Energy & Data Center Innovation Summit

Data center demand is accelerating faster than traditional construction methods can keep pace with. This session brings together leaders from the construction, equipment, and technology sectors to explore how robotics, automation, and other emerging innovations are transforming how data centers get built, from site preparation to commissioning. Panelists will share real-world examples of how these tools are improving speed, safety, and efficiency on the job site.

Speakers: Tony Leopold, SVP and CTO, United Rentals; Jeff Miller, CIO, Clayco; Chris Teddy, SVP & Director of Mission Critical, JE Dunn Construction; Moderated by Usman Wajid, Founder & CEO, Block & Mortar

As data center demand accelerates, so does the need for skilled technicians to keep them running. This session brings together Google and Per Scholas for a candid conversation about how they built a partnership to recruit, train, and place data center technicians, regardless of degree or prior experience. Hear how the program started, what’s been learned along the way, and where they see the workforce pipeline heading next.

Speakers: Kyle Smith, Global Server Operations Manager, Google; Cedric Deadmon, Managing Director, Per Scholas

As data center construction grows in scale and complexity, effective communication is essential to keeping jobsites safe, productive, and coordinated. This session explores how AI-powered smart radio communication is transforming frontline collaboration by connecting workers, streamlining information sharing, and turning everyday conversations into actionable operational intelligence. Discover how connected-worker technologies are helping construction teams improve safety, enhance productivity, and build smarter jobsites.

Speakers: Kevin Turpin, Chief Executive Officer, Weavix; Ben Burrus, Chief Product Officer, Weavix

As power densities continue to rise, innovative approaches to heat rejection are becoming increasingly important to facility performance and long-term efficiency. This session will explore emerging cooling technologies and the trade-offs that come with different approaches, including performance, operational risk, efficiency, and sustainability. Attendees will gain practical guidance for evaluating, selecting, and optimizing cooling solutions for the data centers of tomorrow.

What goes into building a data center, and how do these facilities operate? This Ask the Experts-style technical discussion will provide a practical introduction to data center infrastructure, covering architecture, engineering, and construction; energy consumption; water use; environmental considerations; and the different types of data centers. Experts will break down the fundamentals and answer questions to help attendees better understand the infrastructure powering the digital economy.

Speakers: Justin Murray, President, Bell/Knott & Associates; Gabriel Weger, Section Manager – Acoustics, Burns & McDonnell; Rebecca Gannon, Public Affairs Specialist, Nebius; Jenn Cahill, AVP – Campus Infrastructure Integration, Black & Veatch

Data center development raises important questions for communities, from economic opportunity and tax incentives to land use and environmental considerations. This Ask the Experts-style discussion will explore the issues shaping community conversations around data centers, including incentive frameworks, property values, siting and permitting, environmental impacts, and more. Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions and gain insights into the considerations that influence responsible development.

Speakers: Alan Claus Anderson, Chair – Energy Law Practice Group, Polsinelli; Mike Dellinger, Executive Director, Morgan County (IN) EDC; Steve Etcher, Partner, Springline Advisory; Dr. Chris Ollson, Environmental Health Specialist, Ollson Environmental Health Management

As data center development accelerates into new markets, how a company shows up in a community often matters as much as what it builds. This session explores the communication strategies that help developers, utilities, and public officials build trust from the first announcement, covering early community engagement, proactive transparency around project scope and impact, and how to navigate public concerns before they become public opposition.

Speaker: Jessica Palm, Founder and CEO, Storia Strategies

As large energy users like data centers look to locate in our region, regulators are working to balance economic growth with affordability and reliability for existing customers. This conversation explores how large loads are evaluated and what it takes to ensure communities share in the benefits.

Speakers: Andrew French, Chairperson, Kansas Corporation Commission; Andrew Schulte, Shareholder – Energy, Polsinelli

As demand for reliable, scalable energy continues to grow, innovative nuclear technologies are emerging as a potential part of the future digital infrastructure landscape. This session will explore Deep Fission’s development of its first advanced underground nuclear reactor pilot project in Parsons, Kansas, and the potential implications for energy innovation, local economic development, and the communities positioned to participate in the next generation of energy infrastructure.

As data center demand grows, understanding how large loads and new energy resources connect to the grid is increasingly critical. This session will provide a high-level look at the interconnection process, including key differences between connecting data centers and generation resources such as solar, storage, and natural gas.

The discussion will explore front-of-the-meter and behind-the-meter strategies, how to evaluate generation options for a data center site, and the considerations that go into developing an effective energy strategy. With interconnection rules varying across the country, the session will focus on the Southwest Power Pool (SPP) and the Kansas City region.

Speaker: Scott Zeimetz, Chief Development Officer, Savion Energy

As large energy users like data centers look to locate in our region, regulators are working to balance economic growth with affordability and reliability for existing customers. This conversation explores how large loads are evaluated and what it takes to ensure communities share in the benefits.

Speakers: Andrew French, Chairperson, Kansas Corporation Commission; Andrew Schulte, Shareholder – Energy, Polsinelli