The purpose of this assessment is to evaluate whether structural changes made to the Arizona Data Center Alliance event at EMCC improved engagement between students, community members, and industry professionals. Based on feedback and observations from the previous year’s event, adjustments were made to the format to increase audience participation and networking opportunities. This assessment examines whether these changes enhanced attendee experience, strengthened industry engagement, and improved awareness of career pathways within the data center industry.
The data center industry continues to expand in Arizona, yet many students and community members remain unfamiliar with the range of career opportunities available in the field. Data Center Day was designed to increase awareness of both the IT and technician pathways while connecting attendees directly with industry professionals.
Following the Spring 2025 event, survey feedback and observational data indicated that the event format limited interaction between students and industry representatives. With three panel discussions scheduled, much of the event consisted of presentations with limited opportunities for audience participation or networking. Additionally, attendees had only 30 minutes to visit industry tables, which constrained meaningful engagement.
To better support career exploration and workforce pipeline development, changes were needed to increase interaction between participants and industry professionals. Evaluating the impact of these adjustments helps determine whether the event structure more effectively supports student awareness, networking, and employment opportunities in the data center sector.
Based on feedback and observations from the previous event, several intentional changes were implemented for the Spring 2026 event.
First, the number of panel discussions was reduced from three to two in order to create a more focused and interactive experience. The two panels highlighted distinct career pathways within the data center industry:
• IT Pathway Panel – Industry professionals from Microsoft, including former Microsoft Scholars who transitioned from internships to full-time employment, shared insights about careers on the IT side of data center operations.
• Technician Pathway Panel – Professionals connected to the technician side of the industry discussed career pathways aligned with EMCC’s Automated Industrial Technology (AIT) program.
Each panel included dedicated time for audience questions to encourage more dialogue between attendees and panelists.
Second, networking time with industry partners was significantly expanded. In previous years, attendees had approximately 30 minutes to interact with industry representatives at information tables. For the 2026 event, networking time was increased to 60 minutes, followed by lunch to allow continued conversations between students and employers.
Industry participation also expanded. Fourteen industry tables were reserved for the event, and additional organizations had to be turned away due to space limitations. Attendance exceeded room capacity, with registration eventually closed once the venue reached its maximum seating of 152. Despite this cap, approximately 200 attendees were present, resulting in standing-room attendance.
Spring 2025 Event
The 2025 event featured three panels and approximately 30 minutes of networking time. Attendance was approximately 125 participants. While the event was well received, feedback and observations suggested that the panel-heavy format limited interaction between attendees and industry partners.
Spring 2026 Event
The revised format resulted in increased participation and engagement. Attendance grew significantly, reaching approximately 200 participants and exceeding the room’s seating capacity. The event also expanded industry participation, with 14 organizations hosting tables and additional partners requesting space.
Survey feedback indicated a high level of satisfaction with the event. Among survey respondents, the majority reported being very satisfied or satisfied with the overall experience.
Participants consistently highlighted networking opportunities and direct engagement with industry professionals as the most valuable aspects of the event. Many respondents noted that meeting industry representatives, learning about daily work in data centers, and gaining insight into career pathways were particularly beneficial.
Industry and community attendees also expressed interest in attending future events, indicating strong continued demand for this type of engagement opportunity.
The expanded networking period proved especially impactful. Students were able to have extended conversations with employers, and one student secured employment during the event itself (wooohooo!). This outcome highlights the event’s growing role as a direct bridge between education and workforce opportunities.
Overall, the revised structure — fewer panels and expanded networking time — significantly increased engagement, industry participation, and attendance compared to the previous year.
This assessment evaluates changes implemented for the Spring 2026 Arizona Data Center Alliance event at EMCC. Based on feedback from the previous year, the event format was redesigned to reduce the number of panel discussions and expand networking opportunities between students and industry professionals. The updated structure featured two focused panels representing IT and technician career pathways and significantly increased networking time with industry partners. Attendance grew to approximately 200 participants, exceeding room capacity, and 14 industry organizations hosted networking tables. Survey feedback indicated high satisfaction and strong interest in future events, with participants identifying networking and career pathway insights as the most valuable components. The event also resulted in a student securing employment during the networking session, demonstrating the event’s growing role in connecting students with industry opportunities.
Note: Laura Porritt is a contributor to this CATS.