Quality over quantity drives growth for DataCentresNorth

The start of this month saw the annual Data Centers North event take place in Manchester, the United Kingdom.

In the age of colossal conferences seeking to please the 'big guys', the organisers behind Data Centers North have taken a quality over quantity approach with total onsite attendance of the two day event reaching just over 500, continuing its growth since 2015.

Data Centers North worked with its supporting associations and organisations to determine relevant content for those involved with data centers strategy, covering aspects like infrastructure, fire safety, connectivity, edge data centers, security, future technology, maintenance and operations.

Exhibition director Hugh Robinson says the event was a great success and is best summed up by one its exhbitors, Clarke Energy group marketing - compliance director Alex Marshall.

"The Data Centers North exhibition has depth and quality of delegates," says Marshall.

"We were delighted to receive a number of leads for potential customers looking at gas based power systems for data centers in UK and in Ireland, which we would not have received if we weren't present.

The event featured more than 40 individual presentations with the BBC's Gary Richardson speaking at the gala dinner. Robinson says the whole event created a really good atmosphere where people could learn, network, and enjoy themselves.

AIMES Grid Network project director Michael Walker says he enjoyed every aspect of the event as it was well organised and delivered.

"I was able to attend some very useful presentations and participate in some of the sessions as well as having the useful opportunities to network with other sector professionals in the breakout periods and over dinner," says Walker.

"The dinner was very good indeed and the speaker provided some light relief to the business of the event. We all complain about 'everything being in London' and this event is a real opportunity to build something in the North of England.

CBRE Data Center Solutions director Tom Glover says one thing that pleased him and other exhibitors was the lack of time wasters, allowing them to spend more time with those that were actually after meaningful business conversations.

"Where else can you meet so many data center focused people at the same time in the north of England? A great opportunity to catch up with colleagues in the industry and make new contacts," says Glover.

"The gala dinner event provided a great platform to network and was expertly entertained by Gary Richardson.