China Data Center Expo
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About this event
China Data Center Expo (CDCE 2026) — Event Description
The International Data Center & Cloud Computing Industry Expo 2026, commonly referenced as CDCE 2026, is scheduled for 3 - 5 December 2026 in Shanghai, P.R. China. The exhibition is held at the Shanghai New International Expo Center (SNIEC). The event positions itself as a multi-topic, industry-wide platform for the data center and cloud computing ecosystem, with emphasis on intelligent computing infrastructure and the operational and energy requirements that support large-scale AI deployment.
Event positioning & why it matters
CDCE 2026 is presented as an upgraded, “linked exhibitions” platform intended to connect key segments of the data center and intelligent computing industry chain. The show highlights themes such as AI-enabled intelligent computing, computing-electricity synergy, green transformation, high-density computing, and global expansion without cross-border relocation. The event narrative emphasizes technical exchange and business cooperation across a broad set of infrastructure and enabling technologies, aiming to support both domestic modernization and overseas market expansion strategies.
What’s happening at CDCE 2026 (focus areas)
The official show information describes CDCE 2026 as concentrating on several core technical and operational directions that are directly relevant to modern data center buildouts and upgrades. Key focus areas include:
- Intelligent computing infrastructure for the digital economy and AI-driven workloads
- Liquid cooling solutions to support high-density computing and improved thermal management
- Computing-electricity synergy, covering infrastructure approaches that align compute demand with energy supply
- Intelligent operation and maintenance (O&M), supporting lifecycle reliability, performance optimization, and efficiency
- Integrated source-grid-load-storage systems, reflecting broader energy-system integration requirements
- Overseas market expansion using a “global expansion without cross-border relocation” model
Related concurrent exhibitions
CDCE 2026 is organized alongside concurrent industry events, broadening the audience and solution set beyond data center and cloud alone. The official content states that the following exhibitions are held concurrently:
- The 33rd International Exhibition on Electric Power Equipment and Technology
- Shanghai International Energy Storage Technology Application Expo 2026 and Hydrogen Energy Expo
Exhibitors, visitors, and overall scale
According to the official event content, CDCE 2026 is expected to deliver substantial industry scale:
- 200+ exhibitors
- 22,000 visitors
- 20,000 sq.m. exhibition space
- 15 forums
The show also promotes an extensive forum program experience. Visitors are guided through organized content, with the event describing 30+ themed forums and customized tour routes designed to support efficient visits.
Industries and buyer relevance (who the event is for)
CDCE 2026 is structured for participants across the intelligent computing, data center, and cloud ecosystem—especially stakeholders who must plan, build, supply, integrate, operate, and optimize data center infrastructure for modern AI and cloud workloads. The show’s official messaging strongly implies an audience that includes technology providers, infrastructure suppliers, engineering and integration teams, energy and thermal management solution vendors, and organizations involved in computing infrastructure modernization.
The event’s explicit technical themes—such as liquid cooling, computing-electricity synergy, intelligent O&M, and integrated energy systems— make it highly relevant for decision-makers who need to evaluate next-generation infrastructure requirements for high-density computing growth and green energy targets.
Key industry trends highlighted by the event
The official website includes a 2026 trend framing for the computing power industry. It highlights three trends:
- Heterogeneous computing that integrates CPUs, GPUs, and specialized chips to improve efficiency
- Green computing that leverages liquid cooling and renewable energy
- Networked computing supported by projects such as “East Data West Computing” to dynamically allocate resources for AI and digital transformation needs
Event venue and location details
Venue: Shanghai New International Expo Center (SNIEC)
City/Country: Shanghai, P.R. China
Dates: 3 - 5 December 2026
Summary
CDCE 2026 is a major, multi-faceted trade and technology expo focused on the data center and cloud computing ecosystem, with strong integration to power, energy storage, and hydrogen energy concurrent themes. Hosted in Shanghai at SNIEC from 3 to 5 December 2026, it emphasizes intelligent computing infrastructure, liquid cooling, computing-electricity synergy, intelligent operation and maintenance, integrated energy systems, and overseas expansion strategy. With 200+ exhibitors, 22,000 visitors, 20,000 sq.m. of space, and a forum program totaling 15 official forums plus an expanded set of themed forum experiences, CDCE 2026 is designed to serve as a concentrated marketplace and technical exchange venue for next-generation infrastructure and cloud-enabled AI operations.
Data sheet
| Event Name | China Data Center Expo (CDCE 2026) |
| Event Date | 3–5 December 2026 |
| Event Status | Upcoming |
| Venue | Shanghai New International Expo Center (SNIEC) |
| City | Shanghai |
| State / Region | Shanghai Municipality |
| Country | China |
| Organizer | Not clearly stated in the provided official website text |
| Official Event Website | cdc-expo.com |
| Event Type | Trade show / industry expo / forums / buyer matching event |
| Primary Category | IT & Technology |
| Secondary Applicable Categories | Power & Energy; Industrial Engineering; Telecommunication |
| Audience Reach | National with significant international supplier interest |
| Estimated Attendance / Expected Footfall | 22,000 visitors; 200+ exhibitors (as stated on the official website) |
| Attendance Data Reliability | Moderate to high for stated promotional figures; attendance figure independently not verified |
| Main Purpose of Event | To connect the data center and cloud computing ecosystem around intelligent computing infrastructure, liquid cooling, AI/cloud, green power, energy storage, cybersecurity, and supply-chain collaboration. |
China Data Center Expo (CDCE 2026) is an industry trade show focused on the data center and cloud computing ecosystem, with emphasis on AI, cloud services, liquid cooling, IDC and supercomputing, cybersecurity, intelligent computing infrastructure, and green transformation. The official site positions the event as a platform for technical exchange, product demonstration, and precise supply-demand matching across the computing power industry chain.
The event matters because it sits at the intersection of digital infrastructure, energy systems, and enterprise-scale computing demand. It attracts buyers, integrators, operators, technology decision-makers, and solution providers seeking infrastructure modernization, energy efficiency, and scalable compute capabilities. The concurrent-event structure and forum program also make it relevant for procurement, partnership development, and market expansion in China’s fast-evolving digital economy.
| Buyer / Attendee Segment | Typical Organizations | Buying Role or Influence | Relevance to Exhibitors / Suppliers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Data center operators | Colocation providers, hyperscale operators, enterprise data center teams | Infrastructure buying, modernization, expansion, O&M decisions | Core audience for racks, power, cooling, monitoring, and operations solutions |
| Cloud and platform technology teams | Cloud service providers, platform engineering groups, AI infrastructure teams | Architecture and scale decisions for compute and storage | Relevant for servers, networking, storage, observability, and software platforms |
| IT procurement and sourcing teams | Enterprises, cloud operators, telecom operators, public sector IT units | Vendor selection, contract negotiation, sourcing strategy | High-value audience for direct B2B lead generation and RFQ opportunities |
| Facilities and critical power leaders | Data centers, industrial campuses, telecom facilities, smart building operators | Power resilience, maintenance, cooling, and uptime responsibility | Important for UPS, switchgear, generators, cooling, and automation suppliers |
| Energy and sustainability teams | Utilities, renewable power developers, energy managers, ESG teams | Power procurement, efficiency, carbon reduction, and compliance | Strong fit for green power, storage, cooling efficiency, and emissions solutions |
| Telecom and network infrastructure teams | Carriers, backbone providers, network integrators | Network design, interconnect, and bandwidth buying influence | Relevant for fiber, switching, routing, and network security vendors |
| System integrators and OEM partners | Infrastructure integrators, cloud MSPs, engineering firms | Channel purchasing, delivery, design and implementation | Useful for partner recruitment and indirect sales channels |
| Government and public-sector digital teams | Municipal IT, state-owned enterprise IT, public digital infrastructure teams | Policy-aligned technology buying and modernization programs | Relevant where public-sector compute, security, and infrastructure projects are discussed |
| Consultants and analysts | Data center advisors, engineering consultants, market analysts | Influence specifications, vendor shortlists, and strategy | Useful for thought leadership, referral, and project intelligence |
| Geographic Area | Likely Attendee Origin | Buyer Concentration | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Host city: Shanghai | Very high | High | Major tech, finance, telecom, logistics, and enterprise operations base |
| Host region: East China | Very high | High | Strong concentration of industrial, technology, and cloud infrastructure buyers |
| Nearby business hubs: Suzhou, Hangzhou, Nanjing, Ningbo | High | High | Easy regional access for operators, manufacturing, and digital infrastructure teams |
| National mainland China market | High | High | Relevant to national-level operators, integrators, and enterprise IT buyers |
| International attendance | Moderate | Medium | Likely interest from Asia-Pacific suppliers, vendors, and technology partners |
| Trade corridor relevance | High | High | Connects data center equipment, power, thermal management, and cloud infrastructure ecosystems |
| Reach Level | Assessment | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Global | Primary classification | The event is held in Shanghai and explicitly positions itself around digital economy, AI, cloud, and overseas expansion topics with cross-border supplier interest. |
| Buyer Company / Organization | Buyer Type | Why It Is Relevant | Website | Best Job Titles to Target | Evidence Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| China Telecom | Telecom / infrastructure buyer | Telecom operators are major data center and network infrastructure buyers. | chinatelecom.com.cn | Procurement Director, DC Infrastructure Manager, Network Director | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| China Mobile | Telecom / cloud infrastructure buyer | Large-scale compute, cloud, and data center demand makes this a core target. | chinamobile.com | IT Director, Data Center Manager, Sourcing Manager | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| China Unicom | Telecom / digital infrastructure buyer | Potential buyer for colocation, cloud, and infrastructure modernization. | chinaunicom.com | Procurement Manager, Network Planning Director, Data Center Operations Head | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| Alibaba Cloud | Cloud provider / hyperscale infrastructure buyer | Cloud platform teams buy servers, networking, cooling, and power systems. | alibabacloud.com | Infrastructure Procurement, Cloud Operations, Technical Program Manager | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| Tencent Cloud | Cloud / AI infrastructure buyer | Relevant for AI infrastructure, cloud expansion, and resilient data center operations. | cloud.tencent.com | Data Center Operations, Procurement Lead, Infrastructure Architect | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| Baidu AI Cloud | AI / cloud infrastructure buyer | The official event emphasizes AI and intelligent computing infrastructure. | cloud.baidu.com | AI Infrastructure Director, Cloud Procurement Manager, Platform Engineering Lead | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| Equinix | Colocation / data center operator | Global data center operator with strong fit for cooling, power, and facility solutions. | equinix.com | Regional Operations Director, Facility Manager, Procurement Lead | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| Digital Realty | Colocation / infrastructure operator | Key buyer for power, thermal management, monitoring, and site services. | digitalrealty.com | Data Center Director, Procurement Director, Facilities Operations Lead | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| Keppel Data Centres | Data center developer / operator | Developer-operator model makes it relevant for build, fit-out, and O&M suppliers. | keppeldatahub.com | Project Director, Engineering Director, Strategic Sourcing | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| Aruba Cloud | Cloud / hosting buyer | Relevant for hybrid cloud, infrastructure, and efficient cooling/power solutions. | arubacloud.com | Infrastructure Manager, Procurement, CTO office | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| China State Grid | Power / utility buyer | Critical for the event’s computing-electricity synergy and energy-related forums. | sgcc.com.cn | Energy Procurement, Power Systems Director, Smart Grid Program Manager | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| Alibaba Group | Enterprise technology buyer | Large digital infrastructure, cloud, and data operations footprint. | alibabagroup.com | IT Procurement, Data Center Program Manager, Operations Director | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| ByteDance | Digital platform / AI infrastructure buyer | High-scale compute buyer relevant to AI, cloud, and networking suppliers. | bytedance.com | Infrastructure Procurement, AI Platform Lead, Data Center Operations | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| Huawei Cloud | Cloud / enterprise infrastructure buyer | Potential buyer and ecosystem partner for power-efficient infrastructure. | huaweicloud.com | Procurement Manager, Infrastructure Engineering Director, CTO office | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| Priority | Job Title / Function | Department | Seniority Level | Why This Role Matters |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chief Procurement Officer / Head of Procurement | Procurement | Executive | Owns buying strategy and vendor selection for infrastructure and services. |
| 2 | Director of Data Center Operations | Operations | Director | Influences facility, uptime, and modernization decisions. |
| 3 | Data Center Facilities Manager | Facilities | Manager | Evaluates cooling, power, monitoring, and service contracts. |
| 4 | Strategic Sourcing Manager | Procurement / Supply Chain | Manager | Manages supplier evaluation, tendering, and contract awards. |
| 5 | CTO / VP Engineering | Technology | Executive / VP | Sets architecture direction for AI, cloud, and infrastructure platforms. |
| 6 | Infrastructure Architect | IT / Engineering | Senior IC / Manager | Defines technical specs for compute, storage, and networking. |
| 7 | Energy Procurement Manager | Energy / Sustainability | Manager | Relevant to power sourcing, renewables, and efficiency initiatives. |
| 8 | Network Director | Network / IT | Director | Key for interconnect, backbone, latency, and resilience decisions. |
| 9 | Program Manager, AI Infrastructure | Technology Programs | Manager | Coordinates AI compute deployment and infrastructure scaling. |
| 10 | Business Development Director | Partnerships / Commercial | Director | Useful for channel, ecosystem, and partner-sourced opportunities. |
| Priority | Apollo Industry | Why It Fits the Event | Best Buyer Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Information Technology & Services | Core ecosystem for cloud, data center, and digital infrastructure buying. | IT leaders, infrastructure teams, procurement |
| 2 | Computer Software | Relevant for monitoring, orchestration, AI, and management platforms. | Product, engineering, platform, DevOps |
| 3 | Telecommunications | Carrier and network backbone buyers are highly relevant. | Network, procurement, operations |
| 4 | Computer Hardware | Server, storage, and edge infrastructure demand is central to the show. | Hardware sourcing, technical buyers |
| 5 | Electrical/Electronic Manufacturing | Power distribution, switchgear, controls, and electrical systems are core needs. | Engineering, sourcing, operations |
| 6 | Facilities Services | Critical for maintenance, site operations, and uptime management. | Facilities directors, ops leads |
| 7 | Renewables & Environment | Green power and sustainability are explicit themes in the event content. | ESG, energy procurement, decarbonization |
| 8 | Logistics & Supply Chain | Useful for procurement workflows, equipment movement, and supplier planning. | Supply chain, sourcing, planning |
| 9 | Industrial Automation | Automation and intelligent O&M are key topics in modern data centers. | Operations technology buyers |
| 10 | Government Administration | Public-sector digital infrastructure and policy-aligned procurement can be relevant. | Government IT, public procurement |
| Metric | Figure | Status | Source / Basis | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Estimated total footfall | 22,000 visitors | Confirmed promotional figure | Official website homepage | Promotional figure; not independently audited in the provided material |
| Exhibitor count | 200+ | Confirmed promotional figure | Official website homepage | Useful for estimating booth traffic and vendor density |
| Forum count | 15 forums | Confirmed promotional figure | Official website homepage | Signals depth of educational and thought-leadership content |
| Buyer count | Not publicly confirmed | Unavailable | Official website text does not publish a buyer-only figure | Could be inferred only from registration data if released later |
| Speaker count | Not publicly confirmed | Unavailable | Agenda details not provided in the supplied text | Additional verification required from agenda pages |
| Historical attendance | Not fully verified here | Historical / prior-year evidence | Official site references 2025 event review, but no numeric review data is included in the provided text | Use official review page for additional validation if needed |
| Focus Area | Typical Buyer Need | Buyer Engagement Opportunity | Relevant Supplier Offering |
|---|---|---|---|
| AI infrastructure | High-density compute, accelerated workloads, scalable architecture | Target architects and platform leaders with performance and scaling messaging | AI servers, GPU infrastructure, orchestration software |
| Liquid cooling | Thermal management for dense rack deployments | Demonstrate lower energy use and higher density support | Direct-to-chip cooling, immersion cooling, heat exchangers |
| Computing-electricity synergy | Power-aware planning and resilience | Pitch cross-functional value to operations and energy teams | UPS, switchgear, power management, energy analytics |
| Cybersecurity | Protect infrastructure, workloads, and customer data | Engage IT and security teams with risk-reduction positioning | Security platforms, monitoring, identity, SOC services |
| Cloud services | Hybrid and scalable cloud delivery | Prospect for migration, optimization, and managed services | Cloud platforms, MSP services, migration tools |
| Green power and sustainability | Lower carbon, renewable sourcing, efficiency gains | Lead with ESG, cost savings, and compliance outcomes | Renewables, PPA advisory, carbon reporting, storage systems |
| Intelligent operations | Automation, predictive maintenance, uptime assurance | Use operational efficiency and reliability as the hook | DCIM, AIOps, monitoring, asset management |
| Factor | Assessment | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Buyer relevance | Very High | The event directly serves data center, cloud, AI, power, and infrastructure buyers. |
| Decision-maker availability | High | Procurement, operations, engineering, and executive stakeholders are likely attendees. |
| Data collection potential | High | Exhibitors, forums, and visitor registration typically support structured lead capture. |
| Apollo targeting potential | Very High | Clear ICPs across telecom, cloud, data center, utilities, and enterprise IT. |
| Geographic targeting potential | High | Strong concentration in Shanghai, East China, and national digital infrastructure hubs. |
| Best outreach approach | High-value technical and procurement messaging | Use a mix of infrastructure outcomes, efficiency savings, and reliability proof points. |
| Overall lead quality | Very High | Strong alignment with enterprise infrastructure buying and supplier-partner discovery. |
| Best use case | B2B attendee list building and account-based outreach | Well suited for vendor targeting, lead generation, partner discovery, and event intelligence. |
| Limitations / risks | Buyer list not publicly published in the provided text | Confirmed attendance by company is not available from the supplied source text alone. |
| Filter Type | Recommended Filters | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Apollo industries | Information Technology & Services, Telecommunications, Computer Software, Computer Hardware, Electrical/Electronic Manufacturing, Facilities Services, Renewables & Environment, Logistics & Supply Chain, Industrial Automation, Government Administration | Capture the full buyer ecosystem for data center and cloud infrastructure. |
| Departments | Procurement, IT, Engineering, Operations, Facilities, Energy/Sustainability, Strategy | Prioritize direct buying and technical decision-making functions. |
| Seniority | Manager, Director, VP, CXO, Head, Principal | Focus on decision-makers and budget owners. |
| Job titles | Chief Procurement Officer, Director of Procurement, Strategic Sourcing Manager, Data Center Director, Facilities Director, Infrastructure Architect, Network Director, CTO, VP Engineering, Energy Procurement Manager | Target both commercial and technical buyers. |
| Geography | China; Shanghai Municipality; East China; APAC | Align outreach with likely attendee origin and supplier market. |
| Employee size | 201–500, 501–1,000, 1,001–5,000, 5,001–10,000, 10,000+ | Prioritize large operators and infrastructure-intensive organizations. |
| Keywords | data center, colocation, cloud computing, liquid cooling, AI infrastructure, UPS, switchgear, O&M, DCIM, energy storage, smart grid | Improve relevance for event-aligned account discovery. |
| Company type | Public company, enterprise, infrastructure operator, telecom operator, cloud provider, utility, government-affiliated organization | Focus on organizations with structured procurement and capital projects. |
| Source | Type | What It Verified | Reliability |
|---|---|---|---|
| CDCE Official Website | Official organizer / event website | Event name, dates, venue, city, country, visitor and exhibitor figures, thematic focus, concurrent event structure | High |
| CDCE Home Page Metadata | Official website metadata/content | “Dec 3–5, Shanghai”; 200+ exhibitors; 22,000 visitors; 15 forums; conference positioning | High |
| Shanghai New International Expo Center | Venue website | Venue identity and location validation for SNIEC in Shanghai | High |
🎯 Selling to this event's audience? Get a free tailored buyer list
Tell us your work email and our AI instantly builds a buyer list matched to China Data Center Expo — the best‑fit companies to target, the exact decision‑maker job titles, and the industry filters that fit what you sell.