October 15, 2025 SC News Infrastructure Team Planning Committee Share this page: Twitter Facebook LinkedIn Email By Ashley Barker When you walk into SC25, you’ll notice the Keynote stage, the massive exhibit hall, the networking spaces, the digital art, the food, the buzz. What you might not notice is the finely tuned orchestra of people, plans, and even physical keys that makes it all run like clockwork. Infrastructure at SC25 is one of those things you rarely think about—until something goes wrong. But thanks to months (and in some cases years) of planning, you probably won’t ever notice the hundreds of little details being handled behind the scenes. That’s the magic. We asked some of the folks who have kept SC25 humming to share a glimpse into their world. Here’s what they said. Security Six People, Thousands of Attendees The Security Committee is small but mighty with just six core members, supported by contracted professionals and venue staff. You’re most likely to see them at big events like the Grand Opening Gala or the Technical Program Reception, making sure lines move quickly and everyone gets inside smoothly. Behind the scenes, their biggest goal is simple: making sure you get through checkpoints fast enough that you barely notice they’re there. Fun Fact America’s Center still uses real keys (yes, the metal kind). So the Security team will literally be carrying around jingling rings of keys like old-school janitors to keep everything safe. Signage Reading the signs Imagine a city dropped into a convention center, then imagine you have to put up hundreds of signs so that thousands of people don’t get lost. That’s the job of the Signage Committee. As Edgar A. Leon, the first-time Signage Chair, put it: “There are signs everywhere—so many that even the signs need signs to point to the other signs.” It’s a job with ups and downs—literally! It really does depend on whether the arrow points ↑ or ↓. Committee Office Snacks, Printing, & Vibes The Committee Office is SC’s “office away from the office.” It’s where committee members can use the printer, ask questions, recharge (themselves or their laptops), and grab a coffee. It’s practical, yes, but also a hub of warmth, humor, and caffeine-fueled problem solving. Every year I try to have a little whimsical costume so people can easily spot me in the Committee Office. Last year it was red feathers for the SC24 phoenix. This year I’m bringing purple and blue HPC Ignites vibes. Josh Cunningham, SC25 Committee Office Chair Space Planning Two Years in the Making By the time you walk into a BoF session, a technical paper presentation, or a demo, you’re stepping into a room that’s been meticulously planned nearly two years in advance. Space planning teams cycle through countless layouts to make sure: Flows feel intuitive Rooms don’t reset constantly Sight lines actually work There are places to plug in (and sit down!) Wayfinding feels clear and effortless It’s the invisible choreography that ensures you can dash from a paper to a demo to a reception without missing a beat. The Miracle of the Invisible THE HAUL Eight 53’ Trucks Delivered225,000 Lbs of Gear THE POWER 2,200+ Amps (2,640 kVA)638,000 kWh UsedEquals 60W Bulb for 1,213 Years The People 60+ Crew Members2,656 Labor Hours The Energy Human Effort = 1,147 MJEquals 105,265 AA Batteries When it comes down to it, the real story of SC infrastructure is this: for one week every year, a city is built from scratch. Power, ethernet, video displays, radios, signs, keys, Wi-Fi, break-time refreshments, seating … all of it has to appear in days, run flawlessly for a week, then disappear again as if it never existed. If your demo streams, your BoF mics work, you have seats to sit in, and your laptop just connects—that’s months of planning and a 24/7 crew making it feel effortless. Ashley Barker, SC25 Infrastructure Chair So while you’re at SC25 soaking in the Keynote, networking with peers, or getting inspired by the Art of HPC, take a moment to notice the unnoticed. Because the true infrastructure of SC is built not just of cables and signs, but of people making the impossible look easy. To the Infrastructure Committees of SC25: Thank you for building the city we get to call home for one unforgettable week.
