Join us for MTC’s Inaugural Maryland Data Center Summit on August 29, 2024

This event brings together industry leaders, innovators, and policymakers to explore the future of data centers in Maryland. Discussions will focus on the continued growth of data centers to meet the demands of an ever-digitizing world and the innovative concept of Ecoscale. Additionally, they will explore how data centers can enhance human life by supporting critical services. The summit will address workforce development to meet the industry's unique needs, sustainable data center practices, energy efficiency to minimize environmental impact, and the critical issue of power supply. Central to the summit is the exploration of why Maryland is an ideal location for data centers, examination of state policies, geographic benefits, and strategies to overcome barriers to entry. This event provides a unique opportunity to gain insights, network with key stakeholders, and shape the future of data centers in Maryland and beyond.

EVENT DETAILS

Thursday, August 29, 2024

8:00AM - 4:30PM

Frederick Community College, JBK Theater

Cocktail Reception

5:00PM - 7:00PM

Rockwell Brewery, Riverside Location

PRICING

Members and Non-Members:

$125.00

(Includes the cocktail reception)

Secure Your Ticket for the Inaugural Maryland Data Center Summit

Maryland Data Center Summit Agenda

8:00 AM

Registration, Continental Breakfast, Networking - JBK Theater Lobby

9:00 AM

Welcome and Opening Remarks - JBK Theater

Kelly Schulz, Chief Executive Officer, Maryland Tech Council
Dr. Annesa Payne Cheek, President, Frederick Community College (invited)

9:30 AM

Keynote Panel: Doing Data Centers Better - JBK Theater

Over the last 20 years, the internet has grown exponentially. Data center developers have worked to keep pace with growing demands, as our world becomes increasingly digitized. This growth has presented various opportunities and challenges. As we look at the next 20 years of data center development, we look through a new lens we call Ecoscale. This ethos establishes a collaborative ecosystem with industry, government, and community to align on what it means to “Doing Data Centers Better” at scale.

Moderator: Kelly Schulz, Chief Executive Officer, Maryland Tech Council

Panelists:

Phill Lawson-Shanks, Chief Innovation Officer, Aligned Data Centers
John Lucas, Chief Executive Officer, Rowan Digital Infrastructure
Scott Noteboom, President and Co-Founder, Quantum Loophole
Santiago Suinaga, Chief Executive Officer, Infrastructure Masons

10:30 AM

Break

10:45 AM

Session 1: Why Maryland? - JBK Theater

The Quantum Frederick master-planned data center community in Frederick, Maryland, was a strategic move aimed at leveraging its proximity to the largest connectivity hub in Northern Virginia while mitigating the region's challenges with land and power constraints. Before the data center industry came to Maryland, county and state policies were put in place to welcome the new industry, both on the state level and Frederick County level. This panel will discuss the many other reasons why Maryland is being positioned as one of the key markets in the data center industry.

Moderator: Buddy Rizer, Executive Director, Department of Economic Development, Loudoun County, VA

Panelists:

Dan Golding, Chief Technology Officer, Appleby Strategy Group
Mark Guymon, Vice President of Business Development, Rowan Digital Infrastructure
Eric Luedtke, Chief Legislative Officer, Maryland Governor's Legislative Office
Drew Van Dopp, President and Chief Executive Officer, Maryland Broadband Cooperative

11:45 AM

Break for Lunch

12:00 PM

Lunchtime Fireside Chat - Athletic Center

During lunch, CEO of MTC, Kelly Schulz and SVP of Quantum Loophole, Rich Paul-Hus, will take a deep dive into a new ethos to data center development called Ecoscale. This new approach establishes how industrial developments at scale can offer mutual benefits for the community, nature, government, and the data center industry.

Kelly Schulz, Chief Executive Officer, Maryland Tech Council
Rich Paul-Hus, Co-Founder and Senior Vice President, Quantum Loophole

1:00 PM

Session 2: Workforce Development - JBK Theater

Maryland and the Data Center Industry are facing a similar challenge around workforce development. There is a talent gap, and we need the next generation workforce to help sustain a brighter future. Together, this ecosystem can find ways to bridge the talent gap and solve the growing workforce challenge for the industry and the state. This will include understanding what job opportunities the data center industry brings to Maryland, what training will be needed, tapping into a local workforce, and what it will look like working at Quantum Frederick.

Moderator: Steve Ryan, Partner, Pillsbury

Panelists:

Dr. Molly Carlson, Associate Vice President/Dean of Continuing Education and Workforce Development, Frederick Community College
Brian Hatmaker, President, STULZ USA
Daisy Saulls, Data Center Coalition Workforce Development Lead
Kyra Tyson, Community and Citizenship Manager, Turner Construction Company
Neil Wilford, Training Director, IBEW Local 24 Joint Apprenticeship & Training Committee Program

2:00 PM

Break

2:15 PM

Session 3: Power - JBK Theater

The ever-growing demand for data storage and processing power requires reliable and efficient energy infrastructure. This panel discussion will explore the critical link between modernizing Maryland's electricity generation and grid systems, and the continued success of the state's thriving data center industry.

Moderator: Jim McDonald, Director of Environmental Impact & Founder of ENP Consultants at Miratech Corp

Panelists:

Vincent Duane, Principal, Copper Monarch LLC
Mason Emnett, Senior Vice President Public Policy, Constellation
Senator Brian Feldman, Maryland General Assembly
Timothy Troxell, Senior Advisor, MD Government Affairs, Potomac Edison/First Energy

3:15 PM

Break

3:30 PM

Session 4: Embracing what is Important to Maryland - JBK Theater

You may have heard from the data center industry on their initiatives around corporate responsibility; now it’s time to hear from the leaders in Maryland. These panelists will explore the ways the industry can continue to embrace what is important to Frederick County and Maryland as a whole. This session will cover an array of topics such as sustainability goals, community engagement, and fostering an ecosystem of industry, government, community, and nature.

Moderator: Rick Weldon, President and Chief Executive Officer, Frederick County Chamber of Commerce

Panelists:

Lara Fritts, Executive Director of Economic and Workforce Development, Frederick County Government
Meghan Sweigart, Executive Director, techfrederick
David R. Tilley, Associate Professor, University of Maryland