The Data Center World 2021 Call for Proposals has been extended one week!! The new deadline is midnight ET (EOD) on Feb. 8, 2021.

We know travel is still uncertain but we encourage you to still submit your proposal as we will have a digital plan in place if you cannot join us in Orlando.

If you are interested in submitting a proposal to speak at Data Center World 2021, there are three critically important criteria this year that will be strictly enforced:

• We will ONLY accept vendor-neutral proposals; no sales pitches, even thinly veiled, will make it to the evaluation process
• End user presentations, or presentations that include a customer case study (ideally with the customer included as a speaker), will be given top priority during the evaluation process
• We are looking to make DCW 2021 a more diverse and inclusive program, including the conference sessions

There will be five conference tracks at Data Center World 2021, and session proposals will be aligned with one of these tracks.

Design, Build, Operate, Control
Data Center Infrastructure and Platforms
Mission Critical Facilities and Energy Management
Advanced Data Center Strategies
Data Center Essentials

Click here for details on each track


The ideal Data Center World speaker:

• Can engage an audience with purely educational, insightful, and focused content.
• Knows that the strongest sessions are driven by real-life stories and insights. Case studies, examples of successes and failures, and provocative topics that promote dialogue are the most well-attended and highest-rated sessions.
• Understands that session learning objectives must reflect actions and abilities attendees can implement in their work.
• Is comfortable speaking in front of large groups ranging from 30 to 1,000 people.
• Is willing to partner with Data Center World to deliver the best possible experience for the audience.
• Plans to attend the whole event and engage with attendees.
• Is open to helping spread the word about the event.
• Believes that a diverse speaker lineup delivers the most value to attendees.

Speaker Benefits

• Recognition as a leader in the industry
• Marketing and branding
• Speaker training
• Free conference registration
• Hotel discounts
• Exceptional networking opportunities

How speakers are chosen:
A carefully selected Content Advisory Team, made up of industry expert volunteers, evaluates the proposals on the following criteria:

• Subject matter relevance and timeliness
• Clearly stated learning objectives
• Urgency and differentiation of topic (we get many similar submissions)
• Practical application of material and context of issues (inclusion of case studies, examples, stories)
• Educational, vendor-neutral, no sales-pitch content
• Potential for audience participation
• Speaker presentation skills and experience
• Speaker industry knowledge, experience, leadership, and recognition

Please be advised that we receive a large number of applications, and we cannot accommodate all requests. For the same reason, while we appreciate the work that goes into every submission, if a submission is not chosen, we simply don't have the resources to provide the explanation since there are so many factors that go into the decisions.


Tips for session proposals

• Title - Make it attention grabbing, eye-catching, and provocative
• Abstract - Be descriptive but concise and include key takeaways and learning objectives. Let the audience know “what’s in it for them.” Make your case for why your topic is different, urgent, and important to the industry (we get a lot of similar submissions). Abstracts should be no more than 100 words in length (around 4-5 sentences).

The Fine Print

• All content must be vendor-neutral. For vendors and solution providers looking for a speaking platform for promotional purposes, we offer paid opportunities in a track titled Product Information Tech Talks. If interested, please contact our sales manager, Michael Leahy, for more information.
• Please be advised that we receive a large number of applications, and we cannot accommodate all requests. For the same reason, while we appreciate the work that goes into every submission, if a submission is not chosen, we don't have the resources to provide the explanation.

Before you hit the SUBMIT PROPSAL button at the bottom of the page (and make sure you do hit the Submit Proposal button or we won't get your proposal), please be sure:

• You (and any proposed co-speakers or panelists) are available to speak any time during August 16-19, 2021. Specific date/time requests cannot be accommodated. All date and time slots are selected by the DCW team and cannot be changed due to the complexity of the schedule.
• You have permission and funding from your organization to travel and attend this event. Travel and hotel fees are at the expense of the speaker.
• You have enough content to cover the full time slot.
• You agree to the distribution of slides, other materials, and the recording of your session to attendees
• You agree to have your session recorded (audio and slides only).
  You agree to use the required PowerPoint slide template and submit your final slides 4 weeks prior to the event for review, approval, and final upload.

Questions on session or industry topics? Contact Brian Gillooly- [email protected], Content Director
Questions on speaker management, deadlines, materials, bios, photos, etc.? Contact Lauriel Wright- [email protected], Speaker Management