Yesterday, I was down in Dallas at the DatacenterDynamics Conference. The themes were design, build, and operation; outsourcing decisions; and IT optimization with speakers from the Dallas and DFW metro area sharing their experiences and solutions pertinent to the data center industry in this region. Exhibitors, such as Platinum Sponsor Schneider Electric, were on hand as well, showcasing their products.

The result? A well-run conference. Although my schedule was jam-packed, I was able to attend several sessions, including “Cisco’s Data Center Strategy,” with Tony Fazackarley from Cisco, who took us on a virtual tour of Cisco Texas Center 2 in Allen, TX; “Best Practices That Addresses High Profile Pain Points and Challenges in Today’s Data Center,” with Chris Pettey from NextIO, who spoke not only about the complexities of the modern data center but also about solutions to these challenges; “Demand Response Now: Current Initiatives and Best Practices to Operate Your Data Center While Saving Money and Energy,” with Michael Cozzi of Cirro Energy Services and Steve Miller, with Experian Information Solutions, who shared Experian’s experience with demand response programs.

This conference was part of the DatacenterDynamics Global Conference and Expo Series. By the end of 2011, more than 46 conferences will be held across the world. It was not only informative, it was fun. Visit the website at http://www.datacenterdynamics.com/ for a conference near you.