The Z-Wave Alliance has shared details for the Z-Wave Fall Summit 2026. This three-day conference brings together commercial and consumer IoT industry experts, manufacturers, and practitioners for sessions spanning industry trends, market opportunities, and Z-Wave technical development.
The Fall Summit takes place September 29–October 1 in Boca Raton, Florida. The event kicks off September 29 with the member-only Unplug Fest, where Z-Wave Alliance members can conduct informal device-to-device interoperability testing for Z-Wave and Z-Wave Long Range (ZWLR) products, collaborate with other developers and manufacturers, and exchange knowledge across the ecosystem.
Following Unplug Fest, programming opens to integrators, installers, developers, and other industry professionals for a Z-Wave Feature Demo led by Z-Wave expert Eric Ryherd (Dr. Z-Wave). Attendees will see key Z-Wave features in action, including rapid SmartStart commissioning, predictable low latency with ZWLR, simultaneous Z-Wave Mesh and Z-Wave Long Range operation on the same controller, and sub-Gigahertz operation. The day concludes with a welcome reception, presented by Fall Summit diamond sponsor ADT. The reception will include a panel session discussing how open standards are shaping the future of the connected home and an opportunity to tour ADT’s Callahan Family Home, a product demonstration space located inside the company’s Boca Raton headquarters. The replica home environment showcases Z-Wave devices and how they work with the ADT+ platform.
On September 30, Z-Wave Alliance members, integrators, developers, and other industry professionals come together for a full day of programming examining the trends, technologies, and opportunities shaping smart home and commercial IoT. Session highlights include:
- What Consumers Really Want: Jennifer Pattison Tuohy, senior smart home reviewer at The Verge, will share what drives smart home purchase decisions, where consumers still encounter friction, and which features matter most in everyday use. Manufacturers and solution providers will then join Tuohy for a panel discussion on smart home consumer desires, struggles, and expectations.
- The Professional Installation Market: New CEDIA research sets the stage for a conversation with professional integrators about changing customer expectations, common project challenges, and new opportunities.
- Beyond the Single-Family Home: Jennifer Kent, SVP and principal analyst at Parks Associates, joins leaders across multifamily, hospitality, and PropTech to examine what it takes to deploy connected technology at scale and where commercial markets are creating new opportunities for Z-Wave.
- Preparing for the Next Wave of Cybersecurity Requirements: Experts examine the latest developments around Europe’s Cyber Resilience Act and the U.S. Cyber Trust Mark, what manufacturers need to do to prepare, and how Z-Wave’s architecture can help support compliance with both programs.
The day concludes with an informal networking event that offers attendees the chance to continue discussions from the day, exchange ideas, and connect with colleagues from across the smart home and commercial IoT markets.
The final day of Fall Summit is dedicated to member-only Technical and Marketing Committee and Working Group sessions, giving Alliance members dedicated time to collaborate on ongoing initiatives and help shape priorities for the Z-Wave ecosystem.
Z-Wave Alliance members can register for the full Fall Summit for $699. Installers, integrators, and non-members can register for $99. Non-Member registration includes access to the Z-Wave Feature Demo and opening reception on September 29 and the September 30 programming and networking event. Unplug Fest and the October 1 working sessions are exclusive to Z-Wave Alliance members.
The full agenda, registration, and travel information are available on the Z-Wave Fall Summit 2026 event page.
