The Z-Wave Fall Summit is coming up for 2026, and ahead of the event, the Z-Wave Alliance (referred to as the Alliance) has released greater details on the programming for attendees, both confirmed and prospective. 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. The Fall Summit will run from September 29–October 1 in Boca Raton, Florida.
Why Integrators Should Take Note
The Z-Wave Fall Summit is a three-day conference that brings together commercial and consumer IoT industry experts, manufacturers and practitioners for sessions spanning industry trends, market opportunities and Z-Wave technical development.
Information and Programming for Z-Wave Fall Summit 2026
September 29
Upon opening to the public, programming for the 2026 Z-Wave Fall Summit opens with a Z-Wave Feature Demo led by Z-Wave expert Eric Ryherd (Dr. Z-Wave). The Alliance explains that the demo will cover several Z-Wave features in action, including SmartStart commissioning, ZWLR, simultaneous Z-Wave Mesh and Z-Wave Long Range operation on the same controller, and sub-Gigahertz operation.
The day will conclude with a welcome reception—presented by Fall Summit diamond sponsor ADT—and will include a panel session discussing how open standards are shaping the future of the connected home as well as an opportunity to tour ADT’s Callahan Family Home.
September 30
On September 30, programming will open to include:
- What Consumers Really Want, hosted by Jennifer Pattison Tuohy, senior smart home reviewer at The Verge, who will share what drives smart home purchase decisions, where consumers still encounter friction and which features matter most in everyday use.
- The Professional Installation Market, where 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, hosted by Jennifer Kent, SVP and Principal Analyst at Parks Associates, alongside 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, where 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 will conclude 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.
October 1
The final day of Fall Summit will be 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.
Registration Details
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.
