Parks Associates announces CONNECTIONS Community

DALLAS—International research firm, Parks Associates, announced the launch of an online conference and networking experience, November 10-12, focused on the connected home and IoT industries. The research firm will host six webinars on key topics, sharing latest consumer data and insights, culminating in a three-day, virtual conference that will bring industry leaders together to network and discuss the growing smart home market. The firm’s latest research predicts by 2024, total annual revenue from smart home services in the U.S. will exceed $1.7 billion. 

“We are excited to announce the CONNECTIONS Community and offer our clients a unique, virtual experience that blends research and industry knowledge as part of an ongoing experience,” Elizabeth Parks, president, Parks Associates, said in the announcement. “While we aren’t able to host CONNECTIONS or CONNECTIONS Europe in person this year, we are able to extend the value of these events to an online community and provide valuable networking and discussion throughout the year.” 

Early sponsors include: Sutherland Global Services, Alarm.com, Rapid Response Monitoring, Cox, Cirrent, Everise, Firedome, Intellithings, MMB Networks, PassiveBolt, Z-Wave, Zen Ecosystems, Aprilaire, Sprosty Network, Wi-Change, Gadgeon and Inspire. 

Session topics include:

• State of the Smart Home Market in a Year of Disruption
• DIY: Impact on Smart Home and Security
• Monitoring Services: Expanding Beyond Security
• AI and the Smart Home: Proactive and Predictive Intelligence
• Smart Home Platforms: Quest for a Unified Experience
• Creating Value through Elevated User Experiences
• Independent Living: Serving Seniors and Chronically Ill
• Connectivity: Impact of Gigabit Broadband, 5G and Wi-Fi 6
• Investing in the Future: 2025 Outlook

“Data and insights, as well as tenured experience, will help companies navigate the turbulent markets,” Jennifer Kent, senior director, Parks Associates, said. “With new circumstances driven by COVID-19 and the economic recession, consumers will reconfigure their perceptions of value propositions, which will in turn create new opportunities for companies to innovate in design, outreach and business strategy.

“Our research finds only two-fifths of the U.S. broadband households are familiar with smart home devices, so this market has plenty of room to grow and expand. We have designed the CONNECTIONS Community to identify and explore these opportunities amidst a community of industry executives who will benefit from shared learning.” 

Leading up to the November event, the CONNECTIONS Community will host multiple webinars with analyst insights, interactive panels, roundtable discussions and special networking. These will take place July 15 and 29; August 19; September 16; and October 7 and 28. Topics include: 

• Support: Onboarding and Ongoing Services
• Connected Cars: Extending Functions in the Home
• Connected Health at Home: The Next Smart Home Market
• Privacy and Security: Protecting the Consumer
• Energy Management: Opportunities in the Smart Home
• MDUs in Focus: Builders, Property Manager and Connected Solutions