Hong Kong just became ground zero for the future of Asia’s digital infrastructure.
The Data Center Asia (DCA) event officially launched this week at AsiaWorld-Expo, marking a major new player in the regional tech circuit. Modeled after the long-running Data Center World in the U.S., DCA brings a globally informed, Asia-first perspective to a rapidly expanding market. And with stops planned for Jakarta and Kuala Lumpur later this year, it’s already shaping up to be APAC’s first connected data center circuit.
Global Reach, Local Focus
More than 200 brands from across China, the U.S., Japan, Singapore, and beyond are showcasing the next generation of data center solutions—think modular design, cooling tech, DCIM, network infrastructure, cloud platforms, and cutting-edge security systems.
A highlight: the MATRADE Pavilion, which puts a spotlight on Malaysia’s growing digital tech sector and its latest contributions to data center innovation.
This isn’t just a hardware show, though. DCA is as much knowledge hub as it is tech expo. Across three packed days, the event features five summits and forums, tackling 12 priority themes including AI, cybersecurity, sustainability, and next-gen computing.
Omdia Brings AI’s Future into Focus
One of the marquee moments of DCA 2025: the Omdia Analyst Summit. Omdia, the research arm of Informa Tech, ran a full-day deep dive titled “Where is AI Really Headed?”—a grounded, data-rich look at how artificial intelligence is reshaping data centers.
From AI-optimized cooling systems to the emergence of alternative energy infrastructure, Omdia offered realistic roadmaps for operators looking to stay competitive through 2030.
This session reflects a broader truth: AI is no longer just an overlay. It’s becoming a foundational layer in how data centers are built, powered, and scaled.
Sustainability Goes Center Stage
DCA’s Sustainability Forum didn’t pull any punches. The event opened with a keynote from Cushman & Wakefield’s Pritesh Swamy, who highlighted how ESG performance and energy efficiency are now critical factors in data center investments across the region.
Panel sessions featuring association leaders from Malaysia, Singapore, and the Philippines explored how data centers can design for a carbon-neutral future—from location planning to energy sourcing and equipment lifecycle.
Takeaway? Sustainability is no longer a marketing point. It’s a business necessity—and a serious differentiator in APAC’s data-hungry economy.
Deep Dives Across Verticals
Beyond the big themes, DCA also drilled into the sector-specific issues that matter.
- Deep Knowledge Summit: Focused on AI and green technologies in DC architecture, with insights from Nvidia, SLiquid Global, and Korea Data Center Council.
- Cybersecurity Ecosystem Forum: Hosted with ISC2 Shanghai Chapter, explored how to secure data centers in an AI era. Topics included zero-trust models, cross-border data, and the persistent cyber talent gap.
- Design & Operations Summit: Tapped top engineering minds from NUS, Data to Cool (DTC), and other leaders to break down best practices in AI-ready facility design, thermal systems, and liquid cooling advancements.
These tracks delivered something that’s still rare in the conference space: high-caliber, technically specific content that appeals to both executives and practitioners.
More Than a Conference—A Platform for Cross-Sector Innovation
Strategically co-located with Build4Asia, Mobility Tech Asia, and Battery Show Asia, DCA’s launch edition wasn’t just a siloed tech event. It became part of a larger conversation around infrastructure, electrification, and digital transformation.
By bringing together IDC providers, EPC contractors, hyperscalers, manufacturers, and policy leaders under one roof, DCA served up a uniquely interdisciplinary view of the data center as a nexus for smart cities, AI, and energy systems
APAC is now home to some of the fastest-growing data center markets in the world, and the regional demand for AI-capable, energy-efficient, and secure infrastructure is outpacing legacy models.
DCA 2025 isn’t just a regional copy of a Western format—it’s a tailored platform built for the complex needs of Asia’s digital future.
By bringing the right stakeholders, practical technologies, and deep insights together in one event, DCA is setting a new benchmark for what data center expos in Asia can—and should—look like.
Next stops: Jakarta and Kuala Lumpur. The evolution of Asia’s cloud backbone continues.
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