8:00 AM

Registration and Exhibit Hall Open – Continental Breakfast in Exhibit Hall

9:00 AM – 9:15 AM

Welcome and Opening Remarks

• Kelly Schulz, Chief Executive Officer, Maryland Tech Council
• Martin Romo, Sr., Director, Economic Development and External Affairs, Rowan Digital Infrastructure (Emcee)

9:15 AM – 10:00 AM

Regulatory Roadmap:  Partnering for Maryland’s Data Center Future

Industry experts and policymakers will delve into critical topics shaping Maryland’s data center landscape. Discover how to navigate local and state policies effectively.  Explore ways to engage policymakers for sustainable growth while enhancing competitiveness in the market. Panelists will also discuss local issues, including updates from recent data center studies, and highlight ongoing legislative debates around energy consumption and related issues impacting the industry in Maryland.

Moderator:  Sebastian Kurian, Chief Legal Officer, Rowan Digital Infrastructure

Panelists:

• Khara Boender, Senior Manager, State Policy, Data Center Coalition 
• Thomas Natelli, President and Chief Executive Officer, Natelli Communities
• Kelly Schulz, Chief Executive Officer, Maryland Tech Council

10:05 AM – 10:50 AM

Powering AI – Energy Solutions for the Next Generation of Data Centers

As AI-driven data centers push energy demand to new heights, how can the industry ensure both scalability, efficiency, and regional energy stability? This session will explore innovative approaches to meeting these demands, from stranded and orphan power solutions to regional transmission challenges and opportunities. Experts will discuss collaboration with utilities and regulators, the complexities of retrofitting existing facilities, and the role of local energy generation, including gas turbines, modular solutions, and SMRs, in bridging power gaps.

Moderator:  Charley Daitch, CEO, Rowan Digital Infrastructure

Panelists:

• Brian Gitt, Senior Vice President, Head of Business Development, Oklo
• Jim McDonald, Founder/Director ENP Consultants, A Miratech Group, MIRATECH Corporation
• Zach Zawillo, Vice President, Distributed Power Solutions 

10:50 AM – 11:05 AM

Networking Break

11:05 AM – 11:50 AM

The Future of Cooling – Liquid, Air, and Sustainability in Data Centers 

Cooling is a critical challenge for data centers, especially as computing demands intensify. This session will examine the latest advancements in cooling technologies, comparing traditional air-cooled solutions to liquid cooling solutions. Experts will explore how different cooling systems manage heat rejection, address community concerns about water consumption, and assess the future of sustainable cooling. The session will also highlight opportunities for heat reuse and how evolving technologies are meeting shifting industry demands, including the challenges posed by AI inference workloads.

Moderator:  Sidney L. Fowler, Counsel, Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP 

Panelists:

• Dave Meadows, Director of Technology, STULTZ USA
• Phill Lawson-Shanks, Chief Information Officer, Aligned Data Centers
• Erica Thomas, Executive Director, Liquid Cooling Association

12:00 PM – 1:30 PM

Networking Lunch

1:30 PM – 2:15 PM

Bridging the Workforce Gap: Building Maryland’s Data Center Workforce Pipeline

As the data center industry expands, so does the need for a highly skilled and future-ready workforce. This session will explore the critical role of manufacturing, craft builders, construction workers, electricians and other trades  in building these facilities and the specialized training and certifications needed to develop subject matter experts in data center construction. Panelists will highlight workforce development programs, partnerships with local educational institutions, and community college training initiatives.  The discussion will also address recruitment efforts and tackle misconceptions about earning potential and trade careers, emphasizing job flexibility and the opportunities these roles create in opening doors to new career paths.

Moderator:  Brandon Butler, Owner Pinnacle Strategies Consulting

Panelists:

• Dana Blackwood, Business Manager, Turner Construction Company
• Jason Friedman, Senior Council Representative, Eastern Atlantic Sales Regional Council of Carpenters
• Chris MacLarion, Director, Maryland Apprenticeship and Training Program, Division of Workforce Development and Adult Learning, Maryland Department of Labor
• Mike McHale, Business Manager, IBEW Local 24

2:20 PM – 3:05 PM

Redefining What a Data Center Looks Like 

This session will explore how modern data centers can move beyond traditional large-scale hubs to become more flexible, community-integrated assets. This session will highlight emerging models.  Learn how technology is meeting shifting demands and what this means for the next generation of data infrastructure.

3:05 PM – 3:20 PM

Networking Break

3:20 PM – 4:05 PM

Debunking Data Center Myths – Sound, Sustainability, and Community Impact 

Public perception of data centers is often shaped by misconceptions, particularly around noise, environmental effects, and community impact. This session will tackle common concerns and separate fact from fiction. Industry experts will address myths surrounding noise and vibration, sustainability, and the construction process itself. The discussion will explore how data centers can be built and operated with environmental responsibility and community collaboration in mind, highlighting efforts to minimize disruption and maximize efficiency. The discussion will also cover the importance of transparency in operations, and the role data centers play in supporting regional economic growth.

Moderator:  Kraig Walsleben, Team Leader, Principal, Rodgers Consulting, Inc.

Panelists:

• Jim Lears, Vice President and General Manager, Critical Facilities, Turner Construction Company
• Jeff Szymanski, PE, INCE Bd Cert, BSE, MEng, Senior Managing Consultant, Ramboll

4:10 PM – 4:55 PM

The Economic Engine – How Data Centers Drive Fiscal Growth and Community Benefits

Data centers transcend their role as mere technology centers; they serve as vital economic catalysts fostering community growth and benefits. This session will explore their lasting impact, from generating tax revenue that supports schools and infrastructure to creating jobs and fostering local business growth. Beyond financial contributions, data centers play an active role in community life, supporting initiatives, partnerships, and programs that enhance long-term prosperity. Counties and stakeholders will gain insights into how these investments translate into sustainable economic and community benefits for years to come.

Moderator:   Matthew D. Doyle, Sr. Business Development Rep., Maryland Department of Commerce

Panelists:

• Alex Gottschalk, County Administrator, Mecklenburg, Virginia 
• Earl “Buddy” Hance, Calvert County Economic Development Director
• Kelly Schulz, Chief Executive Officer, Maryland Tech Council
• Meghan Sweigert, Executive Director, techfrederick 

5:00PM – 6:00PM

Networking Cocktail Reception