Parks Associates CONNECTIONS Conference

What is CONNECTIONS?

Parks Associates will host the 26th annual CONNECTIONS: The Premier Connected Home Conference online, as part of the virtual CONNECTIONS Community.

In the 20+ years that Parks Associates has hosted CONNECTIONS, the connected home has evolved from a high-end concept toward a mass-market opportunity with incredible revenue potential. Today several high-profile market disruptions are emerging as a result of broadband adoption, smartphone usage, and consumer expectations for connectivity solutions that provide a personalized experience.

Agenda

CONNECTIONS sessions offer a mix of market research, analysis, and industry insight. This approach is unique among conferences and necessary to capture the complexity and see the opportunities in these interconnected markets. Contact Parks Associates with questions.

All times are in Central Time Zone (US)

Parks Associates will continue to review speaker submissions throughout the year. Submit to speak for an upcoming session.

Virtual Sessions

Mar 2 2023  New Market Segments: Consumers and the Smart Home

Jul 20 2023  New Era of Home Services

Oct 5 2023  State of the Home Security Market

2023 In-person Conference | MAY 23-25, Omni Hotel, Frisco, Texas - colocated with Connected Health Summit

May 23  Pre-show Research Workshop: Modern Living

May 23  WELCOME TO CONNECTIONS

May 24  Modern Living: Technology

May 25  Market Expansion

May 23-25 | Omni Frisco Hotel

TUESDAY, MAY 23

Pre-show Research Workshop: Growing Demand for Home Technology

9:30 AM

Registration Open

10:00 AM

Welcome: State of the Connected Home

Parks Associates research team provides an update on market shifts in 2023, the adoption of connected devices, including home security, smart home, controls, health, and energy management devices. This opening presentation features research from the firm’s survey work of US internet households.

Jennifer Kent, Vice President, Research, Parks Associates

10:30 AM

Industry Roundtable - Beyond Security: Video Analytics Driving New Opportunities

AI and advanced video verification technologies are changing the landscape for video devices as it relates to safety, security, and health applications. The new capabilities create more context to understand scenarios and determine the best ways to respond. This session highlights the many new use cases and capabilities for video technologies in the home.

Peter Giacalone, President, Giacalone Associates

Geordie Hagerman, EVP Commercialization, Cognitive Systems

Sai Reddy, CEO, CamerEye

Andreas Rudyk, CEO, Smartfrog & Canary Group

Tyler Tribe, Chief Technology and Product Officer, Becklar

Moderator: Elizabeth Parks, President and CMO, Parks Associates

11:30 AM

Research Presentation - Multifamily and SMB: Growing Opportunities

New applications and services stemming from IoT platforms are enabling small-to-medium business (SMB) and MDU owners and managers to have greater insight into the metrics and real-time analytics of their properties. The integration of new tech also provides great value to the end user and enables monitoring across ecosystems in a business or MDU building.

Kristen Hanich, Director, Research, Parks Associates

Chris White, Director, Research, Parks Associates

12:00 PM

Lunch

1:00 PM

Research Presentation - Demand for Connected Health at Home

Consumers continue to adopt connected devices. Now, 51% of US households have at least one connected health device. There is growing familiarity and use of telehealth and virtual care as a result of the pandemic. In addition, remote patient monitoring solutions are creating new opportunities for more patient-centric care. This research presentation highlights consumer adoption of and interest in new health to home solutions.

Kristen Hanich, Director, Research, Parks Associates

Jennifer Kent, Vice President, Research, Parks Associates

1:30 PM

Serving Seniors: Technology-based Solutions

The growing senior population will rely on technology solutions to help with healthcare, communications, and living independently as long as possible. This session addresses the growing demand for technology solutions in the home to help caregivers and seniors enhance safety and security, track important health metrics, and communicate with care providers.

Michael Crane, Vice President Global Business Development, Imprint Energy

Nathanial Findlay, CEO, Lifeguard Health

Lainie Muller, Director, Health & Wellness, Strategic Sales, Alarm.com

Gene Wang, Chairman, Care Daily

Moderator: Jennifer Kent, Vice President, Research, Parks Associates

2:15 PM

Research Presentation - Consumer Electronics – Bridging Entertainment and Controls

This session focuses on the latest trends and innovations in consumer electronics that are aimed at bridging the gap between entertainment and control. The session will address how entertainment companies are entering into the security market, bridging these ecosystems, including smart TV and service providers. The session highlights research around the integration of smart home devices with entertainment systems, the plateau of the smart speaker and the emergence of new immersive.

Ross Rubin, Sr. Contributing Analyst, Parks Associates

2:30 PM

Closing Comments

Parks Associates wraps up the research workshop with final comments before the opening session of CONNECTIONS and Connected Health Summit..

WELCOME TO CONNECTIONS

3:00 PM

Welcome and Opening Comments: State of the Connected Home

Parks Associates welcomes attendees and provides opening comments on the state of the market and future of technology for consumers at home and at work.

Elizabeth Parks, President and CMO, Parks Associates

3:15 PM

Most connected home product categories have been rising steadily in perceived value as prices fall and the adoption rates and installed base grow. Connectivity and integration of devices enable data to be shared and create new value through services delivered. This session highlights the role of broadband, hardware, software, and security solutions in building connected home services across energy, security, and controls. This session provides insights from key players in the smart home ecosystem.

Dean Avgiris, Executive Director - Xfinity Home, Comcast

Jim Conti, Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Nimbio

Bruce Mungiguerra, CEO, Riverbend Sandler Pools

Kian Saneii, Founder and CEO, Independa

Maggie Zieba, Vice President, Safety and Security Services, Resideo

Moderator: Elizabeth Parks, President and CMO, Parks Associates

4:15 PM

Keynote

David Puckett

Head of Global Devices Product Strategy

Comcast

Moderator: Jason Paris, Vice President, Business Development, Parks Associates

4:45 PM

Security system apps continue to be the most common tool for controlling multiple smart home products, but consumers also look to the CE and tech giants as a control point for devices in the home. This session highlights the key channels that have an opportunity to provide a whole-home experience, incorporating security, smart home, energy, and entertainment devices across a unified platform.

Shankar Achanta, VP, Products, Sunnova

Colin Cureton, Senior Director of IoT Home & Life Ecosystems & Marketing, Silicon Labs

Wade Gibson, Chief Sales & Customer Acquisition Officer, Brinks Home

Jeff Rogers, Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Sensory

Paul Williams, Chief Product Officer, Nice North America

Moderator: Chris White, Director, Research, Parks Associates

5:45 PM

Opening Reception

Parks Associates welcomes conference attendees for networking and refreshments following the day’s sessions.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 24

Modern Living: Technology

7:30 AM

Registration Open

7:30 AM

8:30 AM

Consumers are embracing connected devices at a slow and steady pace; in addition, broadband speeds are increasing as over-the-top (OTT) video streaming services are now a key way people watch live and entertainment video. This opening presentation from Parks Associates highlights the role of connectivity, platforms, connected devices .and new services in consumer and business environments.

Elizabeth Parks, President and CMO, Parks Associates

8:45 AM

The home broadband market is growing at the fastest rate in well over a decade, and Parks Associates forecasts that by the end of 2025, approximately 93% of US households will have a broadband subscription — either fixed or mobile. The home network is a critical point of visibility and control for all smart home, computing, entertainment, health, and other consumer electronic devices. The home network also has the potential to enable a new dimension of value by offering integrated applications. This session addresses the growth of value-added services and role of connectivity in the home.

Greg Baldauf, Director, Revenue Edge SmartLife Partnerships, Calix

Jerome Howard, Chief Operating Officer, Culture Wireless

Moderator: Elizabeth Parks, President and CMO, Parks Associates

9:45 AM

Keynote

Moderator: Ashton Gambrell, Strategic Account Manager, Events & Marketing Services, Parks Associates

10:15 AM

10:45 AM

Energy companies are highly motivated to invest in solutions that provide more energy efficiency and automation in homes. This becomes increasingly important with net zero-goals set by utilities. Smart home technology offers smart energy value for utilities. That can be realized via integration into a wide range of energy-efficiency programs that incentivize customers to save energy. This session provides insight into the future of energy and smart home technologies.

Jesse Fallick, VP of Product, Recurve

Advait Katarki, Manager, Product Line Sales & Business Development - EV Charging & Connected Solutions, Eaton

Rich Korthauer, SVP, Home and Distribution, Schneider Electric

Michael Lee, CEO, Octopus Energy

Paul Wezner, Chief Product and Customer Officer, Powerley

Moderator: Chris White, Director, Research, Parks Associates

11:45 AM

Tackling Pain Points: Returns, Support, and Privacy

The concerns over data invasion and security are not felt solely by prospective purchasers but carry over to current device users as well, impacting not only how they use their smart home devices but also their propensity to purchase additional smart home devices. In addition, the set up, ease of installation, warranty, and whether the product meets expectations and works are all critical to the experience. This session addresses how companies are working to ensure a “delightful” experience for their smart home customers.

Jennifer Doctor, Senior Director, Product Management, Johnson Controls

Benjamin Myers, National Sales Manager- RAS, Kwikset

Jonathan Storino, Vice President, Elexa Consumer Products

Stefan Witkamp, Founder, Commercial Director, Athom, maker of Homey

Moderator: John Barrett, Director of Consumer Analytics, Parks Associates

12:15 PM

Networking Lunch

1:15 PM

Research Presentation: Smart Appliances

Consumers still see smart appliances as an expensive purchase, with 46% reporting price as one of the major reasons for not purchasing a smart appliance. This research presentation highlights Parks Associates’ consumer and industry data on the smart appliance market, including builder perspectives.

Kenneth Wacks, President, Home, Building, and Utility Systems

Moderator: John Barrett, Director of Consumer Analytics, Parks Associates

1:30 PM

Insurance discounts are the #2 motivator to get greenfield buyers into smart home. Insurance policies give consumers peace of mind about their home, and smart home devices can extend the property owners’ ability to protect their home as an asset. This session addresses how smart security products and systems are working with insurance to save billions of dollars through proactive monitoring, detection, and deterrence for burglary, home, and fire damage.

Bob Marshall, Co-Founder & CEO, Whisker Labs

Geoff Martin, President & Co-Founder, vipHomeLink

Roel Peeters, Co-Founder and CEO, Roost

Brett Sobol, Head of Strategic Partnerships, Hippo Insurance

Moderator: Chris White, Director, Research, Parks Associates

2:15 PM

In the next phase of smart home development, reliable connectivity and basic interoperability between products are going to be standard. Manufacturers will leverage these benefits to differentiate their product lines, find competitive advantages, and create new value for the user. This session addresses how industry players will deliver on the smart home promise through partnerships, expanded distribution channels, and intelligence derived from sensors that will increasingly expand and personalize services, which will in turn generate recurring revenue.

Preston Grutzmacher, Residential Business Leader, SALTO Systems

Nathan Matney, Director, IoT Products, Keurig Dr. Pepper

Donald Young, EVP and Chief Operating Officer, ADT

Moderator: Elizabeth Parks, President and CMO, Parks Associates

2:45 PM

Networking Break

3:15 PM

When considering solutions, independent seniors are interested in solutions that can be added to their current home and are self-monitored. Preferences are evenly split between home-based systems and wearable systems. Seniors purchasing solutions for themselves look first to independent living solutions specialists, then to solutions providers, health insurers, and retailers. This session addresses tech solutions for seniors and caregivers, with a special look at purchase channels and growth in PERS.

Jean Anne Booth, CEO, UnaliWear

Kevin Jameson, Volunteer President | Founder, Dementia Society of America

Sumit Nagpal, Founder, Chairman, and CEO, Cherish Health

Laurie Orlov, Industry Analyst, Aging and Health Technology Watch

Brock Winzeler, President, Freeus, A Becklar Company

Moderator: Jennifer Kent, Vice President, Research, Parks Associates

4:15 PM

Keynote

Anthony Dohrmann

Founder and CEO

ECG - Electronic Caregiver

Moderator: Ashton Gambrell, Strategic Account Manager, Events & Marketing Services, Parks Associates

4:45 PM

Devices with video and audio data capture capacity are the fastest-growing smart home categories, and analytics are improving due to more powerful edge components (chipsets) or more effective and efficient cloud interactions. This session addresses the opportunities for growth as a result of advanced technologies embedded in devices.

Spencer Maid, CEO, Origin Wireless AI

Justin McKinney, CEO & Co-Founder, Ivani

Lars Oleson, CEO, Xailient

Sonny Tai, Chief Executive Officer, Actuate

Moderator: Chris White, Director, Research, Parks Associates

5:30 PM

Networking Reception

THURSDAY, MAY 25

Market Expansion

7:30 AM

Registration Open

7:30 AM

8:15 AM

Opening Comments: What Channels are Driving Growth

The buying experience for consumers and smart home products is fractured, but the many choices, including DIY and pro install options, have helped expand the market. This session provides highlights of Parks Associates data on the different channels selling smart home solutions: retail, home security, energy, and insurance.

Elizabeth Parks, President and CMO, Parks Associates

8:30 AM

The standard smart home buyer journey today is via retail, often one device at a time. But many consumers start with a home security system and are adding smart home devices to extend applications and value. This session brings industry leaders together to talk about what channels are driving the biggest growth for smart home solutions.

Eugenia Blackstone, Chief Marketing Officer, Iris Powered by Generali

Jan Dawson, Senior Director, Research & Insights, Vivint

Kevin Kraus, V.P. Global Programs and Technology Alliances, Smart Residential Solutions, ASSA ABLOY Group

Teddy Meyer, VP of Marketing & Customer Experience, Green Marbles

Martin Milani, CEO, Sunverge Energy

Moderator: Chris White, Director, Research, Parks Associates

9:15 AM

Keynote

Lon Huber

SVP, Pricing & Customer Solutions

Duke Energy Corporation

Moderator: Chris White, Director, Research, Parks Associates

9:45 AM

Networking Break

10:15 AM

A unified smart home experience is the holy grail of convenience and value for consumers, but fragmentation and interoperability issues have hindered the early development for the smart home. Industry players have been building standards for decades, and the new Matter standard provides a possible solution that serves an enormous number of stakeholders in the smart home marketplace, including solution providers, manufacturers, and consumers. This session features industry leaders’ insights on partnerships, opportunities, and challenges.

Roger Clawson, Director Home Builder Division, SafeStreets USA

Abe Kinney, Senior Director, Product Management, Alarm.com

Michelle Mindala-Freeman, Executive Vice President, Connectivity Standards Alliance

Moderator: Elizabeth Parks, President and CMO, Parks Associates

11:00 AM

Special Session

Morgan HertelVP of Technology and InnovationRapid Response Monitoring

Moderator: Elizabeth Parks, President and CMO, Parks Associates

11:30 AM

Keynote

Mark Benson

Head of SmartThings

Samsung SmartThings

Moderator: Ashton Gambrell, Strategic Account Manager, Events & Marketing Services, Parks Associates

12:00 PM

Networking Lunch

1:00 PM

Research Presentation: Security Beyond the Home: Personal & Mobile

Join Parks Associates for a special presentation.

Sarah Lee, Research Analyst, Parks Associates

1:15 PM

Consumer demand for Wi-Fi devices like smart cameras and video doorbells will only increase over time. Integration capabilities across smart home devices and security systems create a stickier customer base that is engaged with their system. Security dealers can expand beyond the perimeter of the home with new solutions, including vehicle monitoring and personal emergency services. This session highlights the new role security players have in the home as consumers add more and more connected devices.

Mason Hall, Head of Connected Products, Moen

Greg Mora, Executive Director, Johnson Controls

Keith Puckett, Founder and CEO, Ubiety

Jing Xue, Senior Director of Product Management, Wyze Labs

Moderator: Elizabeth Parks, President and CMO, Parks Associates

2:00 PM

This session is designed to help understand the transformative power of technology in enabling accessibility and independence for people with disabilities, chronic health conditions, and life-changing diagnoses. The session provides practical guidance for designing technology that is inclusive and accessible by users of all abilities. In addition, the session provide insights into how these technologies can be leveraged to help consumers and caregivers manage care. Participants will gain a deeper understanding of the personal aspects of health and the need and demand to incorporate technology that supports consumers at every stage of life. 

Kris Bowring, Retired Vice President Business Development & Innovation / "the patient Patient"

Brooke Ellison, VP of Technology and Innovation, United Spinal Association

Moderator: Jennifer Kent, Vice President, Research, Parks Associates

2:45 PM

Funding the Connected Solutions: View from Investors

In the last 10 years of development, the smart home market has established important foundations for future growth. In 2023 and beyond, solution creators have the necessary ingredients to deliver on the promise of the vision of the smart home where the sum – an intelligent, integrated, helpful home – is greater than the individual parts. This session brings experts from the industry to share their perspectives on where the next stage of growth and investments are coming from.

Gregory Couvreur, Founder and Managing Principal, Mighty Acorns Capital

Peter Giacalone, President, Giacalone Associates

Michael Meyers, Executive Partner, Ethos Capital

David Sym-Smith, Partner, Mobility Ventures

Moderator: Elizabeth Parks, President and CMO, Parks Associates

3:30 PM

Closing Comments