1:00 pm - 1:05 pm
PalmWood Event & Conference Center
|
Welcome and Introductions
Conference kick-off, welcome and introductions and conference overview.
Speakers:
Howard Berger
Realcomm
Howard Berger
Managing Partner, SVP Programs
Howard Berger has over 30 years of experience in technology and commercial/investment real estate. As Realcomm's SVP Programs, he manages its US and i
Howard Berger
Managing Partner, SVP Programs
Realcomm
Howard Berger has over 30 years of experience in technology and commercial/investment real estate. As Realcomm's SVP Programs, he manages its US and international conferences and CIO programs. Previously, he was with The Jamesan Group, which specialized in strategic technology consulting for the commercial real estate industry and prior to that, he was with TRW Real Estate Information Systems where he developed real estate information systems for the mortgage, appraisal and title insurance industries.
Lisa Woods
Realcomm
Lisa Woods
Managing Partner, SVP Business Development
As Managing Partner, SVP of Strategy & Business Development, Lisa Woods is responsible for developing Realcomm's strategic relationships with the tech
Lisa Woods
Managing Partner, SVP Business Development
Realcomm
As Managing Partner, SVP of Strategy & Business Development, Lisa Woods is responsible for developing Realcomm's strategic relationships with the technology companies that participate in the company's conferences, seminars and CIO events. Prior to joining Realcomm, Lisa spent 10 years working with building owners and managers, providing technology solutions in telecommunications, access control and security.
|
1:05 pm - 1:15 pm
PalmWood Event & Conference Center
|
Welcoming Remarks
Former 4-term Fort Worth mayor, Kenneth Barr, will welcome attendees of Realcomm’s inaugural ELECTRIFY | Smart DC-Powered Buildings event. Understanding the transformative potential of the technology, he will provide insight into the city’s interest in the field highlighting local efforts. Join us at the forefront of a pivotal movement in the built environment.
Speaker:
Kenneth Barr
Barr Consulting Group
Kenneth Barr
Principal
Barr Consulting Group
|
1:15 pm - 1:25 pm
PalmWood Event & Conference Center
|
Opening Session: Reimagining the Future Power Infrastructure of Buildings
For most in the built environment, AC (Alternating Current) is a forgone conclusion when it comes to providing power to buildings. History tells us that the battle between AC and DC (Direct Current) at the Chicago World's Fair in 1893 would determine the future of an electrical standard throughout the world. AC's ability to safely travel long distances won the day and the rest is history. Today, we find ourselves reimagining the future of the power infrastructure of buildings as technological innovation allows us to harness DC for smarter, more sustainable buildings. This opening session will review the current state of the building power infrastructure and question the rate of adoption of a technology that has the potential to shape the future of buildings, where they become intelligent ecosystems that prioritize sustainability and performance.
Speaker:
Jim Young
Realcomm
Jim Young
Co-Founder & CEO
Founder of Realcomm Conference Group, an education organization that produces Realcomm, IBcon and CoRE Tech, the world's leading conferences on techno
Jim Young
Co-Founder & CEO
Realcomm
Founder of Realcomm Conference Group, an education organization that produces Realcomm, IBcon and CoRE Tech, the world's leading conferences on technology, automated business solutions, intelligent buildings and energy efficiency for the commercial and corporate real estate industry. As CEO, Jim interacts with the largest companies globally pertaining to some of the most advanced and progressive next generation real estate projects under development.
|
1:25 pm - 2:00 pm
PalmWood Event & Conference Center
|
Convergence and the Disruption of Electrification
New technologies, such as Fault Managed Power Systems (FMP) and Digital Electricity are challenging the traditional 120-year old electrification model, offering safer and more efficient methods for power distribution. We’ll dive into some of the transformative technologies reshaping the electrical industry and examine their role in modern building designs.
Speaker:
Jeff Beavers
National Electrical Contractors Association
Jeff Beavers
Executive Director, Network Integration and Services
Jeff Beavers
Executive Director, Network Integration and Services
National Electrical Contractors Association
|
2:00 pm - 2:40 pm
PalmWood Event & Conference Center
|
Low Voltage Architecture 101: The Foundation of Modern Building Power Systems
With the evolution of PoE and low-voltage devices, various technology variations are now for delivering Class 2 and 4 power for commercial building applications. In this session, we’ll focus on various methods for designing, configuring and implementing these systems in commercial buildings. We’ll explore the different architectural approaches and the pros and cons of each approach. The discussion will address key design considerations like standards, interoperability, device drivers, cabling and connectors. Attendees will gain practical insights into the trade-offs between different architectures, the challenges of retrofitting versus new construction, and strategies for future-proofing low-voltage systems to support evolving technologies and building needs.
Moderator:
Jim Young
Realcomm
Jim Young
Co-Founder & CEO
Founder of Realcomm Conference Group, an education organization that produces Realcomm, IBcon and CoRE Tech, the world's leading conferences on techno
Jim Young
Co-Founder & CEO
Realcomm
Founder of Realcomm Conference Group, an education organization that produces Realcomm, IBcon and CoRE Tech, the world's leading conferences on technology, automated business solutions, intelligent buildings and energy efficiency for the commercial and corporate real estate industry. As CEO, Jim interacts with the largest companies globally pertaining to some of the most advanced and progressive next generation real estate projects under development.
Speakers:
Jim Baldwin
Domatic
Jim Baldwin
CEO
Domatic
Karl Jonsson
Luum.io
Karl Jonsson
Chief Strategy Officer
Karl Jonsson
Chief Strategy Officer
Luum.io
Bart Kelly
Halo Hybrid Solutions
Bart Kelly
Corporate Sales Manager
With a career spanning over 12 years, Bart has built a reputation for utilizing innovative technology to fulfill the dreams of home builders and buyer
Bart Kelly
Corporate Sales Manager
Halo Hybrid Solutions
With a career spanning over 12 years, Bart has built a reputation for utilizing innovative technology to fulfill the dreams of home builders and buyers. As the Corporate Sales Manager at LumenCache, he has spearheaded initiatives to make homes and buildings smart from the start. Bart also serves as the Outside Sales Manager for SunFarm Energy, Northwest Florida's Certified Tesla Solar Roof Installation partner. He is dedicated to fundamentally changing people’s relationship to energy, working hard to create a more affordable, intelligent, and sustainable built environment.
Andrew Lu
Cisco
Andrew Lu
Director of Product Management
Andrew Lu serves as Director of Product Management in the Engineering Sustainability Office (ESO) at Cisco. He passionately nurtures and promotes DC-m
Andrew Lu
Director of Product Management
Cisco
Andrew Lu serves as Director of Product Management in the Engineering Sustainability Office (ESO) at Cisco. He passionately nurtures and promotes DC-microgrid solutions like Fault Managed Power (FMP) and Power over Ethernet(PoE) for sustainable building infrastructure. Prior to Cisco, Andrew’s career spanned multiple sectors including industrial automation, intelligent building system integration, and home automation. Andrew represents Cisco as a co-founder and the President of the FMP Alliance.
|
2:40 pm - 3:20 pm
PalmWood Event & Conference Center
|
From Source to Sink: The DC-Powered Building
In a world where DC-powered devices dominate – from laptops, phones, and IoT devices to LED lighting, motors, and HVAC systems – most buildings still rely on AC power distribution. This session explores the disconnect between how we generate and use power versus how we distribute it within buildings. With the rise of renewable energy sources that naturally produce DC electricity, the inefficiencies of converting DC to AC and back are becoming increasingly apparent. Transitioning to a DC-powered infrastructure not only reduces energy losses but also enhances flexibility in building design. This shift supports agile, adaptable office environments, streamlining installation, and minimizing disruptions when reconfiguring spaces. Discover how a holistic DC power strategy from source to sink can significantly lower costs, reduce environmental impact, and set new standards in safe, energy-efficient building design.
Speaker:
Robert Kroon
August Berres
Robert Kroon
Founder and CEO
Bob Kroon is the CEO and Founder of August Berres. August Berres provides applications for DC-powered workplaces, eliminating the need to install 120V
Robert Kroon
Founder and CEO
August Berres
Bob Kroon is the CEO and Founder of August Berres. August Berres provides applications for DC-powered workplaces, eliminating the need to install 120V power at every workstation.
Bob has a forty-year history in electro-mechanical durable goods and the furniture industry. His career began as an Industrial Engineer for Maytag. His furniture background began in manufacturing engineering with The Hon Company in 1979. In the next 18 years, he served in assignments in product engineering and general management. His subsequent experience includes contract manufacturing for low-volume, high-value, high-complexity electronic enclosures.
|
3:20 pm - 3:40 pm
PalmWood Event & Conference Center
|
Networking Break
|
3:40 pm - 4:15 pm
PalmWood Event & Conference Center
|
Advancing the Future: Fault-Managed Power (FMP) and its Influence on the Evolution of Smart Buildings
In an increasingly interconnected world, the convergence of power and technology is reshaping the landscape of modern construction. As highlighted in previous sessions, the building industry is at a critical juncture where traditional AC infrastructure is being reimagined by innovative DC power distribution systems. Beyond the benefits discussed earlier, DC power can also safely transfer high loads across substantial distances – even in the presence of faults eliminating fire and shock hazards. This session explores the crucial impact of fault-managed power (FMP) systems, both Advanced Class 2 and Class 4 power distribution, on the future of smart buildings. Join us to explore how the integration of architecture, technology, and energy is shaping the evolution of urban environments, leading to a smarter, more sustainable future.
Moderator:
Bob Voss
Panduit
Bob Voss
Distinguished Engineer
Bob Voss is a Distinguished Engineer in Panduit Corporate Research and Development, driving technological innovation. Focused on industrial and buildi
Bob Voss
Distinguished Engineer
Panduit
Bob Voss is a Distinguished Engineer in Panduit Corporate Research and Development, driving technological innovation. Focused on industrial and building automation, his expertise spans shepherding of groundbreaking technologies such as Single Pair Ethernet and Fault Managed Power. Bob plays a key role in setting global engineering standards in IEEE, TIA, NEMA, ODVA, and NFPA, as well as nurturing strategic technology partnerships. Bob is the chairman and one of the founders of the FMP Alliance.
Speakers:
Ken Hydzik
Voltserver
Ken Hydzik
VP of Sales
Voltserver
Andrew Lu
Cisco
Andrew Lu
Director of Product Management
Andrew Lu serves as Director of Product Management in the Engineering Sustainability Office (ESO) at Cisco. He passionately nurtures and promotes DC-m
Andrew Lu
Director of Product Management
Cisco
Andrew Lu serves as Director of Product Management in the Engineering Sustainability Office (ESO) at Cisco. He passionately nurtures and promotes DC-microgrid solutions like Fault Managed Power (FMP) and Power over Ethernet(PoE) for sustainable building infrastructure. Prior to Cisco, Andrew’s career spanned multiple sectors including industrial automation, intelligent building system integration, and home automation. Andrew represents Cisco as a co-founder and the President of the FMP Alliance.
|
4:15 pm - 4:35 pm
PalmWood Event & Conference Center
|
The Power of PoE: A Look at the Past, Present, and Future
Power over Ethernet (PoE) has been around for a few decades. Eliminating the need for separate power and data cables, early PoE applications were used to power devices in hard-to-reach places. Introduced in 2003, the initial PoE standard allowed for the delivery of up to 15.4 watts of power per port. Since then, the technology has evolved with newer standards delivering up to 60 or even 100 watts of power, exhibiting a transformative potential for building owners, developers, and facility managers seeking to enhance the performance, sustainability, and adaptability of their spaces. Increasingly used for IoT devices, PoE now plays an essential role in powering sensors and smart lighting systems, significantly shaping the modern smart building ecosystem. This session will review the history of PoE, unpack the complexities of the technology, and provide a glimpse into its future.
Speakers:
Luis Suau
Sinclair Digital
Luis Suau
Chief Business Officer
Luis Suau is the Chief Business Officer at Sinclair Digital. With 40 years of overall IT experience; ,26 of them at Cisco, Luis previously worked as a
Luis Suau
Chief Business Officer
Sinclair Digital
Luis Suau is the Chief Business Officer at Sinclair Digital. With 40 years of overall IT experience; ,26 of them at Cisco, Luis previously worked as a Technical Leader in Cisco's IOT Business Unit and was a key member in developing Cisco's Digital Ceiling and Digital Building Solutions. Luis helped to engineer the highly innovative Marriott Sinclair Hotel which leverages the use of Lithium-Ion Energy Storage, Digital Electricity, POE and USB-C. After its completion in 2020, Luis left Cisco to pursue his passion of expanding the scope of Digital Building Systems with a goal of developing a Building as a DC Microgrid.
Hannah Walker
Sinclair Digital
Hannah Walker
COO
Hannah Walker is the Chief Operating Officer of Sinclair Digital Services, a low
voltage design & consulting company developing Digital DC-Microgrid
Hannah Walker
COO
Sinclair Digital
Hannah Walker is the Chief Operating Officer of Sinclair Digital Services, a low
voltage design & consulting company developing Digital DC-Microgrid Buildings. She joined Sinclair Group to initially help design and implement smart buildings technologies at Sinclair Hotel which was completed in January of 2020 as the most diverse PoE powered, DC microgrid building in the world.
|
4:35 pm - 4:50 pm
PalmWood Event & Conference Center
|
Executive Briefing | The Sinclair: Experience the World's First All-Digital Hotel
The Sinclair Hotel in Fort Worth, Texas, has made history by becoming the world’s first all-digital hotel. A landmark of innovation and luxury, the hotel seamlessly integrates historic charm with modern technology by using DC Power and PoE technology to power amenities like lights, mini fridges, and window shades, enhancing the guest experience while promoting sustainability. By incorporating pioneering technologies like Fault Managed Power (FMP) and a battery Energy Storage System (ESS) for UL 924 emergency egress power, the Sinclair Hotel not only provides a luxurious and comfortable stay but also leads the way in energy efficiency and safety standards within the hospitality industry, setting a new standard with reduced risks, costs, and environmental impact. Join us for an executive briefing followed by a hosted tour of the Sinclair Hotel.
Speaker:
Farukh Aslam
Sinclair Holdings
Farukh Aslam
CEO & President
Farukh Aslam is the Chief Executive Officer of Sinclair Digital (SD) a low voltage design and consulting company developing Digital DC-Microgrid Build
Farukh Aslam
CEO & President
Sinclair Holdings
Farukh Aslam is the Chief Executive Officer of Sinclair Digital (SD) a low voltage design and consulting company developing Digital DC-Microgrid Buildings. In 2019, Aslam successfully developed the Sinclair Marriott Autograph Hotel which is widely considered the most diverse PoE and DC Microgrid project in North America. From the completion of the Sinclair Hotel, Aslam created SD to bring expertise of the sustainability and cost benefits of a DC building infrastructure to the marketplace. Since its inception SD has been involved in several design build projects and continues to evolve DC infrastructure in buildings.
|
4:50 pm - 6:00 pm
The Sinclair Hotel
|
Hosted Tour: The Sinclair Hotel
The Sinclair Hotel in Fort Worth, Texas, has made history by becoming the world’s first all-digital hotel. A landmark of innovation and luxury, the hotel seamlessly integrates historic charm with modern technology by  using DC Power and PoE technology to power amenities like lights, mini fridges, and window shades, enhancing the guest experience while promoting sustainability.
Tour attendees will see first-hand the use of FMP deployed in the entire building and connected to over 300 Cisco POE 8 port switches that in turn power all of the lights, motorized shades, minibars, Smart Mirrors etc. They will also see a large ESS to act as a backup power in this 17-story building.
Speaker:
Farukh Aslam
Sinclair Holdings
Farukh Aslam
CEO & President
Farukh Aslam is the Chief Executive Officer of Sinclair Digital (SD) a low voltage design and consulting company developing Digital DC-Microgrid Build
Farukh Aslam
CEO & President
Sinclair Holdings
Farukh Aslam is the Chief Executive Officer of Sinclair Digital (SD) a low voltage design and consulting company developing Digital DC-Microgrid Buildings. In 2019, Aslam successfully developed the Sinclair Marriott Autograph Hotel which is widely considered the most diverse PoE and DC Microgrid project in North America. From the completion of the Sinclair Hotel, Aslam created SD to bring expertise of the sustainability and cost benefits of a DC building infrastructure to the marketplace. Since its inception SD has been involved in several design build projects and continues to evolve DC infrastructure in buildings.
|
6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Rooftop Bar at The Sinclair Hotel
|
Networking & Cocktail Reception
Immediately following the tour, mix and mingle over artfully crafted small plates and cocktails at The Sinclair's 17th floor Rooftop Bar, offering panoramic views of the Fort Worth cityscape.
|
