Parks Associates Marks Four Decades of Innovation with CONNECTIONS Events at CES and Summit

Celebrating 40 Years of Innovation at Parks Associates

Parks Associates, a pioneering firm in the realm of consumer technology research, is excited to announce its upcoming events: the 20th Annual CONNECTIONS™ Summit at CES and the 30th Annual CONNECTIONS™: The Premier Connected Home Conference. Set to take place in 2026, these gatherings not only commemorate significant milestones but also mark an important moment in the evolution of smart home technology and connected living.

Upcoming Events: CONNECTIONS Summit and Premier Connected Home Conference

The CONNECTIONS™ Summit at CES will be held on January 6, 2026, in Las Vegas, Nevada. This influential forum will focus on the convergence of AI, connectivity, and security in creating smarter homes. With early sponsorship commitments from renowned companies like Alarm.com and Origin, the event promises rich insights from top executives and startups, who will discuss AI’s implications for energy management and evolving security models.

Meanwhile, CONNECTIONS™: The Premier Connected Home Conference will occur from May 5 to 7, 2026, in Santa Clara, California. This marks not only the 30th anniversary of the series but also a celebration of how technological advancements have reshaped the landscape of smart living. Core topics for discussion will include aging-in-place technologies, energy-efficient homes, and AI-driven personalization techniques that cater to consumer needs in this rapidly evolving marketplace.

The Landscape of Smart Home Technology

Recent research from Parks Associates showcases that approximately 48% of internet households in the U.S. currently own at least one smart home device, with 30% having made purchases within the past year. This data underscores not only the growing popularity of smart home devices but also the changing dynamics in consumer behavior impacted by factors such as tariffs.

Interestingly, the data shows that while 11% of households are purchasing smart home devices now to avoid potential price hikes, 21% are delaying their purchases due to economic uncertainties. The most prevalent channels for purchasing smart devices remain online retailers, reaching a peak of 31% in Q4 of 2022.

Furthermore, platforms such as Amazon Alexa maintain strong market positions, being the most widely used tool for controlling smart devices, while Google Assistant follows suit. This emphasizes a growing trend toward integration and interoperability among smart devices, which is crucial for the future of connected living.

Call for Speakers

In light of these exciting developments, Parks Associates invites industry experts and innovators to submit their proposals for speaking at these pivotal events. The call for papers remains open until December 1, 2025, for the CONNECTIONS™ conference and until October 1, 2025, for the CONNECTIONS™ Summit. Interested participants can find more information on how to submit proposals through the Parks Associates website.

About Parks Associates

Founded in 1986 and proudly woman-led, Parks Associates is recognized globally for its crucial market research focusing on emerging consumer technologies. Their expertise spans multiple sectors, including home security, broadband, streaming services, and the Internet of Things (IoT). With cutting-edge methodologies, including quarterly surveys of internet households, Parks Associates aims to provide actionable insights and strategic recommendations for businesses navigating the ever-changing technology landscape.

As Parks Associates celebrates its four-decade-long journey, it continues to uphold its commitment to drive industry innovation and share transformative insights with stakeholders across the board. Join us in marking this momentous anniversary while looking toward an exciting future filled with possibilities in connected living.