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2023 data storage conference lineup spotlights memory, cloud
While the previous three years featured a majority of virtual or hybrid events, in-person shows dominate the 2023 storage conference calendar. Emerging memory tech is a key focus.
It's beginning to look a lot like 2019 -- at least as far as the data storage conference schedule is concerned.
As the COVID-19 pandemic has substantially subsided, most storage-related events on the calendar this year are fully in person. There's even a new conference among the stalwarts of the data storage conference lineup.
One clear indication that budgets are still tight is the justification letter that appears on many conference websites, which helps potential attendees make the case to their workplaces that they should go.
As far as important areas of focus, memory is a major player. In fact, three of the shows in this group will have a strong memory focus and mention the topic in the title. In addition, cloud and security -- specifically the continued presence of ransomware -- are other key subjects.
We will continue to update this data storage conference list as organizations add and update events.
MemCon, March 28-29, Mountain View, Calif.
New conference MemCon is focused on end users and systems. Event themes include disaggregated and composable infrastructure, the Compute Express Link (CXL) interconnect, memory pooling and hierarchical memory, and computational memory and storage. The conference will focus on the intersections among systems design; emerging memories, storage and CXL; and other technologies, according to the event website. Speakers include representatives from Google, Micron, Microsoft, Nvidia, Oracle and Samsung.
SNIA Compute+Memory+Storage Summit, April 11-12, virtual
Previously known as the Persistent Memory+Computational Storage Summit, the 11th annual event from the Storage Networking Industry Association (SNIA) is now the Compute+Memory+Storage Summit. The virtual show features topics such as computational memory and storage uses, the CXL interconnect, form factors and the evolution of memory. Speakers represent Intel, Samsung, SNIA and VMware, among other organizations. Free registration is available.
Nutanix .NEXT, May 9-10, Chicago
Nutanix .NEXT is back in person with a focus on IT infrastructure and cloud that features several storage-related sessions. Topics include DR, hyper-converged infrastructure, file storage and hybrid cloud. In addition to a number of Nutanix executives and directors, guest speakers include sports legends Allyson Felix and Tony Hawk.
Dell Technologies World, May 22-25, Las Vegas
Dell Technologies World returned to in person last year with hands-on labs, keynotes and breakout sessions. Expect a similar setup this year. Topics and tracks feature multi-cloud and as-a-service, the future of work, modern data infrastructure, edge and security. Storage sessions cover such issues as ransomware protection, storage as a service, object storage and Kubernetes. Speakers include CEO Michael Dell and other executives, plus director James Cameron and astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson.
Pure//Accelerate, June 14-16, Las Vegas
Pure Storage presents its Pure//Accelerate data storage conference with tracks that feature sustainability, data protection and security, cloud, AI and analytics, data access and containers. Digging deeper, specific sessions discuss flash storage, block storage for AWS and Azure, hybrid cloud and ransomware recovery. Attendees can also receive certification prep and take certification exams.
HPE Discover, June 20-22, Las Vegas
For the 2023 edition, HPE Discover is again placing a major focus on "edge to cloud." Tracks are AI and analytics, compute, connectivity and edge, data management, high-performance computing and supercomputing, hybrid cloud, security and sustainability. Storage-related session topics include a DR case study featuring American Airlines, HPE GreenLake for Block Storage, scale-out file storage and SAN management. HPE President and CEO Antonio Neri will give a keynote.
Flash Memory Summit, Aug. 8-10, Santa Clara, Calif.
Flash Memory Summit is dedicated to both memory and storage. Topics include DRAM, DNA storage, CXL, AI and machine learning, data centers, 3D flash and NVMe. HPE, IBM, Intel, Kioxia, SNIA and Western Digital are among the speakers' organizations. Keynote addresses will feature the future of flash, NAND flash, SSDs for hyperscale data centers, and computational storage for ransomware detection.
Here are other scheduled and potential conferences to keep an eye on:
- IBM Think, May 9-11, Orlando, Fla.
- Red Hat Summit, May 23-25, Boston.
- VMware Explore, Aug. 21-24, Las Vegas.
- SNIA's Storage Developer Conference, Sept. 18-21, Fremont, Calif.
- KubeCon + CloudNativeCon North America, Nov. 6-9, Chicago.
- AWS re:Invent, Nov. 27-Dec. 1, Las Vegas.
- Global IT Executive Summit (not yet announced).
- Nasuni CloudBound (not yet announced).
- NetApp Insight (not yet announced).
