Know Before You Go | PTC'DC

Welcome everyone to No Before You Go. I'm your host James Scott Kataya, CEO and founder of JSA. What is No Before You Go? It is your show that covers everything us attendees need to know as we're heading out to our next big conference. We're talking insider talking points all the way to conference logistics and everything in between. And today we are spotlighting none other than PTC DC which is happening soon September 17th in Reston Virginia. I am joined by none other than Mr. Brian Moon CEO of PTC himself to share some tips on how us attendees can make the most of PTC DC. Welcome Brian. >> Thank you Jamie. Always good to see you and spend time with you. Appreciate the opportunity. It is it is our pure pleasure my friend. PTCDC is an incredible opportunity. If you guys have not gone yet, make sure you mark it down. It brings together government and us industry leaders and one pivotable pivotal moment in place and time for us digital infrastructure. We're talking everything in ecosystem government as well as our industry leaders. Tell me, Brian, what makes this year's event even more important for executives across our ecosystem? >> So, this is the third edition of PTCDC and and I've said this the past two years, but this time it it really is different. Um, as you just mentioned, we're at a really critical moment in our industry where sectors like AI, energy, and infrastructure investment are colliding all at once. and the decisions that matter, it can't be made in silos anymore. And so a really good buzzword that we're starting to hear and have heard is convergence, right? And and what we mean by that is uh hyperscalers capacity plans are dependent on utility interconnection. Uh private equities firms underwriting is dependent on spectrum and permitting policies. Now, um I talked about convergence back in January at PTC26 and PTCDC exists precisely because none of these problems can be solved by staying inside these silos anymore in these sectors. >> Um and as we've seen as AI demand is it's it's reshaping the entire infrastructure stack, which is exactly why that cross- sector conversation, the convergence of all these industries coming together isn't optional anymore. So again, we're at a really pivotal time in our industry right now. We're fortunate enough to have this midyear seminar take place in the middle of the year uh and bring together these different leaders um and executives from different industries and have them all come in one room and and learn from each other. >> Yeah, I I love the word convergence a and collaboration. So many of these issues facing uh us here at digital infrastructure policy regulation investment energy technology deployment all requires this collaboration this convergence across all these sectors. How is PC PTCDC creating a platform for those important conversations and collaborations? >> So so this year the the biggest change I would say starting is is the format. So this year we intentionally built PTC as a one-day high density gathering in the DC area. And as as many of may have noticed is we actually chose to relocate to Reston, Virginia, which is arguably the data hub of the world um outside of the nation's capital. And specifically, we're bringing back government officials, regulators, policy makers, all in the same room as the private equity firms, the telco operators, the data center developers, and cloud providers who are actually putting the capital to work. Um, and creating a one-day event lets us build a format that it continues to where policy people aren't just talking to policy people, right, in one session and industry people aren't just talking to industry people in another session. We're putting them all on one stage, all in the same session. So, a regulator hears directly from someone who's trying to finance a subc cable site or a data center site and vice versa. And that's really where our secret sauce has been. It's it's bringing these industries together, these professionals together, and that's where the value really happens. So, it's not only on center stage, but it's in the hallways and the networking breaks, uh the reception, etc. um and and providing this platform where it's not only education, but there's all these other opportunities on the side um where people are learning from each other and talking to each other. >> Well, and that brings up a good question. Looking across this year's speaker lineup, which is killer, um and also these conversations that are happening in the halls, um the the unbelievable networking you're known for. What are common themes that are emerging? >> So, have you ever heard of this technology called AI? >> [laughter] >> Yeah. >> Yeah. It's it's it's people are starting to talk about it. Um so AI obviously it's on everyone's mind, right? So a few common themes that that are going to run through the sessions this year, specifically AI, but it's going to be AIdriven infrastructure demand. um capital and financing strategies to meet the demand for the AI um data center subc buildouts cyber security resilience and the policy frameworks are trying to keep pace with all of it. So um if I was to point out towards some sessions that have the most strategic weight, I'd say watch the ones where the investors and the policy makers are sharing a panel. again theme of convergence and that's actually where we're going to hear where the money's flowing versus where the regulator friction still is. >> Interesting. Yeah, that friction point. >> Yeah. >> And for us executives attending PTCDC, it might be, you know, maybe it's our first time. What is your best advice for making these meaningful connections, getting these actionable insights, and leaving the event with this lasting business value? How should we prepare to make it potent for us? >> Yeah. So, so because it is a one-day conference this time, um we want to make sure that everyone makes the most out of it and we provided some really good resource to do so. So, one of the first things and we've actually soft launched it at PTC is Kai. Jamie, if you haven't met Kai yet, um you should you should uh meet Kai officially. So, Kai is PTC's new AI assistant >> and Kai is built in to the mobile app. It's on the website as well. Um, and it's a valuable resource to really ask anything about PTC, but also specifically about PTC DC within the app. Um, so use Kai as a resource. Answers all the common FAQs, but also goes deep dive into specific topics you're looking for in DC. Um, and obviously the mobile app has the messaging and networking feature. So, want attendees to get ahead of that uh with making outreach out to attendees ahead of time to schedule meetings and appointments, etc. Um, from a content perspective, I would say to attendees, come come with a specific problem you're you're trying to solve, right? Not just a stack of business cards to hold meetings, but there's a big education piece to DC. >> Um, and since it is a one-day conference, pick two or three conversations that are genuinely going to move your business forward and go find those people directly. Uh again the mobile app has been revamped. So the networking and the messaging features are all live now and it's downloadable in the app stores. So definitely use u those features with networking and messaging. Use Kai and then also sit in on sessions and we've talked about this is where just your sector isn't the one presenting. Um some of the best insight I get every year from PTCDC is is watching you know other sectors or ones that I'm interested in. So, for example, watching how policy makers or investors frame a problem that I thought I already understood. >> And then finally, one of our more popular networking programs is we're bringing back the executive networking breakfast and that's going to take place on Thursday morning. Um, and that's an opportunity to sit at the same table with the speakers and other attendees who you may not have known were going to be attending or may not have known about their business. But it's a really good opportunity to start the day, start the morning discussing current issues and how to solve them. And again, it's a really nice opportunity for our attendees to meet with the speakers in a really intimate environment. Uh, and it it'll be a speed dating format again. So, two sessions, half hour each, and then everyone will move around and shift to another table. So, it's been really popular in both PTCDC and the annual conference. So, we're happy to bring that back. >> I love it. I love it. I And I will say um I I have the pleasure of interviewing a lot of event organizers. Um your answer with Kai is is absolutely the coolest so far. So, well done as always. >> I know we're I know we're talking about DC, Jamie, but um we're softwatching Kai in DC, but wait till we get to January. >> Oh, I cannot wait. I don't know. Restston and Honolulu. These are uh incredible, incredible places to be and you make it more incredible with your ability of bringing us together, educating us, providing opportunities for us to network. We so appreciate what you do for us, for our industry. Um, thank you so much, especially right now when when time is so tight. Thank you for joining us and giving us your your insight, my friend. >> No, you're welcome. Thank you again for the opportunity. It's always good to see you and appreciate everything you do as well. >> All right, guys. And um out there listening, thank you for joining us. get all the details as you prepare for PTCDC. Go ahead and visit ptc.org/ptcdc. And during the conference, go ahead and use that hashtag ptcdc. We will be watching you. In the meantime, follow us on LinkedIn or find out more on jsa.net. Thank you for tuning in to know before you go and as always, happy networking. [music]