Today marks the first-ever National Data Centre Day (NDCD), a day dedicated to recognising the backbone of the UK’s digital economy. Data centres power the connected world we rely on every day, yet most of us barely notice them – which is one of the key reasons Spa created NDCD.

From a social media perspective, awareness days like this give us the perfect opportunity to cut through the noise and position large-scale digital industries in a more human, relatable way.

Why Awareness Days Work So Well on Social Media

Awareness days give us a reason to pause, engage and connect around a shared theme, opening space for conversations that might not happen otherwise.
On social media, awareness days are particularly powerful, as they:

• Create timeliness — people expect themed content on awareness days and are ready to engage with it.
• Make industries relatable — a hashtag or campaign can humanise even the most technical sectors.
• Encourage participation — awareness days invite people to share their own stories, experiences and perspectives.

NDCD is a great example of this in action: it takes a largely unseen sector and gives it a platform to tell its story in a way that resonates beyond its usual audience.

National Data Centre Day Through a Social Lens

NDCD marks the anniversary of when data centres were officially classified as Critical National Infrastructure (CNI) by the UK Government, showcasing the sector’s vital role in supporting the general public, the digital economy, and now the AI transformation we’re seeing across the country.

Data centres sit at the heart of the digital world we depend on, and social media could not exist without them. Every post, story, video we share is stored, processed and delivered through these platforms. They quietly keep the online world running smoothly, scale instantly when content goes viral and power the AI tools that create and consume content.

This year’s NDCD theme, #PoweringProgress couldn’t be more fitting. Social media is evolving faster than ever with new formats and algorithms, and data centres provide the foundation that makes this creativity and connection possible.

For me, that’s what NDCD is all about – a reminder of the people and technology working tirelessly to keep the digital world moving.

Final Thoughts

National Data Centre Day is bigger than the data centre industry alone. The role we play as PR and social media professionals making the invisible visible is just as important – as is turning complex or hidden industries into stories people can relate to and care about.

Behind every post, meme, and campaign lies a network of people, technology and infrastructure making it all possible. NDCD is a brilliant example of how an awareness day can shift perceptions, start conversations, and remind us that the digital world we take for granted doesn’t just happen, it’s powered by people everywhere

Find out more about National Data Centre Day here.