I.CON Data Centers (NAIOP)

About this event

I.CON Data Centers represents NAIOP's strategic entry into the hyperscale data center development space, targeting the intersection of industrial real estate expertise and digital infrastructure demand. This single-day conference focuses specifically on the commercial real estate development aspects of data centers rather than IT operations, making it distinct from traditional data center conferences that lean heavily technical. The agenda structure - covering user demand, development playbooks, power infrastructure, capital markets, and local market dynamics - directly addresses the pain points that industrial developers face when pivoting into this asset class. The attendee profile skews heavily toward established industrial developers looking to diversify into data centers, institutional investors exploring digital infrastructure allocations, and engineering firms positioning for hyperscale projects. Unlike pure-play data center conferences dominated by colocation providers and enterprise IT buyers, this event attracts the money and development expertise that actually gets projects built. Expect to see principals from major industrial development firms, pension fund infrastructure teams, and the specialized brokers who handle land assembly for these massive projects. From a business development perspective, this conference offers unique access to decision-makers who control significant capital but may lack deep data center market knowledge. The deal flow here tends toward larger transactions - hyperscale campuses, build-to-suit developments for major cloud providers, and institutional joint ventures rather than small colocation expansions. The power-focused session is particularly valuable given that electrical infrastructure availability has become the primary constraint on data center development in most markets. The Jersey City location is strategically chosen, positioning attendees in one of the most active data center development markets with proximity to Manhattan's financial district. The connection to NAIOP's I.CON East industrial conference (offering a registration discount) reinforces the industrial real estate angle and provides additional networking opportunities with the broader logistics and warehouse development community. For sponsors, this represents an opportunity to reach industrial capital that's increasingly flowing into data center projects. However, the single-day format limits deep relationship building compared to longer conferences. The exhibit space appears integrated into networking breaks rather than a standalone hall, suggesting a more intimate setting focused on high-quality interactions rather than mass marketing.

Who should attend

Industrial developers evaluating data center opportunities, institutional investors with infrastructure mandates, and specialized service providers targeting hyperscale development projects. Engineering firms, construction companies, and land brokers working in power-intensive industrial development will find the most relevant deal flow and partnership opportunities.

Event details