As the digital economy accelerates on the back of AI and hyperscale infrastructure, the question of who will build and run tomorrow’s data centers has never been more urgent. Since its inception in 2015, International Data Center Day (IDCD), organized by 7x24 Exchange International, has steadily grown into a global campaign to answer that question—by inspiring the next generation of mission-critical talent.

This year’s IDCD, observed in March but increasingly seen as a year-round initiative, was the subject of a recent Data Center Frontier Show podcast conversation with 7x24 Exchange International Chairman and CEO Bob Cassiliano and Aheli Purkayastha, Chief Product Officer of Purkay Labs and President of the New England Chapter. The two industry leaders outlined how 7x24 Exchange is advancing the mission of IDCD through grassroots engagement, structured resources, and a growing constellation of strategic partnerships.

A Response to the Talent Shortage

The origin of IDCD traces back to 7x24 Exchange’s recognition—at a 2015 leadership event—that there was not only a lack of awareness of data center careers among students, but also a vacuum of visibility in the educational system. In response, the organization launched IDCD to build a long-term pipeline by introducing the industry to students early, consistently, and accessibly.

Today, that mission is more critical than ever. As generative AI workloads surge and new builds stretch power and land capacity, the need for skilled, motivated professionals to support design, operations, and innovation across the lifecycle of data centers has intensified.

Turning Awareness Into Action

In 2025, IDCD expanded its reach through a broad range of local chapter events and partner activations. These included data center tours, educational presentations, interactive demos, 5K runs, and a hackathon hosted by the New England Chapter. The hackathon stood out as a model for applied learning, pairing 50 high school students with industry professionals in a challenge to design a data center in space—all in just five hours. The result: heightened student interest, deeper industry engagement, and a clear illustration of the educational value these events can offer.

While university students remain a key audience, organizers have recognized the need to reach even younger learners. Initiatives are increasingly targeting elementary and middle school students through age-appropriate programming, with a special emphasis on encouraging young women to consider careers in mission-critical infrastructure.

Resources, Reach, and Real Outcomes

The IDCD campaign is more than a collection of events—it is supported by a robust infrastructure of tools, templates, and thought leadership. At the core is InternationalDataCenterDay.org, a centralized hub offering educational content tailored to different age groups, a career path “tree,” and a library of interviews with professionals across the ecosystem. These resources empower volunteers, educators, and sponsors to create consistent, high-impact programming.

The outcomes speak for themselves. IDCD has helped catalyze the development of data center curricula at both the secondary and postsecondary levels. The Carolinas Chapter, for instance, played a key role in helping Cleveland Community College secure a $23 million grant to develop a full-fledged data center program. Elsewhere, scholarships are on the rise, and growing numbers of students and faculty are attending industry conferences.

Supporting these gains are complementary 7x24 Exchange programs such as WIMCO (Women in Mission Critical Operations), STEM mentoring, and Data Center 101 sessions—designed to provide clear entry points for newcomers while reinforcing the industry's inclusive, interdisciplinary nature.