Austin set a fresh stage for Datacloud USA 2025 – a new venue with the same high-impact connections. Co-located with MetroConnect Fall and Datacloud Energy USA, the event hit the sweet spot: busy enough to explore what’s next, yet focused enough for meaningful conversations that went beyond surface-level networking. JSA was in the thick of it, broadcasting JSA TV Live from the expo floor, sitting in on sessions, and swapping insights on the critical topics shaping the digital infrastructure industry today – from AI-era capacity and power to sustainability and talent. The result was an event that balanced discovery with depth, reminding us why Datacloud remains a key meeting ground for this community.
A Different Layout That Prioritized Connection
The reconfigured expo made it easy to chart a course between meetings, sessions, and chance encounters. While traffic patterns naturally shifted with the new layout, the sense of community remained intact and even stronger in some ways. The new flow encouraged attendees to linger longer in conversation clusters and gave exhibitors fresh ways to connect with passersby. The mindset we love about this industry was on full display: there’s room for everyone to win, and people are generous with ideas, intros, and practical advice. That spirit of collaboration set the tone for the entire event and made the new setup feel less like a challenge and more like an opportunity.
iMasons Women’s Breakfast + Women in Tech
A standout moment was the iMasons Women’s Breakfast and Women in Tech session, where important conversations took center stage. We heard from leaders including Rhea Williams, co-founder and CCO of E3, and Mercy Manning, Chief Innovation Officer at Aligned Data Centers. Their insights struck the right balance between vision and action. Mercy’s guidance on career pathways and where AI-scale, high-density data centers are heading was refreshingly pragmatic – anchored in what’s deployable now and what’s realistic next. Rhea highlighted the importance of creating environments where women not only enter but thrive in technical roles, emphasizing mentorship and visibility. Together, the session underscored how inclusion and innovation go hand in hand in driving the industry forward.
The Next Generation Is Here – and Speaking Up
John Tomlinson, DCIS®, Market Lead at Broaddus & Associates, stood out as one of the up-and-coming leaders to watch. In his JSA TV interview (watch it here!), he shared how he’s accelerated his knowledge of the data center industry, offered career advice for those looking to grow in this space, and reflected on how Broaddus & Associates’ 25 years of mission-critical project experience has shaped his perspective on building infrastructure for the future. His perspective blended fresh ambition with the depth of an established company, underscoring how rising leaders are already leaving their mark.
Another bright spot was the number of early-career professionals JSA had the opportunity to interview on-site as part of the Talent in Tech initiative led by Susanna Kass. These up-and-coming leaders – Luke Adams of DPGlobal Assets, Vincent Chan of Stulz ATS, and Emmanuel Ikpesu, PhD student and Research Assistant at the University of Texas at Austin – brought thoughtful, solutions-oriented perspectives to the conversation. Their dialogue reflected not only technical knowledge but also a strong sense of accountability for the industry’s role in sustainability and workforce development. The Talent in Tech program continues to open doors and accelerate skill-building for newcomers – a meaningful lift for the data center workforce pipeline.
JSA TV Live: Conversations From the Expo Floor
From power procurement and grid constraints to cooling, AI readiness, and sustainable build-outs, our on-site interviews captured the topics leaders are solving right now. The conversations reflected the urgency and complexity of scaling infrastructure in an era defined by both opportunity and responsibility. Missed the live stream? Catch every segment on our YouTube channel, JSA Tech & Telecom News, where you’ll find insights straight from the people making decisions that impact the future of digital infrastructure. The full playlist is a snapshot of the industry’s pulse, recorded in real time from Austin.
Texas Momentum
Texas continues to draw outsized attention with its growing ecosystem across Austin, San Antonio, Houston, and DFW. The conversations in Austin reflected that momentum: strong local presence, active project pipelines, and a pragmatic focus on near-term capacity, energy strategy, and responsible growth. From utilities and developers to operators and investors, the Texas story continues to be one of fast growth tempered by practical planning. Attendees consistently pointed to the state’s unique combination of available land, energy innovation, and business-friendly policies as factors fueling demand. With so much activity, Texas is clearly not just a regional hub but a market influencing the national conversation.
Final Thoughts
Datacloud USA delivered focused conversations, leadership insights, and a clear sense of where the next 12 months are headed. It was an event that managed to combine intimacy with impact, offering both strategic perspective and practical takeaways. For those of us at JSA, the highlights reinforced the power of bringing industry leaders together in the right setting to move the conversation forward. Don’t miss next year’s Datacloud USA 2026 – returning to Austin September 2 – 3, 2026.
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