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Power & Cooling 2026:
Executive Strategies for the AI-Driven Data Center

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March 10-11, 2026 | Chicago

Solving energy and cooling challenges at hyperscale in the AI era

The global race to deploy AI, cloud, and digital infrastructure has triggered an unprecedented surge in electricity demand. Data centers are pushing grids to their limits, straining power availability and driving the adoption of advanced cooling technologies to manage ultra-dense workloads. In markets like Chicago and Silicon Valley, the balance between growth, resilience, and sustainability is now a defining challenge for operators, utilities, and policymakers alike.

Power & Cooling 2026 -- March 10-11 in Chicago -- will bring together senior executives, engineers, investors, and regulators to explore the strategies, technologies, and financial models that will shape the next generation of mission-critical infrastructure. Over two focused days, this executive leadership conference will provide clarity on how to secure reliable power, deploy advanced cooling, and build sustainable growth strategies for data centers in the AI era.

> View Call for Speakers

Topics to be covered include:

  • Grid constraints, interconnections, and opportunities for data center growth

  • Next-generation power architectures: modular substations, microgrids, and hybrid systems

  • Financing power infrastructure and structuring long-term deals

  • Advanced cooling strategies for high-density AI workloads

  • Waste heat recovery and circular economy approaches

  • Water usage, sustainability, and community engagement

  • AI-driven optimization of energy and cooling operations

> View Preliminary Agenda

  • Renewable energy procurement and 24/7 carbon-free goals

  • Energy storage and demand-side management for resilience

  • Heatwaves, climate risk, and designing for extreme conditions

  • Edge facility powering and cooling strategies

  • Policy and regulatory outlooks shaping grid integration

  • Partnering with utilities for demand response and grid services

  • Emerging technologies: hydrogen, small modular reactors, and beyond

  • And more

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Who Should Attend?

This executive forum is designed for senior decision-makers shaping the future of digital infrastructure, including:

  • Data center executives and operations leaders

  • Energy, sustainability, and infrastructure directors/VPs

  • Utility and grid operator representatives

  • Investors, lenders, and project finance professionals

  • Cooling and power technology providers

  • Policymakers, regulators, and government energy officials

  • Engineering, design, and construction executives focused on mission-critical facilities

Why Attend?

  • Gain clarity on urgent challenges
    Understand how grid constraints, energy costs, and sustainability pressures are reshaping power and cooling strategies for data centers

  • Hear from leaders at the forefront
    Learn directly from executives across utilities, hyperscale operators, investors, and innovators driving change in mission-critical infrastructure

  • Explore actionable solutions
    Discover proven models for renewable procurement, energy storage, advanced cooling, and financing next-generation projects

  • Develop an Industry Roadmap
    Collaborate with executive colleagues to determine best strategies for dealing with the impact of data center growth on the grid

  • Build high-value connections
    Network with fellow executives facing the same challenges achieving time-to-power for critical data center projects

"Great diversity of companies and good speech topics. Nice variety"
Benjamin Spiro, Business Development, American Wire Group

Sample feedback on recent SGO Forums

"Excellent and informative"
 Jack McElligott, Emergency Fuel Management, Macro Logistics

"Great presentations and variety of topics covered - great mix of thought leaders"
Pat MGinnis, Chief Strategy Officer, Tweddle Group

"Outstanding – Exceeded my expectations!"
Russell Gentile, Senior eMobility Developer, ABM Industries

"Fantastic meeting of minds and knowledge-sharing.
Hosts were fantastic"
- Branden Zipplinger, Application Engineer, Sensience

"This has truly been an excellent experience in every way - well organized, well-rounded agenda, excellent speakers
and good exhibits."
Larisa Dobriansky, Chief Business & Policy Innovation Officer, General Microgrids

"Excellent venue to make new contacts doing interesting and innovative things in the industry."
Markus Virta, Cascadia Renewables

Contact Us

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Thanks for your interest in the Forum.

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