The Z-Wave Alliance has announced the schedule of events for the Z-Wave Alliance Summit & Unplug Fest 2025. Taking place October 28-30, 2025, in Carlsbad, California, this annual event brings together leaders from across the entire Z-Wave ecosystem for three days full of collaboration, discussion, testing, networking, and education.
Hosted by Trident IoT, the upcoming Z-Wave Alliance Summit will feature a comprehensive schedule including Unplug Fest, keynote and fireside chat sessions, marketing and technical working tracks, interactive panels, and a range of social and networking opportunities designed to strengthen community connections and drive innovation throughout the Z-Wave ecosystem, and smart home and IoT sectors at large.
Unplug Fest 2025
The event kicks off with the Z-Wave Unplug Fest. This year, however, attendees are invited to the most ambitious Z-Wave testing environment ever created, where cutting-edge RF long range testing meets extreme altitude demonstrations. This year’s Unplug Fest will combine professional device interoperability testing with live skydiving demonstrations carrying Z-Wave devices, allowing companies to measure communication range capabilities in real-world Line-of-Sight conditions extending over 1.5+ miles from Lake Elsinore’s open terrain.
An exclusive event for hands-on device-to-device interoperability testing, Unplug Fest is a unique opportunity for members to refine their devices within a collaborative environment, gain insights from industry peers, and ensure products are market-ready with optimal performance and range. Whether bringing devices for testing or wanting to learn from industry leaders, this hands-on experience offers insights into Z-Wave development and device design — making it an essential experience for any Z-Wave company serious about pushing the boundaries of IoT connectivity. [Note: Space for Unplug Fest 2025 is limited. Members are encouraged to sign up early via the registration form to secure their testing spot.]
Key Themes and Tracks
Over three full days, attendees will participate in engaging sessions exploring the latest trends and advancements across Z-Wave and the broader connectivity market. Joint sessions and networking events are open to both members and non-members alike, while Unplug Fest and the marketing and technical tracks are exclusive to members. Key topics and themes include:
- Z-Wave State of the Union and roadmap
- Z-Wave Long Range (ZWLR) development and deployment strategies
- Certification updates and global regulatory trends
- Cybersecurity labelling and compliance readiness
- Marketing guidance and best practices
- Opportunities for global expansion and market differentiation
Following the State of the Union on Wednesday, October 29, kicks off with the Fireside Chat: Z-Wave at the Crossroads — Past Wisdom, Present Successes, and Future Potential. This summit-opener will blend historical insights with real-time leadership perspectives. This session will begin with a brief address from serial entrepreneur Michael Lamb, reflecting on the evolution of the connected home industry from a business-first lens. Lamb draws on decades of experience across a varied career to frame what has changed, what hasn’t, and why Z-Wave is uniquely positioned to thrive in the next chapter.
Kicking off Thursday’s agenda is The Cyber Trust Label and PSV Mark Decoded — What Does It Mean and What Comes Next? In this session, Michael Bergman of the Consumer Technology Association (CTA) will provide a clear overview of the U.S. Cyber Trust Mark’s goals, scope, and current voluntary status. He’ll also break down how the June 2025 Executive Order titled “Sustaining Select Efforts to Strengthen the Nation’s Cybersecurity” could lay the groundwork for mandatory adoption, ushering in a new era of regulatory enforcement and compliance expectations.
The full agenda, including session start times, titles, and speakers, is available on the Z-Wave Alliance website.
Registration Details
Z-Wave Alliance members can take advantage of early bird registration for just $499 now through August 31, 2025. Beginning September 1, regular registration for the Z-Wave Alliance Summit and Unplug Fest 2025 will be $699.
To view the full agenda and travel information and register for the Z-Wave Alliance Summit & Unplug Fest 2025, visit the official event landing page: https://z-wavealliance.org/eve/z-wave-alliance-summit-unplug-fest-2025/.
For more information on the Z-Wave Alliance, visit http://z-wavealliance.org/.
