EDITOR ’ S QUESTION
JONATHAN LEPPARD , COO , FUTURE FACILITIES
n-person collaboration and networking is
I unquestionably a valuable means for data centre leaders to gain intelligence on commonplace technological and human problems , discuss approaches and share suggestions on good practice across different types and sizes of company . While these conversations are possible to have remotely , they come more easily in an informal , relaxed , faceto-face setting .
What ’ s more , events such as exhibitions allow data centre leaders to explore and experience new and existing
WHILE THESE CONVERSATIONS ARE POSSIBLE TO HAVE REMOTELY , THEY COME MORE EASILY IN AN INFORMAL , RELAXED , FACE- TO-FACE SETTING . technologies first-hand , helping to make their jobs easier . Of course , information on the same solutions could also be found online and demos individually organised outside of an event .
However , setting aside time and headspace to conduct the necessary online searches and explore new technologies and approaches is more difficult in a busy working environment .
By contrast , when a couple of consecutive days are allotted to attend an event , diaries are cleared and time can be given over to deep thinking and exploring without day-to-day workplace activity acting as a disruption .
That being said , many professionals have enjoyed key conference sessions being available online and on-demand over the course of the pandemic .
This has meant they can learn at any point , without the need to travel , which incurs extra time and cost implications to the business , not to mention the environment .
Although the convenience of the online experience is compelling , it ’ s questionable whether it ’ s really equal in value to in-person events . As such , organisers need to carefully consider how the two factors can be balanced .
EVENTS SUCH AS EXHIBITIONS ALLOW DATA CENTRE LEADERS TO EXPLORE AND EXPERIENCE NEW AND EXISTING TECHNOLOGIES FIRST-HAND , HELPING TO MAKE THEIR JOBS EASIER .
Post-pandemic , professionals are likely to go to fewer , high-quality physical events . To attract data centre leaders to these , compelling conference goals and content – including interesting speakers and panel discussions – must be offered . For example , events that have the potential to positively impact industry progress towards important milestones – by addressing key issues , such as data centre energy efficiency – will be more appealing .
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