2026 Buildings + Data Centers Conference

Innovating Data Centers and the Infrastructure of AI

When

Sep 30, 2026 - Oct 1, 2026

Where

Nashville , TN

WHERE BUILDING TECH & DATA CENTERS COME TOGETHER

The annual Buildings Conference explores innovation and emerging technology in the development, design, materials, and systems of buildings, with a specific emphasis on data centers and AI infrastructure. The event examines the current state and trajectory of building planning and operational solutions, strategies, and processes, providing insights and guidance on implementation, use cases, opportunities, and challenges.

Topics of Interest:

  • Energy Generation & Power Requirements
  • Water Consumption & Cooling
  • Site Selection & Feasibility
  • Operations & Maintenance
  • Speed to Market
  • Project Execution & Delivery Models
  • Material Selection
  • Risk Allocation
  • Owner Portfolio Management
  • Community Engagement

Who Should Attend:

BuiltWorlds invites C-Suite Executives, SVPs, VPs, Directors, and Leaders from Owners, Operators, Developers, Contractors, MEP/Specialty Trades, Designers, Investors, Technology and Power / Energy Providers that oversee and have responsibilities for:

  • Innovation / Strategy / Design / Development
  • Venture Capital / Corporate Venture Capital & InvestmentĀ 
  • Hyperscale / Mission Critical / Advanced Manufacturing / Hitech
  • Power / Energy / Utilities / Cooling / Siting / Engineering
  • Prefabrication / Modularization / Offsite / Industrialized Construction

PRICING AND REGISTRATION

$3,000 $2,400

Non-members that reserve their seat before July 17, 2026 will receive a 20% discount.

1 MEMBER TICKET

Members can also find the registration form at the bottom of this page.

PRICING VARIES

Pricing is based on group size. Register your interest and a member of our team will reach out with information shortly.

Past speakers include...

James Coe

Senior Principal, Syska Hennessy Group

Alfonso Oliva

AECO Industry Developer Relations AI Lead, NVIDIA

Kushal Dagli

AI-Optimization Lead, Data Centers, Microsoft

Kelly Bacon

Principal, Vice President, Strategy & Growth, Buildings & Places, AECOM

Ryan Krogstad

Central Core Market Leader - Advanced Technology, DPR Construction

John Moynier

Senior Manager for Strategic Initiatives, Garney Construction

Robert Otani

Chief Technology Officer, Thornton Tomasetti

Matt Fillmore

V.P. Mission Critical Division Lead, Barge Design Solutions

Andrew Lindsey

CEO, Flexnode

Robert Ioanna

Chief Technical Officer, Syska Hennessy Group

Sami Syed

Senior Business Development Manager

Ameya Soparkar

Technology Business Leader, Arup

Jonson Berman

Vice President, Investment, Suffolk Technologies

Barak Gur-Arie

VP, Mission Critical, Buildots

Tom Scarangello

Managing Principal, Senior Advisor, Thornton Tomasetti

Rawle Sawh

Director of Operations Technology, Gilbane Building Company

2026 Agenda

Day 1 Schedule

Wednesday, September 30

Research Track Working Group Meeting(s)

Location and time TBA

Wednesday, September 30

AI/ML & Infrastructure Joint Working Group Meeting

Speakers and Topic TBA

Wednesday, September 30

Building Tech Working Group Meeting

Speakers and Topic TBA

Wednesday, September 30

Offsite Construction Working Group Meeting

Speakers and Topic TBA

Wednesday, September 30

BuiltWorlds Startup Demo Day Competition

See short demonstrations by startups building solutions directly impacting the mission critical space. Startups presenting will represent largely early stages (Pre-Seed through Series A).

Location and time TBA

Day 2 Schedule

8:00AM – 9:00AM | Thursday, October 1

Registration & Breakfast

9:00AM – 9:10AM | Thursday, October 1

Welcoming Address

9:10AM – 9:40AM | Thursday, October 1

Keynote Address

Presentation

9:40AM – 10:25AM | Thursday, October 1

Navigating Power Scarcity: Strategies for 2026

Panel Discussion

Power is no longer a commodity; it is the ultimate constraint. This panel brings together developers, GCs, and other key stakeholders to discuss the reality of "power-first" site selection. The group will dive into creative utility negotiations, the rise of energy storage systems (BESS) to manage peak loads, and how builders are adapting to 48-month lead times for primary substations.

10:25AM – 10:55AM | Thursday, October 1

Networking Break

10:55AM – 11:35AM | Thursday, October 1

Systems Thinking for Rapid Acceleration of AI Factory Delivery

Case Study Presentation

How productization of the built environment is leading to better integration between Owner, Designer, and Builder. Designers model and simulate requirements and behavior to generate optimized designs, while Builders model and simulate production systems to provide vital constructability feedback to designers, and optimize production and the supply chain to deliver AI Factories months sooner.

11:35AM – 12:15PM | Thursday, October 1

The Nuclear Option: SMRs, Microgrids, and the Quest for Energy Independence

Panel Discussion

With the grid at capacity, the industry is looking "behind the meter." This session explores the transition from theoretical to practical application of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) and hydrogen fuel cells. Panelists will debate the timeline for nuclear integration, the safety protocols required for on-site generation, and the role of microgrids in achieving true energy autonomy.

12:15PM – 1:15PM | Thursday, October 1

Lunch & Demo Day Winner Announcement

1:15PM – 1:55PM | Thursday, October 1

Orchestrating the Optimal Tech Stack in a Digital World

Panel Discussion

The wall between "IT" and "Facilities" has collapsed. This panel explores how hardware requirements are now dictating building envelopes. We will discuss the use of Digital Twins to optimize airflow and power distribution before a single shovel hits the ground, and how GCs are managing the increasingly complex MEP (Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing) coordination required for liquid-to-chip cooling.

1:55PM – 2:35PM | Thursday, October 1

Supply Chain Resilience: From Lead Times to Prefabrication

Panel Discussion

In an era of "just-in-case" rather than "just-in-time" procurement, how are builders staying on schedule? This session highlights the shift toward industrialized construction, where speakers will share insights on vertical integration, the use of off-site prefabricated/modular units to bypass local labor shortages, and how to manage the risk of Tier 2 and Tier 3 supplier failures.

2:35PM – 2:50PM | Thursday, October 1

BuiltWorlds Research Presentation

Presentation

2:50PM – 3:20PM | Thursday, October 1

Networking Break

3:20PM – 4:00PM | Thursday, October 1

Where Are All the Data Centers Going to Go?

Panel Discussion

As Tier 1 markets reach saturation and grid availability tightens, the "Great Migration" to secondary and tertiary markets is no longer optional; it’s a necessity. This session addresses the rising complexities of land use, from tightening water consumption policies to the legislative pushback seen in emerging regions. Panelists will discuss how developers and GCs are navigating local moratoriums, implementing waterless cooling to satisfy environmental mandates, and mastering the art of community engagement to secure a "social license" in skeptical jurisdictions.

4:00PM – 4:40PM | Thursday, October 1

High-Tech Meets Old-School: Materials, Operations & Portfolios

Panel Discussion

This closing panel examines the shift toward low-carbon materials—such as mass timber and green concrete—and how they impact project insurance and structural feasibility. Beyond the build, we will explore how owners are managing the risk allocation of massive portfolios, balancing the need to retrofit aging legacy assets while maintaining the 99.99% uptime required for today’s high-density operations.

4:40PM – 5:00PM | Thursday, October 1

Fireside Discussion / Closing Presentation

Presentation

5:00PM – 6:30PM | Thursday, October 1

Closing Remarks & Reception

Member Registration

Please use the form below to register yourself and your colleagues. The contact information section will be auto-populated based on your login information. Click “Add Ticket” to register either yourself and colleagues for the event. When you have entered the information for all tickets, please click “Submit Order” to complete the registration. You will receive a confirmation email with a ticket number.Ā 

If you experience issues, please reach out to info@builtworlds.com for assistance.Ā 

Thank you!Ā 

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