A system and method are described for reducing traffic when connecting an Internet of Things (IoT) device to an IoT hub. For example, one embodiment of a system comprises: an Internet of Things (IoT) device comprising a wireless communication module to establish communication with a plurality of IoT hubs over local wireless communication channels, advertising control logic to transmit first advertising beacons to the plurality of IoT hubs indicating that the IoT device is connectable; each of the IoT hubs to attempt to connect with the IoT device to provide commands and/or data to the IoT device, the IoT device to establish a connection with a first IoT hub of the plurality of IoT hubs to receive the commands and/or data from the first IoT hub; and the advertising control logic to begin transmitting a second advertising beacon to the IoT hubs indicating that the IoT device is not connectable after establishing the connection with the first IoT hub.