I just had breakfast and connected with Director of data center operations at a major retailer and another with a major software ISV. So, overall a good start, and both of the executives were interested in the green data center topic. I have their business cards. :-)

One way I would use to describe that the Gartner event is this is marketplace for data center decision makers and data center vendors. As one person said, they have 8 dinners scheduled over 4 days. But, it is worth it because they get quality time away from the office with senior executives at the vendors.

Here is my bright pink badge that says I am a press guy.

There are modular data centers from IBM, SGI, and HP. But in general software companies are the majority of exhibitors.

Gartner has interactive survey allowing polling of the audience.

On a 9 question poll. What is the largest data center challenge you currently face? 31% for power and cooling . Next was 16% with for aligning with business.

Which is the most funding in 2009/2010

28% data center facilities projects

Sorry for the picture quality, but I used my iPhone as cameras are not allowed.