Executive Conference Addresses Key Topics in Connected Entertainment and Smart Home Markets including Consumer Engagement, Partnerships, Technology Integration, and Strategies for the Internet of Things

Parks Associates announced two keynotes today for the 20th anniversary of the firm’s CONNECTIONS™ Conference, May 24-26, in San Francisco. Daniel Herscovici, SVP & GM, Xfinity Home, Comcast Cable, and Matt Eyring, Chief Strategy and Innovation Officer of Vivint Smart Home, will present keynotes addressing the changing landscape for smart home and entertainment products and services in the connected consumer and IoT markets.

“This year, CONNECTIONS™ looks back at the pace of technology and its impact on consumers and their homes, cars, health, and security as well as looks forward to the technology innovations that will come in the next decade,” said Tricia Parks, CEO, Parks Associates. “Over 40% of U.S. broadband households report intentions to buy some smart home device in the next 12 months: this market will continue to expand and sprout new business and revenue opportunities. We are honored to celebrate 20 years of hosting an event that so many leaders have rewarded with their presence.”

Parks Associates research finds that nearly 90% of U.S. broadband households own a smartphone, over two-thirds have an Internet-connected entertainment device, and 33% own at least one connected healthcare device, which are all part of a complete IoT concept that encompasses all smart home and connected entertainment ecosystems.

“Over the last 20 years, the connected home has undergone enormous changes, from simple automation to smartphone control,” said Stuart Sikes, President, Parks Associates. “Since 1996, CONNECTIONS™ has been the key event to gauge consumer trends, new areas for revenue, and the best business models in this area we have always called the connected home. This year, Comcast, a global media and technology company and leader in the connected home space, and Vivint, a smart home innovator, will present keynotes providing perspectives on the convergence of key IoT areas impacting consumers and the industry.”

For thirty years, Parks Associates has provided research and analysis to companies ranging from Fortune 500 to small start-ups. The firm hosts CONNECTIONS™ every year with over 650 attendees and nearly 100 speakers. The 2016 themes include Innovations to Capture the Future, Meeting Current Consumer Demands and Expectations, and Engaging the Connected Consumer. The conference will open with the session “Service Providers and Device Makers: Smart Home Friends or Foes?”, sponsored by Icontrol Networks, and the three-day event will feature keynotes and speakers from leading smart home, connected entertainment, and IoT companies.

“Vivint made a splash at CES® when it announced its smart home solutions would work with Amazon Echo,” Sikes said. “Comcast is expanding its Xfinity Home business and working with partners to integrate smart home devices into its home security, automation, and energy management platform. At CONNECTIONS™, both speakers will go beyond the product announcements to detail their strategic approaches to the connected home and how these and other efforts fit within the larger consumer-oriented IoT.”

“At Vivint, we are working hard to develop technology that will simplify homeowners’ lives,” said Matt Eyring, Chief Strategy and Innovation Officer of Vivint Smart Home. “With consumer interest in the smart home at an all-time high, it is now more important than ever for the industry to deliver smart home solutions that appeal to a mass market.”

“Whether thermostats, door locks, or sprinkler systems, as the smart home market matures, consumers are increasingly adopting Internet-connected devices to manage their homes. Xfinity Home is the key to this smart home experience — consumers need one unified platform to tie together a wide range of home security and automation controls,” said Daniel Herscovici, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Xfinity Home. “Through Works With Xfinity Home, we’ve partnered with leading technology companies from Nest to Chamberlain, and we continue to look for opportunities to grow the Xfinity Home ecosystem with even more functionality and emerging services to deliver the best experience to our customers.”

The CONNECTIONS™ sponsorship area will feature software, hardware, middleware, services, and corollary products and solutions in digital entertainment, home networking, home systems, broadband access, residential gateways, energy management, and mobile entertainment.

Early event sponsors include Reception Sponsor CEL; Session Sponsor Icontrol Networks; Silver Sponsors Alarm.com, Asurion, ULE Alliance, WiZR, and ZigBee; Bronze Sponsors Flex, Support.com, WeatherBug Home, and Z-Wave; Breakfast Sponsors Greenwave Systems and Waxman CPG (leakSMART); and Break Sponsors Home8 and Tyco.

For more information on CONNECTIONS™, visit www.connectionsus.com. Follow the conference on Twitter at @CONNECTIONS_US, #CONNUS16, and on the CONNECTIONS™ Industry Insights Blog. To schedule a meeting with an analyst, contact Holly Sprague at hsprague@gmail.com, 720.987.6614. Social media info. 

About CONNECTIONS™

Parks Associates' 29th annual CONNECTIONS™: The Premier Connected Home Conference is hosted May 13-15 at Renaissance Dallas at Plano Legacy in Plano, Texas, and brings industry leaders together to provide insights and business forecasting about the adoption of technology including broadband, smart home, security, connected health, energy, and home automation.

CONNECTIONS™ provides ongoing insights throughout the year with virtual and in-person conference sessions. Parks Associates' analyst team leads the conference sessions, which are focused on technology innovations, consumer adoption and trends, product and service forecasts, and the evaluation of new business strategies, partnerships, monetization opportunities, and value-added service design.

CONNECTIONS™ is a pivotal platform for partnerships and exploring the future of technology adoption and its impact on consumers and businesses. www.connectionsus.com