Iowa Digital Infrastructure Summit
September 29, 2026 | Des Moines
Iowa’s growing demand for digital infrastructure extends far beyond data centers. The Iowa Digital Infrastructure Summit brings together the people, facts, and perspectives needed to understand what that growth requires, what it enables, and how Iowa can meet the challenges and opportunities ahead.
Agenda
8:00 a.m.
Breakfast + Networking
Kick off the Summit with an with a light breakfast, coffee and connection before the event begins
8:15 a.m.
Welcome Remarks
Tyler Wyngarden, Vice President, Strategic Partnerships, Technology Assocation of Iowa
Debbie Dean, Vice President, Health Analytics Solutions, General Dynamics Information Technology & 2026 TAI Board Chair
8:30 a.m.
Keynote Address: State of Digital Infrastructure in Iowa
Brian Waller, President, Technology Assocation of Iowa
9:15 a.m.
The Workforce Behind the Infrastructure
Speakers Coming Soon
Iowa’s growing digital infrastructure landscape requires more than technology. It requires a skilled workforce to build, operate, and support it. This panel brings together leaders from skilled trades, construction, and education to explore the jobs being created, wages and career pathways, training opportunities, where workers are coming from, and how much demand can be met by Iowa talent. The conversation will also examine what industry and education can do now to prepare more Iowans for the opportunities ahead.
10:25 a.m.
Early Findings from the Iowa AI Business Survey
Chris Porter, Associate professor of computer science, Director of the Artificial Intelligence Program, and Co-Chair of the Math & Computer Science Department, Drake University
For the first time, Iowa employers are providing a clearer picture of how AI is being adopted across the state. This session will unpack early findings from the Iowa AI Business Survey, including where organizations are seeing value, where barriers remain, how investment and workforce needs are shifting, and what the results may signal for Iowa’s digital infrastructure and economic future.
11:15 a.m.
Meeting the Demand: Iowa's Energy Future
Mike Macri III, Vice President, CBRE
Maison Beam, Regional Director, State Regulatory Affairs - Central Region Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO)
Tami Madsen, Executive Director, Central Iowa Water Works (CIWW)
As demand for digital infrastructure accelerates, access to reliable and affordable power has become one of the most significant factors shaping where and how growth can happen. For Iowa, that means balancing rapidly increasing energy needs with grid reliability, affordability, and the state’s leadership in renewable energy. This panel brings together regional energy and utility leaders to examine the power landscape behind Iowa’s digital growth. Panelists will explore the macro-level grid capacity, how utilities forecast and plan for significant new load demand, and what it takes to serve large-scale infrastructure investments while maintaining a reliable and cost-effective energy system for businesses and communities across the state.
12:15 p.m.
Closing Remarks
Brian Waller, President, Technology Assocation of Iowa
Event Details
Tuesday, September 29, 2026
8:00 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.
The Des Moines Heritage Center
120 E 5th St, Des Moines, IA 50309
Register Below
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