Written By:
Charlie Droessler
Spend time around data center professionals and one thing becomes obvious quickly: change is the baseline. At a recent data center conference, what stood out wasn’t just what is changing, but how the industry is responding.
Constant Change is the New Normal
Power demand is climbing, technology keeps evolving and advancing, and teams are being asked to move faster, smarter, and at a larger scale than ever before. Solve one challenge and another quickly takes its place.
Even facility layouts reflect this ongoing adjustment. Two-story data centers were becoming common not long ago. Now, many new facilities are swinging back toward single-story designs as teams balance constructability, speed, and long-term performance. This reality requires teams to stay flexible and realistic about how quickly conditions can shift.
Scale is Increasing—and it's Raising the Stakes
One example shared during the conference captured the pace of growth: a development team that delivered roughly 25MW over the past two years is planning to deliver 500MW in 2026. That level of expansion is no longer aspirational—it’s scheduled. More than one attendee described 2026 as a proving ground. Teams with the experience and ability to execute consistently will move ahead. Those without it will struggle to keep up. At this scale, timely execution matters as much as innovation.
Safety is a Shared Priority
One topic that is near and dear to me, and all of us at LJB, is the value of keeping people safe during construction and throughout the operation and maintenance of data centers. I noticed how my conversations became more focused when the topic shifted to “opportunities to improve safety”, i.e. describing how LJB delivers turnkey fall protection solutions. Data center projects involve tight schedules, complex systems, and little room for error. Safety has moved beyond compliance—it’s tied directly to trust, performance, quality, and long-term success.
Innovation Moves Faster When People Connect
This event provided me with the opportunity to meet many new data center owners, operators, general contractors, architects, and MEP engineers. When these cross-functional professionals were in the same room, problems were discussed openly and ideas moved quickly. Conversations ranged from satellite-based data centers to behind the meter energy solutions, to advances in long-duration energy storage. The pace of innovation supporting this industry is impressive—and collaboration is a major reason why.
Despite all the technology, one truth remains unchanged: people want to work with people they trust. Data center projects carry real risk. That reality makes relationships essential. Many of the most meaningful connections came from familiar faces making introductions and leaving space for organic discussions. In a fast-moving industry, trust still opens doors.
Looking Ahead
The data center market isn’t just growing—it’s sharpening. Power demand will keep rising. Technology will continue to evolve. The scale of projects will keep testing teams. The organizations that succeed will be the ones who adapt quickly, execute well, and work effectively with others under pressure.
And, when the right people connect, challenges get solved faster—and progress follows. That combination of technical experience, adaptability, and strong relationships will shape what comes next.
Let's Keep the Conversation Going...
If you’re seeing similar shifts, challenges, or opportunities in your corner of the data center space, we’d love to compare notes. Because in an industry built on infrastructure, the connections still matter most.
