2021 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.
Mar 24 Smart Products - Serving the SMB Market
May 12 Supporting Remote Workers with a Smarter Home
May 25 State of the Smart Home
May 25 Pro-Installers and Home Technologies
May 26 Home Services Opportunities
May 26 Sensor Innovation and AI - Driving New Use Cases
Jul 14 MDUs: Scaling Up
Aug 18 State of Home Security Market
Sep 22 Home Networking and Wi-Fi
Nov 9 Smart Home: Bridging Platforms and Changing the Experience, sponsored by Johnson Controls
Nov 9 Privacy and Security
Nov 10 Europe and the Smart Home
Nov 10 Insurance and Smart Home, sponsored by Notion
Tuesday, Nov 9
|
Smart Home: Bridging Platforms and Changing the Experience
Sponsored by Johnson Controls
 As adoption in smart home technology moves beyond single endpoint solutions and the average number of devices in the home climbs, platforms seek to deliver a unified experience that is the "holy grail" of the smart home value proposition. A variety of smart home platform types from open developer platforms to tech giant personal assistant platforms and curated partner platforms compete to provide that unified experience and own the primary relationship with the end user. This session will discuss consumer preferences for smart home control and UI, trends in interoperability and standards, such as CHIP, and partnership alignments that drive ecosystem compatibility for an ever-growing array of products.
|
|
11:00 AM CT
|
Welcome and Analyst Insight from Parks Associates - Consumers, Interoperability, and the Experience
Jennifer Kent, Vice President, Research, Parks Associates
|
|
11:15 AM CT
|
Visionary Insight
Moderator: Jennifer Kent, Vice President, Research, Parks Associates
|
|
11:45 AM CT
|
Executive Q&A - Changing the Experience, Ayla Networks
Moderator: Elizabeth Parks, President, Parks Associates
|
|
12:15 PM CT
|
Interactive Panel - Bringing it All Together: The Promise of the Smart Home
Aaron Emigh, Chief Executive Officer & Co-Founder, Brilliant
Scott Harkins, Vice President Sales and Channel Marketing, Resideo
Steve Herbert, Director of Global Business Development, Samsung
Raman Sidhu, VP Product, Xfinity Home and Connectivity, Comcast
Wilco van Hoogstraeten, Director, Qorvo
Moderator: Jennifer Kent, Vice President, Research, Parks Associates
|
|
1:00 PM CT
|
Q&A with Speakers
|
|
1:15 PM CT
|
Networking Discussions
Join the Discussion (requires login)
|
Privacy and Security
Security and privacy have become important areas for investment for device manufacturers and a major source of concern for consumers. Security solutions at the level of hardware, network, or cloud platforms are vitally important to the success of IoT providers throughout the ecosystem. This track examines the challenges in securing the smart home, opportunities for data security solution providers, and strategies to alleviate consumer privacy concerns.
|
|
2:00 PM CT
|
Welcome and Analyst Insight - Security, Privacy, and the Smart Home
Patrice Samuels, Sr. Manager, Market Research, Parks Associates
|
|
2:15 PM CT
|
Visionary Insight
Moderator: Patrice Samuels, Sr. Manager, Market Research, Parks Associates
|
|
2:45 PM CT
|
Executive Q&A - Protecting Consumers at Home: Building Confidence
Moderator: Elizabeth Parks, President, Parks Associates
|
|
3:15 PM CT
|
Interactive Panel - Security and Privacy: Addressing Consumers Concerns
Marcio Avillez, SVP of Business Development, CUJO AI
Jeff Holleran, VP Product, SAM Seamless Network
Sharon Mirsky, Co-Founder and COO, FireDome
Paul Palmer, VP Service Provider Business, Consumer Business Unit, F-Secure
Scott Rankine, President, NXM Labs
Moderator: Patrice Samuels, Sr. Manager, Market Research, Parks Associates
|
|
4:00 PM CT
|
Q&A with Speakers
|
|
4:15 PM CT
|
Networking Discussions
Join the Discussion (requires login)
|
Wednesday, Nov 10
|
Europe and the Smart Home
While smart home products have not achieved critical mass in Europe, introductions of new connected products that bring new value is driving increased adoption and future purchase intentions. Consumer concerns around energy consumption and the high cost of traditional security services create opportunities in this market. This track examines the value propositions that will drive adoption in different European markets.
|
|
11:00 AM CT
|
Welcome and Analyst Insight - Smart Homes in the EU: Use Cases that Matter
Jennifer Kent, Vice President, Research, Parks Associates
|
|
11:15 AM CT
|
Visionary Insight
Moderator: Jennifer Kent, Vice President, Research, Parks Associates
|
|
11:45 AM CT
|
Executive Q&A - Modern Living: Evolution of Smart Home in Europe
Moderator: Elizabeth Parks, President, Parks Associates
|
|
12:15 PM CT
|
Interactive Panel - Expert Insights: EU Partnerships, Strategies, and Services
Tali Chen, Chief Business Officer, DSP Group
Markus Henkelmann, Director Smart Residential Products Yale EMEIA, ASSA ABLOY GROUP
Stefan van den Broek, Vice President of Customer Success, Plume
Chris Viatte, CEO & Founder, Mila AG
Moderator: Jennifer Kent, Vice President, Research, Parks Associates
|
|
1:00 PM CT
|
Q&A with Speakers
|
|
1:15 PM CT
|
Networking Discussions
Join the Discussion (requires login)
|
Insurance and Smart Home
Sponsored by Notion
 The size of the insurance opportunity for smart home devices is substantial. 70 million US households have home insurance and almost 16 million have renters insurance. Smart home tech can potentially drive billions of dollars in savings for insurers and consumers. Smart home providers have pursued the property insurance channel in recent years, though adoption has been slow. While the size of the opportunity is enormous, so is the scale of investment required to bring smart solutions to market, and business models remain unproven. This session highlights examples of smart home solution providers working with home insurers to moderate risk and the challenges that must be addressed to leverage the full potential of this channel to the smarter home.
|
|
2:00 PM CT
|
Welcome and Analyst Insight - Smart Homes as Investments and Assets
Chris White, Senior Analyst, Parks Associates
|
|
2:15 PM CT
|
Visionary Insight
Moderator: Chris White, Senior Analyst, Parks Associates
|
|
2:45 PM CT
|
Executive Q&A - Power of Partnerships: Notion, Chubb
Moderator: Elizabeth Parks, President, Parks Associates
|
|
3:15 PM CT
|
Interactive Panel - Smart Devices, Keeping Smart Homes Safe
Adam Kornick, President, Insurance Division, Porch
Aleem Lakhani, Executive Vice President, US Specialty Risk, AmTrust
Roel Peeters, CEO and Co-Founder, Roost
Matt Wolf, Head of Partnerships, Simplisafe
Moderator: Chris White, Senior Analyst, Parks Associates
|
|
4:00 PM CT
|
Q&A with Speakers
|
|
4:15 PM CT
|
Networking Discussions
Join the Discussion (requires login)
|
Past Sessions
Wednesday, March 24
|
Smart Products - Serving the SMB Market
SMBs have had to adapt to unprecedented circumstances, and in doing so, they have reevaluated all parts of their businesses in order to serve customers in new ways and keep employees engaged and productive.
While many SMBs have faced decreased earnings and reduced hiring, one-third report increased spending – particularly on technology products and services. In fact, at-risk businesses are the ones showing the highest interest in connected services and products and the highest intention to spend. SMBs report a need for new Wi-Fi configurations, smart energy products, premise security solutions, and support services for remote employees, among others. This session addresses the new demand for connected products and services in the SMB space.
|
|
12:30 PM CT
|
Welcome and Analyst Insight: Tech Solutions for SMBs: Changing Needs, New Opportunities
Jennifer Kent, Vice President, Research, Parks Associates
|
|
12:45 PM CT
|
Visionary Insight: Serving the SMB Market with Services
|
|
1:15 PM CT
|
Executive Q&A: Serving Remote Work Forces: Growing Need for Security Solutions
 |
Razvan Todor
Director of Connected Home Security
Bitdefender
|
 |
|
|
1:45 PM CT
|
Interactive Panel: Impact of COVID-19 on the SMB Markets
Andrew Goldberg, VP of Strategic Planning & Analysis, Cox Communications
James Reno, Sr. Director - Commercial Business, Alarm.com
Peter Suica, Director of National and Strategic Accounts, Johnson Controls
JT Taylor, Product Marketing Lead, Synamedia
Moderator: Jennifer Kent, Vice President, Research, Parks Associates
|
|
2:30 PM CT
|
Q&A with Speakers
|
|
2:45 PM CT
|
Networking Discussions: Smart Product End Users: Shifting Focus to SMBs
|
Wednesday, May 12
|
Supporting Remote Workers with a Smarter Home
Employers and employees are realizing the need for smarter services in the home in order to meet the unique demands of remote work. Remote workers require high network uptime and high uplink speeds, while businesses are increasingly facing the logistical challenge of protecting corporate IT systems from malware and threats on employees' home networks. This session addresses how service providers and others in the market can best meet the evolving needs of businesses and employees in this new world of remote work.
|
|
12:30 PM CT
|
Welcome and Analyst Insight - Remote Work Trends and Smart Products
Jennifer Kent, Vice President, Research, Parks Associates
|
|
12:45 PM CT
|
Visionary Insight
|
|
1:15 PM CT
|
Executive Q&A - Adapting to Remote Work Demands
 |
David Henry
Senior Vice President of Connected Home Products
NETGEAR
|
|
|
|
1:45 PM CT
|
Interactive Panel - Meeting Evolving Needs of Businesses and Consumers
Peter Butler, Senior Program Manager, Everise
Keith Davis, Executive Director, Product Development & Management, Cox Communications
Scott Lever, Founder and CEO, Zobi
Nicole Zheng, Founder & CMO, Minim
Moderator: Jennifer Kent, Vice President, Research, Parks Associates
|
|
2:30 PM CT
|
Q&A with Speakers
|
|
2:45 PM CT
|
Networking Discussions - The Role of Technology for Remote Work
|
Tuesday, May 25
|
State of the Smart Home
More than one-third of US broadband households own at least one smart home device. Yet, the “smart home” continues to be a promise-not-yet-fulfilled, as device makers and platform providers strive to offer consumers an intelligent, automated, and unified experience that is also useful.
Major stakeholders from industry verticals as diverse as healthcare and energy seek to understand the opportunities – and risks – in the current connected home landscape. Broadband providers, tech giants, equipment manufacturers, and others battle over the home router, a critical yet (until recently) overlooked point of insight, control, and opportunity in the home. On top of this, consumer needs, lifestyles, and household patterns have shifted dramatically in the past year – companies that serve consumers at home seek indications of what will stick and what is temporary following the COVID-19 pandemic? What seeds are being planted today that will shape the next generation’s priorities?
This session assesses the state of the smart home market, including the key trends and competitive dynamics impacting the industry and new opportunities for industry stakeholders.
|
|
11:00 AM CT
|
Welcome and Analyst Insight - State of the Smart Home Market
Jennifer Kent, Vice President, Research, Parks Associates
|
|
11:15 AM CT
|
Visionary Insight
Moderator: Elizabeth Parks, President, Parks Associates
|
|
11:45 AM CT
|
Executive Q&A - Exploring the Next Stage of Growth
Moderator: Patrice Samuels, Sr. Manager, Market Research, Parks Associates
|
|
12:15 PM CT
|
Interactive Panel - Consumer Experience: Integration and Partnerships Driving Adoption
Jacob Alamat, VP and GM, Home & Life, Silicon Labs
Alice DeBiasio, VP Global Product Management - Security, Resideo
Anne Ferguson, VP, Marketing, Alarm.com
David Ilardi, General Manager, Allegion Home, Allegion
Michele Turner, Senior Director - Product Management, Smart Home Ecosystem at Google Nest, Google/Thread Group
Yana Welinder, CEO, Kraftful Inc
Moderator: Jennifer Kent, Vice President, Research, Parks Associates
|
|
1:00 PM CT
|
Q&A with Speakers
|
|
1:15 PM CT
|
Networking Discussions - Evolution of the Smart Home
|
Pro-Installers and Home Technologies
Consumers acquire smart home technology through a variety of channels, including retail, security dealers, energy utilities, broadband providers, and custom installers. DIY options are convenient for consumers but can lead to a fragmented user experience. As the market matures, the role of pro-installers may become more important than ever as mass-market consumers need support evaluating the best solutions for their needs, properly installing technology, and supporting that technology long-term.
This session explores trends in self- and pro-install in the connected home and the value propositions and consumer segments best served by different installation approaches.
|
|
2:00 PM CT
|
Welcome and Analyst Insight - Smart Home Installation Trends: Expanding Opportunities
Elizabeth Parks, President, Parks Associates
Amanda Kung, Researcher, Parks Associates
|
|
2:15 PM CT
|
Visionary Insight
Moderator: Elizabeth Parks, President, Parks Associates
|
|
2:45 PM CT
|
Executive Q&A - Evolution of the Smart Home
Moderator: Jennifer Kent, Vice President, Research, Parks Associates
|
|
3:15 PM CT
|
Interactive Panel - New Business Models: Growth of Home Security and Smart Home
Jan Dawson, Senior Director of Research and Insights, Vivint
Min Kang, Chief Product & Strategy Officer, Brinks Home
Dave Mayne, Senior Vice President of Product Management, Alula
Raya Sevilla, Senior Vice President, Data & Product Engineering, ADT
Paul Williams, Vice President of Experiences & Professionally Installed Lighting, GE Lighting, a Savant Company
Moderator: Elizabeth Parks, President, Parks Associates
|
|
4:00 PM CT
|
Q&A with Speakers
|
|
4:15 PM CT
|
Networking Discussions - Market Drivers and Barriers for Smart Home Tech
|
Wednesday, May 26
|
Home Services Opportunities
With core connected businesses established, companies look to generate incremental revenues through value-added services that leverage core assets in new ways. Common approaches include layering a service layer on top of product hardware sales, adding product or service features that drive user engagement with the core business model, and expanding the use cases that can be addressed by existing services. Companies are offering valuable services in creative ways to drive revenues.
This session examines new services including broadband value-added services, home security services, and new home services like in home package delivery and home health services.
|
|
11:00 AM CT
|
Welcome and Analyst Insight - Modern Living: Consumer Service Trends
Patrice Samuels, Sr. Manager, Market Research, Parks Associates
|
|
11:15 AM CT
|
Visionary Insight
Moderator: Patrice Samuels, Sr. Manager, Market Research, Parks Associates
|
|
11:45 AM CT
|
Executive Q&A - Services Driving Value and User Experience
Moderator: Elizabeth Parks, President, Parks Associates
|
|
12:15 PM CT
|
Interactive Panel - Home Services: Driving Value and Incremental Revenues
Alfred Y. Bentley III, Founder + CEO, vipHomeLink
Moti Shkolnik, Founder & CEO, Firedome
Andrew Vloyanetes, GM, Pro/Installed Solutions, Ring
Fritz Werder, General Manager North America, Tuya Smart
Moderator: Patrice Samuels, Sr. Manager, Market Research, Parks Associates
|
|
1:00 PM CT
|
Q&A with Speakers
|
|
1:15 PM CT
|
Networking Discussions - Unlocking New Experiences: Home Services
|
Sensor Innovation and AI - Driving New Use Cases
New developments in local and edge computing are bringing the advantages of AI and machine learning into the smart home. Examples range from chips able to locally interpret voice commands to new video verification technologies in security cameras to health devices capable of applying predictive analytics to evaluate risk based on information from sensors in the room. This session addresses new smart home use cases driven by improvements in sensor technology and artificial intelligence, as well as by new computing paradigms.
|
|
2:00 PM CT
|
Welcome and Analyst Insight - New Tech Expanding Use Cases
Chris White, Senior Analyst, Parks Associates
|
|
2:15 PM CT
|
Visionary Insight
Moderator: Chris White, Senior Analyst, Parks Associates
|
|
2:45 PM CT
|
Executive Q&A - The Role of Tech Driving New Value
Moderator: Jennifer Kent, Vice President, Research, Parks Associates
|
|
3:15 PM CT
|
Interactive Panel - Beyond Connected to a Smart Home: Emerging Tech Innovations
Yamin Durrani, CEO, Kami Vision
Chris Mitchell, CEO, Audio Analytic
Marc McGrann, Director of Vayyar Home, Vayyar Imaging
Sujata Neidig, Marketing Director, NXP Semiconductors
Marc Pegulu, VP IoT Product Marketing and Strategy, Semtech
Moderator: Jennifer Kent, Vice President, Research, Parks Associates
|
|
4:00 PM CT
|
Q&A with Speakers
|
|
4:15 PM CT
|
Networking Discussions - Beyond Connected to a Smart Home
|
Wednesday, July 14
|
MDUs: Scaling Up
The multifamily housing market has become increasingly important to device manufactures as they seek to drive overall adoption of the smart home products. Multifamily rental properties represent a particularly lucrative opportunity since they deploy smart home device packages to multiple units at a time. This track examines the demand for smart home products and services in the multifamily housing market and the unique opportunities and challenges this market provides.
|
|
12:30 PM CT
|
Welcome and Analyst Insight
Patrice Samuels, Sr. Manager, Market Research, Parks Associates
|
|
12:45 PM CT
|
Visionary Insight
 |
Henry Pye
Vice President, Residential Technology Services
RealPage
|
 |
|
|
1:15 PM CT
|
Executive Q&A
Moderator: Elizabeth Parks, President, Parks Associates
|
|
1:45 PM CT
|
Interactive Panel
Marshall Friday, Director of Sales - Multifamily IoT & Smart Home, ADT
Preston Grutzmacher, Vertical Business Leader for Multifamily Housing, Salto Systems
Brett Little, Program Manager, GreenHome Institute
Michael Rovito, CEO, Dwelo
Andy Schnack, Senior Manager - Xfinity Communities, Comcast
Steve Yahnke, Director of IT, Continental Properties
Moderator: Patrice Samuels, Sr. Manager, Market Research, Parks Associates
|
|
2:30 PM CT
|
Q&A with Speakers
|
|
2:45 PM CT
|
Networking Discussions
|
Wednesday, August 18
|
State of Home Security Market
Home security – a market that has been mature and relatively stable for decades – is in the midst of dramatic changes. New entrants from start-ups, investments from tech giants, and shifting consumer installation and monitoring preferences are forcing innovation in security offerings and business models. Traditional pro-installed, pro-monitored security providers have succeeded in converting legacy customers to interactive services, driving RMR upward by adding smart home and video services and generating incremental revenue through add-on device sales. Self-installed security solutions offer the potential to significantly lower the cost of security, helping to attract a new type of buyer to the market. They are also tailor-made for the COVID-19 era with its challenges to professional installation. This session assesses the state of the residential security market, critical trends impacting industry stakeholders, and the top opportunities for revenues growth.
|
|
12:30 PM CT
|
Welcome and Analyst Insight - Home Security: A Redefined Market
Elizabeth Parks, President, Parks Associates
|
|
12:45 PM CT
|
Visionary Insight
Moderator: Elizabeth Parks, President, Parks Associates
|
|
1:15 PM CT
|
Executive Q&A
 |
Don Young
EVP and Chief Operating Officer
ADT
|
 |
Moderator: Jennifer Kent, Vice President, Research, Parks Associates
|
|
1:45 PM CT
|
Interactive Panel - Market Expansion: A New Era for Home Security
Logan Dunn, Head of Growth, Wyze
Min Kang, Chief Product and Strategy Officer, Brinks Home
Jeremy McLerran, Global Director of Marketing, Johnson Controls
Spencer Moore, Vice President, Sales and Marketing, Rapid Response Monitoring
Andreas Rudyk, Co-Founder, Smartfrog & Canary
Mark Zimmerman, CEO, RSPNDR
Moderator: Elizabeth Parks, President, Parks Associates
|
|
2:30 PM CT
|
Q&A with Speakers
|
|
2:45 PM CT
|
Networking Discussions
|
Wednesday, Sept 22
|
Home Networking and Wi-Fi
The home networking and Wi-Fi space has evolved, with service providers offering advanced functionality and new services and capabilities built into their home gateways such as smart adaptive Wi-Fi, embedded cybersecurity solutions, and services incorporating Wi-Fi motion sensing. In the MDU space, an increasing number of properties are offering new innovative amenities such as complex-wide personal area networks, as well as turning to Wi-Fi to enable smart apartment functionality for their residents. This session addresses new innovations in home networking and Wi-Fi, in the single family residential and MDU spaces.
|
|
12:30 PM CT
|
Welcome and Analyst Insight - The Home Networking Landscape: Opportunities and Challenges
Mark Vena, Senior Director, Smart Home and Strategy, Parks Associates
|
|
12:45 PM CT
|
Visionary Insight
Moderator: Mark Vena, Senior Director, Smart Home and Strategy, Parks Associates
|
|
1:15 PM CT
|
Executive Q&A
 |
Oz Yildirim
EVP and GM of American Business Unit
Airties
|
 |
Moderator: Elizabeth Parks, President, Parks Associates
|
|
1:45 PM CT
|
Interactive Panel - Where Home Networking Is Headed
Justin Doucette, Head of Nokia WiFi, Nokia
Pravat Lall, VP, Channel Delivery & Success, Consumer Business, McAfee
Aly Reyes, Director of Global Portfolio Strategy, Linksys
Livia Rosu, President, HomeGrid Forum
Oz Yildirim, EVP and GM of American Business Unit, Airties
Moderator: Mark Vena, Senior Director, Smart Home and Strategy, Parks Associates
|
|
2:30 PM CT
|
Q&A with Speakers
|
|
2:45 PM CT
|
Networking Discussions
|
|
