Public Policy Forum
Data Center World Public Policy Forum In partnership with ITI
When: Thursday, April 23, 2026 | 10:00 am - 3:00 pm
Location: 103 A/B
Pass Type: All Access, Standard Industry Conference, or AFCOM Solution Provider
Presented in partnership with ITI, the leading global technology advocate, this one-day forum on April 23 will convene policymakers, data center executives and community leaders to address the critical policy decisions shaping the industry’s future. Leveraging its Washington, D.C. location, the forum will examine federal priorities for digital infrastructure under the Trump Administration’s AI Action Plan, as well as national standards for energy access and permitting for new developments. The program will also explore how the industry is working with communities to address challenges and highlight the data center ecosystem’s role in driving employment and technical innovation.
Agenda – Session Topics Include:
- Introduction: Data Centers Take Center Stage
- Federal Priorities for Digital Infrastructure
- The Data Center Policy Landscape
- Innovation Ecosystem: The Policies and Technologies to Sustain U.S. Leadership
- Powering the AI Economy: Energy Policy at a Crossroads
- Insider View: The Reality of Building and Running Data Centers
- Permitting Reform for Next-Generation Infrastructure
- Not in My Backyard: Addressing Communities’ Growing Data Center Concerns
- Data Centers and Jobs: Understanding the True Impact of the Data Center Ecosystem on American Employment and Growth
Check back often for speaker announcements.
Public Policy Forum: Arctic Advantage: Alaska’s Emerging Role in the Future of Digital Infrastructure
A Fireside Conversation with Governor Mike Dunleavy
Public Policy Forum Featured Keynote
When: Thursday, April 23, 2026 | 10:30 am - 1:30 pm
Location: Ballrooms A & B, 3rd Level
As demand for AI, cloud, and digital services accelerates, the search for scalable, sustainable, and resilient infrastructure has taken center stage. In this keynote conversation, Governor Mike Dunleavy joins Bill Kleyman to explore why Alaska is emerging as a compelling frontier for next-generation data center development.
From natural cooling and abundant energy resources to strategic geographic positioning and economic incentives, Alaska offers a unique combination of advantages that extend beyond traditional site selection criteria. This session will unpack how the state is positioning itself to support the future of digital infrastructure—from hyperscale deployments to AI-ready facilities.
Key takeaways:
- Natural cooling and climate-driven efficiency gains
- Access to diverse energy resources, including natural gas, hydro, geothermal, and emerging tidal technologies
- Strategic resilience and geographic advantages
- Economic development opportunities and incentives for operators and investors
Mike Dunleavy
Governor, State of Alaska
Governor Mike Dunleavy arrived in Alaska in 1983 as a young man looking for opportunity, and he found it. His first job was working in a logging camp in Southeast Alaska. Later on, Governor Dunleavy pursued his dream of becoming a teacher. He earned his teacher's certificate, and then a Master of Education degree from the University of Alaska Fairbanks. He spent nearly two decades in northwest Arctic communities working as a teacher, principal, and superintendent.
Governor Dunleavy and his family moved to Wasilla in 2004, where he owned an educational consulting firm and worked on several statewide education projects. Dunleavy served on the Mat-Su Borough School Board, with two years as Board President, and then as a state senator for five years.
Dunleavy was first elected Governor in 2018 and then again in 2022, making him the first Republican Governor in Alaska to win re-election since 1978. Governor Dunleavy has kept the health of the economy and jobs at the forefront of his Administration’s policy setting initiatives and has been a true champion for the Alaskan business community.
Governor Dunleavy’s wife Rose is from the Kobuk River Valley community of Noorvik. Together, they have three children – Maggie, Catherine, and Ceil – who were raised in both rural and urban Alaska. The Dunleavy’s enjoy spending time together as a family, often in Alaska’s great outdoors. Hunting, fishing, snowmachining, and camping are all favorite activities.
Governor Dunleavy is focused on moving Alaska forward and believes that our greatest years are yet to come if we work together to maximize our potential.
Who Should Attend:
- Government and Policymakers: Local, regional, and national government officials as well as representatives from regulatory bodies, energy commissions, and environmental agencies
- Data Center Operators and Owners: Leaders from hyperscale, colocation, and enterprise data centers
- Technology Providers and Vendors: Companies offering hardware, software, and energy solutions for data centers as well as cloud service providers and IT infrastructure companies
- Investors and Financial Institutions: Investors and analysts focused on data center development
- Energy Experts: Grid operators and energy consultants
- Academics and Researchers: Experts in data center innovation and energy efficiency
Interested in Sponsoring the Public Policy Forum?
Contact our sales team to learn how you can sponsor this exclusive forum and stand out as a key influencer in addressing challenges and highlighting the data center ecosystem’s role in driving employment and technical innovation.
Position your brand as the go-to partner for strategic stakeholders
Standout as a sponsor in a private, focused environment with 200+ senior professionals eager to learn and engage with industry experts
Showcase your expertise and innovation, demonstrating knowledge of critical policy decisions shaping the industry’s future
Demonstrate your commitment to policymakers, data center executives, and community leaders