Frequently Asked Questions

What makes this event better than other data center events?

Despite the tremendous value of this conference, Data Center Decisions is free to attend for qualified IT professionals. Only IT professionals with management or significant involvement in the data center and/or on the enterprise systems and applications that reside in your organization's data center can attend the sessions at this event so you'll be seated next to true peers, who, like you, have an advanced understanding of their jobs. You're not going to hear vendor sales pitches disguised as content; instead we deliver real-life technical insight from independent experts. Insights that you can put to use the day you return from the conference. And unlike other industry events that merely identify the trends and issues you face, each session at Data Center Decisions provides practical, real-world advice on how to implement the top solutions and avoid the costly pitfalls that our experts have uncovered.

How do I qualify to attend this free event?

Data Center Decisions is free of charge to qualified IT professionals. To qualify, you must be an IT professional with a significant investment or involvement on the enterprise systems and applications that reside in your organization's data center. To apply to be accepted, please click here to fill out the enrollment form.

Can I pay to attend if I don't qualify?

Seating is limited and the conference is restricted to no more than 300 IT professionals, all of who must meet the qualification criteria described above. Because of the limited space for qualified delegates who meet the acceptance criteria, we are unable to accommodate even those who would like to pay for admittance.

How does the application and enrollment process work?

Once you have filled out the enrollment form, the Data Center Decisions delegate services team will hand-select those managers who will most benefit most from this event and who meet the attendee criteria based on responses to questions provided in the enrollment form. Each person who enrolls will be notified of his or her status via email within a few days of submission. Because the number of qualified applicants far exceeds the number of delegates that we can accommodate at the event, please apply early as once the maximum number of qualified attendees is reached, we can no longer accept applications to attend.

What costs are associated with this free event?

Admittance to all sessions, the exhibit hall, receptions and peer networking events is free of charge to qualified delegates. Lunches at the event are also provided to you at no cost. Since the conference is free to qualified delegates, the only costs that you will be responsible for are your hotel, airfare and other travel expenses. We have secured a block of rooms at the Hyatt Regency at McCormick Place in Chicago where the event is taking placeat a discounted conference rate. Visit the Hotel/City Information section of our Web site.

We do require that approved delegates confirm your plans to attend by submitting a credit card to hold your seat. You won't be charged a thing unless you do not show up and do not cancel your delegate seat, in which case you will be charged a $195 penalty to cover the costs that we incur. This policy allows you to display your commitment to attend and helps us keep the free conference model.

Our Promise:

We guarantee to deliver top speakers, analysts and NO sales pitches disguised as content. Only qualified IT pros are allowed to attend with no vendors allowed in the sessions or are vendors allowed to present in the sessions. All presentations are focused on real-world, now projects. None of our technical sessions compete with exhibit hall hours and we provide breakout workshops designed to specifically meet your level, whether you're a data center veteran or just entering the field. And because our conference costs are covered by sponsors and exhibitors, qualified delegates attend FREE.

Your Promise:

Upon completion of our registration form and after you are accepted to attend, we do require that you stay at the same convenient location that the conference takes place, the Hyatt Regency at McCormick Place. Through our agreement with the hotel and to ensure we are able to continue to deliver free attendance to qualified delegateswe request that you reserve your room at the Hyatt Regency at McCormick Place to attend Data Center Decisions.

For more information on discount room rates available to all attendees in our reserved conference room block, please visit the Hotel/City Information section of our Web site.

Who do I contact if I have additional questions?

For questions regarding enrollment, contact our Delegate Relations Manager John Smith at 508-621-5535.

For exhibitor and sponsorship opportunities, contact Marc Laplante at 781-657-1570.

For inquiries regarding involvement in the event program, contact Beth Nicholson at 781-657-1393.

Press and analysts, please contact Beth Nicholson at 781-657-1393.

For co-branded marketing opportunities, contact Renee Cormier at 781-657-1606.