hear from the speakers from the US and and APAC and alike. So, any particular speakers you've got your eye on this year that we should we should look out for?

SPEAKER_02 10:04

Um, yeah, so I think in general, obviously our like our keyno panels and interviews um tend to be the big ones. So, some speakers we've got across those sessions are um Val Walsh from Microsoft, we've got Chris Sharp, the CTO of Digital Realty, Doug Adams, CEO and president of NTT Global Data Centers. Um, on day two, we have a keynote interview with Dan Madrigal, VP Cloud of AI sourcing at Oracle. And then a presentation from Lex Cause on his new book, um, The Seventh Wave We Are AI. So it's a bit of an exclusive from Lex, which we're very excited about. Um, and then across the full agenda, we're actually we've got C-suite representatives from most of the major uh data center operators. So we've got like Equity Expertis, QTS, Cyrus One, um, and then also some of the large enterprise as well. So we've got speakers from Uber and Salesforce and Bloomberg um speaking across the the two days. Um so I'd like to encourage everyone to make sure that they don't just go to the keynotes, they also go to some of the other sessions because um it's really like the the sessions are really, really strong um this year. And I think, you know, we were talking about kind of the response from the from the industry. Um one of the things I've noticed in particular is so many people have wanted to speak. It's been it's a really full agenda this year. Um, and that is kind of reflecting how much people are, you know, wanting to kind of get out and um and actually take part in these panel discussions. Um so yeah, I'm very excited.

SPEAKER_01 11:37

And does the event look a little different this year, Jess? And if you're you've got more sponsors, more exhibitors.

SPEAKER_03 11:42

Yeah, I guess, I guess you could say that the event has definitely grown, especially comparing it to uh, I know you know, we have a lot a lot of people who still um are a fan of Monaco from comparing to that to where it is, it's definitely have grown. But one of the things that we always try and make sure, and that we were proud of as well, the event is still very much attracts the C-suite, the six, you know, over 65%, I would say even 70% of the delegates that we had registered so far are from that high level of representation, which is fantastic. So, although the event has grown and there's going to be a number of new features um in display, like like Paige mentioned, there's going to be the Data Cloud Engage workshop room, which a lot of the data center association is now taking part um as well, and a couple of you know fantastic new additions, like um from the podcast that we're going to be doing there, Andy. You're gonna you're going to have a lovely spot in the um on the terrace over overlooking the so it's there's not lots of new additions. So the event has grown in that sense and it has a different feel to it, but we're still protecting the original Data Cloud Global Congress offering. So um all the feedback has been positive so far. So we're super excited to be on site. Um, you know, like Sochneid Electric's got some exciting branding um activations that's happening on site. We have the lovely Mercury team bringing on bringing the Rose A wine bar downstairs again. We have TSL sponsoring the Data Cloud um welcome reception on Tuesday. So make sure everyone comes to that. There's plenty of um beverages and some 20th anniversary treats available. And Legrand's doing the welcome drinks reception on day one. So there's it's as you know, Andy, I don't have to repeat, this is one of those events that it's it's content, it's networking, it's it's where you meet people and where where the decisions, one of those important conversations take place. So hopefully we can deliver that again in 2025.

SPEAKER_01 13:43

Yeah, I've no doubt you will. And I think the the increase in numbers, obviously, there's an increase in executives in this industry. There's an increase in companies in this industry. Companies have grown significantly, which means you need more senior level individuals as well. So again, the growth's reflective in it's not the, like you say, it's not that the um the attendees are changing, it's more just there's more of them now.

SPEAKER_03 14:04

That's exactly that. And and to your point earlier, you know, it is now turning into a global platform. We have the likes of the Middle Eastern operators taking part actively and since then they're seeing. There's a lot of different investment funds, um, companies that attending as well, as well as you know, we have likes of PDG representing APAC. So it is truly a global platform, but reiterating a point, a lot of C-Suits from those platforms are coming from from um from this region's attending as well.

SPEAKER_01 14:35

Yeah, definitely. And one point I always like to cover now when I'm talking to events is to give your tips, your top tips for people attending. And I thought of one earlier, Paige, plan. That's my top tip for anyone that's when you were saying like try and attend the try and attend the talks. Oh, like it's so difficult. Um, so I always have to plan what talks I want to go to so that I know 100% that time is is is my time, so I'm gonna go because otherwise you get it's easy to get distracted at at these events. So, what would your top tip be for anyone, whether they're attending for the first time or attending for the 20th time?

SPEAKER_02 15:09

Yeah, our main tip is to download the Tokorico Networking app. So that's the new app for this year. Um Tokoriko that owns Data Cloud. So we're a um a collection of different brands, others you might have heard of, ITW capacity. Um so it's the Tokorico Networking app. If you attend um lots of our events, it's one app, and then all of your events that you attend go into the same app every time. Um, and it is the must-have to navigate the event. So, in you know, talking about planning, you can view the agenda, you can create your own personalized schedule, and then you'll get notifications of when those sessions are starting. You can book your meetings, you can see all of our attendees. Um, there's a scan to connect function. So when you're chatting with someone, you can scan their badge and then it will um, you know, create a list of everyone that you've met at the event. Um, and there's also an interactive floor plan. So obviously, I know a lot of people last year attending Cam for the first time were maybe struggling to find where things are. Um, we have addressed that with signage, but also there's um kind of wayfinding. So you can say, you know, I'm here, I want to get here, and the interactive floor plan will guide you to where you're trying to go, whether that's if you're trying to find a session or if you're trying to find a meeting. Um, so the app's probably the number one thing that you need.

SPEAKER_03 16:31

Absolutely. Um reiterating that point, and it has a GPS timing as well. So no one can be late for a meeting now. So we've tried to mitigate that.

SPEAKER_01 16:40

I don't know if I want that though.

SPEAKER_03 16:43

I know you can't hide behind. Oh, is it five minutes or the ten minutes that you have actual timing?

SPEAKER_01 16:48

Yeah, and if we can, we'll put I think I'm sure we can do this. We'll put the link for the app in the in the code. Absolutely, it would be great.

SPEAKER_03 16:54

And then and everyone who's registered will have access to that app and do look out because these things end up in people's spam folder, but it's the uh most important tool I'd suggest. And also from a networking perspective as well, right? Sometimes you collect business cards, it's it's three, four days of jam-packed and having it all digitally and at the end of the event, you'll be able to export it into Excel format as well. So it's a great and handy tool to have. So if we if we can share that link, we'll try and do that on here as well. That'll be great.

SPEAKER_01 17:23

Yeah, definitely. And ticket-wise, I know that you your record attendance this year, I believe, but where if anyone's anyone's out there still wants to register, where's where's the best place to register for tickets?

SPEAKER_02 17:36

So you can go to our website um and get them directly through there. Or I believe, Andy, in your newsletter, there's Andy's newsletter, there is a link.

SPEAKER_03 17:46

Absolutely.

SPEAKER_02 17:46

Which everyone should be registered for. So if you register for Andy's newsletter, then you've got a link and uh and a special code as well. So they're probably the best spaces to uh to find um the link to register.

SPEAKER_01 17:57

Yeah, and again, we'll put that in the show notes to direct anyone, but if you can't find it, just drop me a message and I'll uh point you in the right direction. And before I let you go and and carry on with planning this momentous event in 20 years, what's next for Data Cloud? I know you've always got a lot happening, so what's next? So you can tell us. It's probably something you can't, but what can you tell us?

SPEAKER_02 18:18

Yeah, the calendar is busy. So um next we are going to be in the US. So it's our flagship Data Cloud USA. Um, that is in Austin, Texas, uh, September 16th and 17th. Um, it was an amazing event last year, and this year we've um actually decided to join forces with one of our sister brands, Metro Connect. So it's Data Cloud USA and MetroConnect Fall. Um, and the reason for that is the data center industry with the fiber industry, um, which in the US is really important. So it's kind of the classic uh data cloud event that you would expect with all of the operators and all of the hyperscalers, um, but also bringing the um fiber and kind of finance people as well. So that's um next, then our next big one. And then Jess, I'll let you go through the calendar.

SPEAKER_03 19:13

Of course, I'll I'll keep it brief. Um we are we we are covering global, global, um, I'll try and offer a global platform here. One of the best things about working um for the Tecorico brand is we have we cover the entire digital ecosystem. We work with, you know, our sister company is ITW, International Telecom Week, which is taking place um next week in Washington. We also have capacity events. So we joined forces and by doing this, it gives us um and our delegates, not just it's a one-stop shop essentially. So for us, we're very excited to go back to Nairobi um in September, which is ITW and Data Cloud Africa, which is bringing the entire that region again, something to look out for, um somewhere to look out for as well. There's a lot of interest, and we're bringing the entire digital ecosystem, not just the data centers, cloud hyperscavers, we're bringing the carrier, the fiber connectivity piece as well. So that's happening, taking place in September. Following that, we will be in ITW and Data Cloud Asia, Singapore, connecting again, similar to what we do in Nairobi, bringing the entire ecosystem together in uh December in Singapore. And we'll be returning to um a bit of heat to Dubai, cover Data Cloud and Capacity Middle East, um, which will be at the Grand Height again. Again, that's a fantastic event. Over 3,000 um delegates from across the MENA region, digital ecosystem, and that area, um no doubt. And you don't need to reiterate this, but that is a region to look out for. So we're here to, we're as the as event series, we're hoping that you know we are providing the right platform across globally. Um, and again, very excited to saying excited a lot here, because I am truly am for our Energy NESG. The second edition will be coming back to Brussels in March. Um and that will be discussing that all key message, in which is power and what we're doing as industry and bringing that community together to discuss power in more of a granular level.

SPEAKER_01 21:10

There's one thing this industry is it's exciting, so you're right. Well, I think you do a great you do a great job, you know, I think that. And obviously you've got events all over the world, which again demonstrates where this industry's going and and how it's changed and the new locations that have been added since what was the first event 20 years ago. I'm sure that's a story in itself that we could uh we could talk about on a podcast, no doubt. But you're very busy, so I'm gonna let you go. Jess, you've got to probably pack for your couple of days. Indeed.

SPEAKER_03 21:38

Well, yeah, very again, looking forward to going to Cannes and to seeing the venue, which is going to be completely different in a few weeks' time. Um, as I said, really exciting changes that are going to take place. But overall, logistically, we've kept everything the same. So hopefully our delegates will see all the hard work we put in and all the feedback and really excited to bring the community back together in Cannes.

SPEAKER_01 21:59

Definitely. And Paige, you've probably got to look at the agenda and see what massive news has happened. Try and squeeze that in in the next three, four weeks.

SPEAKER_02 22:08

Yes. Uh yeah, but it's it's all uh prep now. So obviously, we do a lot of prep on um all the panels and connecting all the speakers together before and yeah, making sure that all um everyone's registered for the for the event. So my life is just admin for the next five weeks.

SPEAKER_01 22:27

Yeah, well, I look forward to having a drink with you on the terrace in Cannes in four-ish weeks when this gets released. Thanks both. I'm gonna let you go now. You're very busy. I will see you. If I don't see you, I'll see you in Cannes, but I might see you before. But thanks for your time. Well done and what you've done so far, and uh good luck with the next four or five weeks.

SPEAKER_03 22:45

Super. Thanks, Andy. Great thanks for having us.