Explore the Agenda

7:30 am Light Breakfast & Networking

8:00 am Chair’s Opening Remarks

Mitigating Operational Impact During Retrofit Execution

8:10 am Panel: Executing Retrofit Work in Live Data Center Environments Without Disrupting Uptime

Director - Mission Critical & MEP, Balfour Beatty Construction
Director of PMO, Yondr Group
Vice President of Data Centers, Introba
Vice President of Mission Critical, Sargent Electric Co.
Design & Construction MEP, Vantage Data Centers
  • Navigating strict uptime constraints in live data centers by aligning retrofit execution with operational controls to protect customer workloads and system resilience
  • Improving planning for shutdowns, cutovers and integration activities to minimize disruption and maintain operational continuity
  • Developing contingency and risk mitigation plans that enable rapid response when construction activities, outages or sequencing do not go as planned
  • Identifying construction challenges that differentiate retrofits from new builds

9:10 am Audience Discussion: Navigating Complex Security Requirements in Retrofit Projects to Ensure Compliance Throughout Construction

Chief Operating Officer - Data Center Solutions, CBRE Global Workplace Solutions (GWS)
  • Coordinating retrofit activities within highly secure operational environments while maintaining compliance with customer, regulatory and facility-specific security requirements
  • Aligning construction workflows with operational security policies to prevent retrofit activities from disrupting critical facility protections
  • Strengthening communication between operations, security and construction teams to reduce unauthorized access risks and improve accountability across active project sites

9:40 am Morning Refreshments & Networking Break

Overcoming Uncertainty to Enable Controlled Execution

10:30 am Case Study: Overcoming Outdated & Inaccurate Drawings of Existing Infrastructure to Enable Precise Retrofit Design

Head of Construction, Prometheus Group
  • Exploring how Prometheus developed protocols for documenting existing site conditions to create a more reliable foundation for retrofit design and planning
  • Assessing how Prometheus improved project predictability and reducing redesigns, schedule delays and operational risk through validated as-built documentation and early identification of hidden infrastructure conflicts
  • Identifying how Prometheus leveraged field verification tools such as laser scanning to strengthen design precision and avoid harming the live environment

11:30 am Audience Discussion: Exploring How to Leverage AI & Digital Tools to Accelerate Retrofit Delivery

Project Manager - Engineering, Mesa Associates Inc
  • Exploring how AI-enabled scheduling, progress tracking and predictive analytics can improve visibility into retrofit execution risks and reduce project delays
  • Evaluating how digital tools, real-time facility data and intelligent modelling platforms improve coordination across design, construction and operations teams
  • Discussing how AI-assisted workflows can streamline submittals, compliance reviews, quality management and documentation processes to accelerate decision-making

12:00 pm Enhancing Vendor Management to Overcome Lead Time Challenges & Coordination Complexities Onsite

Senior Global Program Manager, CBRE
  • Balancing early procurement decisions against evolving retrofit requirements to reduce the risk of costly equipment modifications or replacement
  • Improving coordination between vendors, contractors and operations teams to reduce execution risks and maintain alignment during critical retrofit activities
  • Strengthening operational awareness and accountability among vendor and project teams to ensure adherence to site protocols throughout execution

12:40 pm Networking Lunch

Protecting People & Critical Systems

1:40 pm Case Study: Selecting Methods & Materials That Comply with Live Facility Constraints & Requirements

Director of Engineering, Jones Lang LaSalle
  • Understanding how material selections impact structural loading, installation sequencing and long-term maintenance requirements across retrofit projects
  • Identifying when operational requirements necessitate alternative installation approaches to reduce disruption to uptime
  • Choosing alternative piping materials and connection methods that reduce hot work to minimize operational risk

2:10 pm Audience Discussion: Managing Electrical, LOTO & Energized Work Risks During Live Retrofit Execution

Manager, Virtual Construction, ColonialWebb Contractors Company
  • Exploring how to strengthen LOTO procedures, switching protocols and operational controls to safely isolate retrofit activities without compromising system resiliency
  • Discussing how to manage redundancy and resiliency constraints when integrating new equipment into live electrical lineups, where even short interruptions can impact rack-level power availability
  • Identifying methods to strengthen electrical safety practices for retrofit work occurring around energized systems where operational continuity leaves little room for error

2:40 pm Chair’s Closing Remarks

2:50 pm End of Conference