2008-06-17 23:32:30 -

www.ngdcexpo.com - IDG World Expo, the leading producer of world-class tradeshows and events, has announced its first ever "Next Generation Data Center Design Challenge," which will take place at this year's Next Generation Data Center conference and expo. The challenge, sponsored by The Data Center Journal, will showcase engineering and architectural designs that are cutting edge, environmentally conscious, and take data center design to the next generation. Next Generation Data Center is scheduled to take place August 4-7, 2008, at San Francisco's Moscone Center.

"This is a great opportunity for data center professionals to show off their design skills and learn from the industry's top data center designers," said Melinda Kendall, Vice President and General Manager, Next Generation Data

Center."Whether coming from a seasoned data center owner who is proud of their accomplishments, or a professional design firm, this challenge is a great way to showcase cutting edge data centers."

The challenge will feature three different categories that include:

-- Best Overall Innovative Design - Given to the most innovative and forward thinking design (built or conceptual) that takes into account all levels of availability and efficiency from site location, security, building design, interior layout and infrastructure design.

-- Best Power Efficient Design - Given to an actual completed and built design that incorporates energy efficiency practices with measured and proven efficiencies in the power system.

-- Best Cooling Efficient Design - Given to an actual completed and built design that incorporates energy efficiency practices with measured and proven efficiencies in the cooling system.

"Data center design has not changed much over the past 20 years, but today's data center designers are being challenged with more dense spaces that require more power and cooling," said Randy J. Ortiz, Executive Editor, The Data Center Journal. "In addition, energy costs are escalating and clients are more demanding than ever of their long term return on investment. It is these issues that are the incubators for new design ideas and the Next Generation Data Center Design Challenge will showcase some of the best."

Submissions will be reviewed by two industry peers and a member of Data Center Journal, and three finalists will be selected in each category prior to the start of NGDC. Each finalist will have their documentation displayed in a special showcase at NGDC for all attendees, and an opportunity to explain their concept to the judges and attendees at the event on Tuesday morning.

The results will be announced during an onsite ceremony at NGDC on Tuesday, August 5, at 3:00 p.m. at the Center Stage Theater, at which each category winner will receive an award.

For additional information on submission requirements, as well as the official rules for the contest, please visit www.ngdcexpo.com.

About Next Generation Data Center

NGDC is targeted to data center professionals ranging from IT architects to system administrators, seeking the right products and services to add to their end-to-end solutions as they adapt to ever increasing needs for flexibility, scalability and performance. For more information or to register for the event, visit the Next Generation Data Center Web site at www.ngdcexpo.com, or call (800) 657-1474. For exhibiting opportunities, please contact Amy Bonner at (508) 424-4892 or amy_bonner@idg.com or Giovanni Stein at (508) 424-4864 or Giovanni_stein@idg.com. For sponsorship opportunities, please contact Ellen Boland at (508) 988-7830 or Michelle Mohr at (508) 424-4855, or michelle_mohr@idg.com.

About IDG World Expo

IDG World Expo (www.idgworldexpo.com) is a leading producer of tradeshows and events for professionals and consumers seeking world-class education, peer-to-peer networking and one-stop comparison shopping. IDG World Expo's portfolio of conferences and events includes Entertainment For All(TM) (E For All(TM)), E3 Media & Business Summit, GreenXchange Xpo(TM), LinuxWorld Conference & Expo(R), Macworld Conference & Expo(R), Next Generation Data Center(TM) (NGDC(TM)) and REVEAL Los Angeles...The Fashion & Design Event(TM). IDG World Expo is a business unit of IDG, the world's leading technology media, research and event company.

IDG World Expo
Charlotte McCormack, 508-424-4837
charlotte_mccormack@idg.com