Firm announces speakers for eighth-annual Smart Energy Summit, February 20-22 in Austin
New IoT research from Parks Associates shows that 7% of U.S. broadband households own smart light bulbs. The firm notes that while smart thermostats are the most popular single energy-based smart home device (11%), smart light bulbs encourage more multiple purchases. Owners of these devices have an average number of 2.4, compared to approximately one device per smart thermostat household.
The international firm and other key industry leaders in the smart home, energy, and IoT spaces will examine strategies for utilities to leverage these smart home devices to benefit the grid and develop compelling value propositions for their customers at the eighth-annual Smart Energy Summit: Engaging the Consumer, February 20-22, at the Four Seasons Hotel in Austin, Texas.
“Creating a mass market for energy management is challenging, but there is a vital role for energy within the smart home,” said Stuart Sikes, President, Parks Associates. “Consumers can benefit from a number of engaging products that provide cost savings, appliance monitoring, and smart lighting that can change color to set a mood in different rooms throughout the house. Speakers at Smart Energy Summit will share insights on their experiences selling IoT solutions to consumers.”
“If you are looking for ways to enhance the customer experience, this is a must-attend conference – great speakers, insightful research, and innovative ideas – all focused on engaging energy consumers in mutually beneficial ways,” said Deborah Kimberly, VP, Customer Energy Solutions, Austin Energy.
"The Smart Energy Summit is an excellent event for us to keep a finger on the pulse of how utilities are engaging consumers and how Bidgely disaggregation technology can help empower those efforts," said Leesa Lee, VP Marketing, Bidgely.
“We believe solar energy is a key component of a smart home,” said Jeremy Warren, CTO of Vivint Smart Home. “Combining rooftop solar power with smart learning capabilities will help homeowners manage energy and save money, which enhances their smart home experience."
The Smart Energy Summit agenda features keynotes, presentations, and speaker panels from experts in energy management, with discussions on new technologies and consumer research. Parks Associates will also host a pre-conference research workshop, “Utilities and Consumer Engagement Strategies,” on Monday, February 20, 1:00-5:00 p.m.
At the workshop, industry expert Kenneth Wacks will share his insights on interoperability (making everything work together). “For too long, interoperability has been a stated goal but in reality rarely crosses application domains. I have personally wrestled with interoperability failures because manufacturers focused on products rather than systems. This must change in order to achieve a mass market for integrated home systems.”
The following speakers will participate in the Smart Energy Summit:
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Conference sponsors include People Power Company, Austin Energy, Bidgely, Carrier, ecobee, EnergyHub, Hampton Products International, Honeywell, Powerley, Trusource Labs, UtilityShield, The Weather Company, Whisker Labs, Xively, Grid4C, ipCapital Group, MivaTek, and State Farm.
Conference supporters include ACEEE, Advanced Energy Economy, Internet of Things Consortium, AltEnergyMag.com, Antenna, B2 Group, CIOReview, Conference Guru, Engerati, Green Button Alliance, HomeGrid Forum, Hometoys, IoT Today, ISE Magazine, Israeli Smart Energy Association, KNXtoday, LonMark International, Mission Data, NEEP, oneM2M, OpenADR Alliance, Open Connectivity Foundation, POWERGRID International, Smart Energy Journal, Smart Grid Spain, Smart Grid Today, TD The Market Publishers, TelcoProfessionals, TREIA, USNAP Alliance, Utility Dive, Utility Post, Wi-Fi Alliance, and WSNBuzz.com.
Parks Associatesis accepting press pass requests for Smart Energy Summit: Engaging the Consumer athttp://www.parksassociates.com/ses-presspass. More information about the Smart Energy Summit is available at www.SES2017.com. To speak with an analyst or request specific research data, contact Holly Sprague at hsprague@gmail.comor 720-987-6614.
About Smart Energy Summit
The 17th annual Smart Energy Summit: Engaging the Consumer addresses the rising demand for energy, accelerated by the growth of data centers and AI, and its impact on energy management, renewable adoption, and grid modernization. Organized by Parks Associates and co-located with DISTRIBUTECH, Smart Energy Summit brings together leaders from energy, smart home, and technology industries to explore strategies and partnerships critical to the energy transition.
Smart Energy Summit takes place February 3-4, 2026, at the San Diego Convention Center. It will focus on integrating smart energy solutions, leveraging AI and IoT for home energy management, and tackling challenges in demand response and grid orchestration. Supported by Parks Associates’ consumer and industry research, the event provides key insights into market trends and the path forward for utilities, technology providers, and consumer brands.
Follow #SmartEnergy26 on Parks Associates’ LinkedIn. For information on speaking, sponsoring, or attending Smart Energy Summit, visit www.smartenergysmt.com.
