In our series of #CEDIAShares blogs, we’re talking with exhibitors about the hottest technologies and trends they’re looking to see at CEDIA Expo 2020.
Q&A with Mitch Klein, Executive Director, Z-Wave Alliance
RESI: Why should attendees connect with you virtually at CEDIA Expo?
MITCH KLEIN: We’re just as disappointed as everyone else in the industry that CEDIA won’t be happening in-person, as it is one of the Alliance’s and our members’ most anticipated shows, but we firmly believe it was the right decision. With the shift to virtual CEDIA, we’ll still use the opportunity to share updates from the Z-Wave Alliance and our membership. It’s been an exciting year of change thus far for Z-Wave and the Alliance, and we’re looking forward to updating all of the folks we’d usually talk to at the show in-person, virtually.
RESI: What are a few things that you’re excited about sharing with attendees at the show and why?
MK: We’re looking forward to sharing some important organizational and technical updates, as well as findings from its recently released Z-Wave State of the Ecosystem Report 2020. The report focuses on smart home and connected technology inside and outside of the home and how Z-Wave plays a role—with insight from industry experts and predictions for how technology will evolve, including for the professional install industry.
In our conducting the research for the report, there were several interesting takeaways. For example, we compiled data around the top ten Z-Wave smart home categories primed for growth, according to ABI Research, who found that Z-Wave all-in-one devices, smart doorbells, and water sensors are the top three categories predicted to grow the most through 2025. And in terms of regional growth, North America will see consistent YoY growth, but it is the EMEA and Latin America regions that are really set to explode in growth through 2025.
We also surveyed a wide range of industry experts and media (including Residential Systems’ own Tony Savona!) to get their takes on the smart home and what they see as trends, opportunities, and challenges … including their thoughts for how the smart home industry would need to pivot post-pandemic.
Stay tuned for more updates to come from the Alliance in the coming months, and the full report is available for download at z-wavealliance.org/z-wave-state-of-the-ecosystem-report and will also be available through our online CEDIA booth.
