ISC has always been more than a trade show or technical conference. It is one of the few places where researchers, developers, infrastructure specialists, students, commercial organisations, and operational teams all gather in the same space to exchange ideas and experiences.
Some conversations lead to collaborations or new projects. Others simply introduce you to people and perspectives you might not otherwise encounter. That mix is part of what makes ISC valuable.
Throughout ISC26, the Alces Flight crew will support moderation activities, keynote participation, community discussions, and career-focused conversations. We will also be joining the Community Stage to discuss career networks, workforce development, and the role commercial organisations can play in creating more purposeful opportunities for the next generation entering HPC and AI.
Here’s a glimpse of what to expect.
Supporting New Voices
Conference session moderation is one of those roles that is often invisible when done well, but it plays an important part in shaping technical discussion. Strong moderators help speakers feel supported, encourage audience participation, and help create more engaging and accessible sessions.
This year, thanks to our workforce development partnership with Women in HPC, our ISC26 collaboration is focused on developing new voices in this space. We are pleased to have five new moderators and two facilitators join sessions covering research papers, vendor talks, keynotes, and community discussions throughout the conference.
We are grateful to coordinate opportunities like these to foster the technical communities of tomorrow and look forward to seeing these new faces on stage.
Beyond Visibility
We are also contributing to the Community Stage session:
“Show Up, Stand Out, Stick Around: Activate ISC’s Full Potential. From First Impression to Lasting Community.” The session, organised by Troy Patterson of BeeGFS, explores how organisations can move beyond short-term event visibility to focus on long-term community participation.
The organisations’ people tend to remember at ISC are not always the loudest. More often than not, they are the ones consistently contributing to the communities around them through:
- knowledge sharing,
- mentorship and early-career support,
- educational initiatives,
- technical collaboration,
- and creating opportunities for others to participate.
As HPC and AI continue evolving rapidly, these kinds of contributions matter more than ever.
The Value of Community
Some of the most valuable conversations at ISC happen outside formal sessions: quick introductions, shared technical challenges, unexpected collaborations, or simply meeting people who help you see the field differently. Every contribution helps move our ecosystem forward.
As our field continues to evolve rapidly, bringing new technologies, challenges, and ideas, creating meaningful pathways for future talent becomes increasingly important. Communities like this do not grow automatically. They rely on consistent participation, mentorship, visibility, and opportunities for growth.
For everyone attending ISC26 this year, we look forward to the conversations ahead. See you in Hamburg.