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What’s on at Here to Stay 2022

What’s on at Here to Stay 2022

Explore the ASTRA Here To Stay Conference 2022 provisional program.

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Speakers

Here to Stay is a two-day conference run by the industry for the industry.

Nick Ellis

Engaging tourism & technology thought leader

Learn More About Nick

Julie George

Author, “Million Dollar Host”

Learn More About Julie

Speakers

Here to Stay is a two-day conference run by the industry for the industry.

See More Speakers

Quirin Schwaighofer

Co-Founder & Co-CEO 'MadeComfy'
Learn More About Quirin
Learn More About Bart

Bart Sobies

Founder & CEO 'ibooked.online'
Learn More About Erin

Erin Stevenson

COO 'NewBook'
Learn More About Lisa

Lisa Peterson

Owner/Founder 'L'Abode Accommodation'
Learn More About Julie

Julie George

Author, “Million Dollar Host”

Nick Ellis

Engaging tourism & technology thought leader
Learn More About Nick
Learn More About Will

Will Creedon

Founder of 'Alloggio Group'
Learn More About Yoav

Yoav Tourel

Industry Leader
Learn More About Jon
Learn More About Lisa

Jon Lawry

CEO The Urban Butler
Learn More About Quirin
Learn More About Lisa

Bode Ten Buuren

Manager National Surveys and Data Science Section
Learn More About Bode
Learn More About Pete
Learn More About Lisa

Pete Smith MD

Founder Weekenda

Monday 10 October 2022

Welcome

Morning Session

  • Speaker: Julie George

Topic: Welcome

  • Topic: What is the biggest issue your business faces? (Round Table Discussion)

Regulations - Professionalism

Lunch Session

  • Topic: How do we lobby and influence government and community in the right way? (Expert Panel Discussion)

  • Topic: Professionalism of STRA – strategies to step up your game (Expert Panel Discussion)

Marketing & Distribution

Afternoon Session

  • Topic: Building a STRA Brand (Expert Panel Discussion)

  • Topic: What are the OTAs planning for STRA in 2023 and beyond? (Expert Panel Discussion)

Technology

Night Session

  • Topic: How are different operators using technology in their business? (Expert Panel Discussion)

  • Presentations: Innovation in our industry

Tuesday 11 October 2022

ASTRA and the future

morning  Session

  • Topic: Scaling your Short Term Rental operation (Expert Panel Discussion)

  • Topic: Establishing the future of ASTRA as a peak industry body – what do we need? (Round Table Discussion)

  • Topic: Q&A session with ASTRA board – tackling top priorities (Expert Panel Discussion)

Guest Experience

Lunch Session

  • Topic: Providing exceptional 5 start guest experience in 2023 (Expert Panel Discussion)

Business Operations

Afternoon Session

  • Topic: Scaling your operation (Expert Panel Discussion)

  • Topic: Improving your profitability in STRA – how to keep an eye on your ROI (Expert Panel Discussion)

  • Topic: Official conference close
Erin - Erin Stevenson
Will Creedon
edited headshot - ibooked online (1)
Julie-George1-e1570615567405-804x1024
nick3
DSC_2022 - Quirin Schwaighofer
Yoav Tourel
IMG_4754 - Jon Lawry
2020 Team _high-2 - Lisa Peterson (1)
headshot - Pete Smith

Speakers

Speaker

Title

Company

Nick Ellis

Innovation Manager

Spicers

Rob Jeffress

CEO

HomHero

Quirin Schwaighofer

Co-CEO and Co-Founder

Made Comfy

Erin Stevenson

Chief Operations Officer

Newbook Pty Ltd

Peter Smith

Founder & CEO

Weekenda

Will Creedon

CEO & Founder

alloggio

Bart Sobies

CEO & Founder

ibooked.online

Yoav Tourel

Managing Director

Guesty

Rebecca Cribbin 

Business Owner

Holiday rental Specialists

David Whelan

CEO

Urban Rest

Lisa Peterson

Owner & Founder

L’Abode Accommodation Specialists

Sabrina Schwaighofer

Co-CEO and Co-Founder

Made Comfy

Matt Landau (virtual)

CEO

VRMB

What to Expect

Panel Discussions

Listen to leaders in STRA work through some of the biggest challenges facing the industry, including pathways to post-COVID recovery.

Masterclasses

Learn from experts in immersive sessions that cover everything from marketing and customer experience to operations and accounting.

Keynote Sessions

Find out how top short-term rental operators are navigating issues like post-COVID recovery and changing regulation.

Networking Opportunities

Connect with ASTRA hosts, owners, managers and stakeholders at three different networking events.

Trade Exhibition

Explore the latest in hospitality at the Here to Stay 2022 Trade Exhibition, which features a range of vendors at tabletop displays.

Cocktail Gala

The ASTRA 2022 Awards, hosted on the Monday evening, includes canapes and a three-hour beverage package at The Island Gold Coast’s Glasshouse.

From newcomers to seasoned operators,

Here to Stay has something for everyone.

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Gold Coast, Queensland

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Nick Ellis

With more than 20 years industry experience, Nick has gained a reputation as one of the most vibrant, entrepreneurial & engaging thought leaders in guest, owner & team experience innovation.

Nick’s characteristic energy & passion has afforded him opportunities to work in some of Australia’s most well-loved brands including Ovolo, Sofitel, Peppers, InterContinental & Westin as well as the global brand launch & pre-opening GM for Tribe Hotels (now the fastest growing international brand of Accor). In his current role as Innovation Manager for Spicers Retreats, Nicks focuses on evoking thought and creating operational passion for realising business process & outcome improvement.

Appointed as a Young Tourism Leader by the Queensland Govt in 2018, Nick went on to become one of the leading voices in workforce engagement, motivation & development. He continues to promote industry best practice as a Judge for the esteemed Queensland Tourism Awards whilst also representing over 55,000 tourism businesses as an elected member of the board of directors for the Queensland Tourism Industry Council

Julie George

Julie George is the Author of the best-selling book ‘Million Dollar Host’ which outlines her story and unique STR property management business model that resulted in incredible success in a short amount of time – (130 properties/ $8million income in 3 years). In 2019 Julie sold her business to a larger company and is now a Consultant coaching other budding entrepreneurs to replicate the success that she has seen in this incredible industry. 

She is now considered one of the world’s leading experts in Short Term Rentals, Judge of the Shortyz Awards 2021 (the most prestigious Industry worldwide awards), Lead Investor in washbnb (an innovative American based business) and Head Coach with the Legends Accelerator Program in San Diego.  Julie has been featured on worldwide Podcasts, Newspapers, Magazines and TV.

Quirin Schwaighofer

Quirin Schwaighofer is the Co-CEO & Co-Founder of Australia’s multi-award-winning short-term rental innovator MadeComfy. Originally from Munich, Germany, Quirin holds a Master in Industrial Engineering and an AGSM MBA. 

In his early career, Quirin was responsible for the acquisition and implementation of large scale service contracts in the mining industry and was recognised by BHP Billiton for one of the best contract implementations in 2012. In 2014, Quirin resigned from his full time job to focus on his start-up HiKey Resources, a time and attendance app for the mining and construction industry. 

In 2015, he then Co-founded MadeComfy together with Sabrina, to solve the problem of managing his apartment in Cremorne Point on the short-term rental market. MadeComfy has raised over $15m in capital from high profile investors like Cliff Rosenberg (ex-MD and director at LinkedIn, Afterpay, Nearmaps, Me&You) Rolf Hansen (Founder & ex-CEO of Amaysim), Georg Chmiel (Ex-CEO LJ Hooker, ex-CFO REA) as well as global investment bank Investec, is one of only seven official partners of Airbnb. 

Bart Sobies

Bart Sobies, an up-and-coming leader in the tourism space, is the founder of The Accommodation Show & iBooked.Online. A serial entrepreneur, having started his first online business at the age of 15, and he is an ardent pursuer of all things tech, marketing and investment. Bart has been at the helm of several successful tech companies, building great digital products, leading sales & marketing teams helping them grow into multi-million $ businesses. 

At heart, his real passion is helping hospo businesses navigate an increasingly complex and noisy digital world. He hates the hype that ‘experts’ talk about and works in the real world by achieving results. He shares his expertise in Direct Bookings, Marketing, branding, building awesome digital products and increasing revenue to businesses. Bart has helped thousands of hospitality owners generate millions of $ in extra revenue through his company ibooked.online. He is also the voice of The Accommodation Show where he talks to industry leaders about their best tips and hacks for success and is also the founder of The Accommodation Managers and Owners Facebook Community where over 1500 accommodation owners and managers share their industry thoughts and expertise. He says, “My goal in life is to make sure you succeed in the areas which are most important to you and your business”

Erin Stevenson

With 20+ years of experience in the hotel and tourism industry, Erin brings a wealth of knowledge to her role as Global Chief Operations Officer at NewBook. 

She is an industry expert in PMS technology, and is passionate about providing leading technology that helps accommodation businesses deliver memorable guest experiences. 

In addition, her customer relations background strongly focuses on communication and driving value to clients at every opportunity.

Lisa Peterson

Intrepid and solicitous mother of 3, After building L’Abode from the ground up, L’Abode Accommodation has been in business for over 10 years managing over 200 properties across Australia in the luxury executive space. 

When not obsessing over her properties, guests and team, Lisa will probably be holidaying with her family, getting back to nature or sampling some great food and wine! The L’Abode team has been built on a foundation of honesty, and feels like a family who Lisa has the pleasure to empower and develop. Lisa’s heart is at the centre of everything she does, and as the business has grown, so has her opportunity to give back to the community. Her standout vision is to contribute a smile to the underprivileged, and to make a difference. 

The core values of honesty, taking independent action and providing the best customer experiences. www.labodeaccommodation.com.au

Will Creedon

With over 30 years of entrepreneurial hospitality and tourism industry experience, Will Creedon has successfully operated multiple styles of vacation and leisure businesses across the globe.

Born and bred in Ireland, Will settled in Australia over 20 years ago and was immediately head-hunted by The Roche Group to develop and operate the Harrigan’s Irish Pub portfolio across Australia as well as helping to establish and operate Hunter Valley Gardens, the largest commercial garden in the Southern Hemisphere.

In December 2015, Will founded Alloggio Group, a leading operator of short-term rental accommodation (STRA) in Australia who provide specialised expertise in accommodation property.

Since inception, alloggio have acquired 19 holiday property management businesses from geographies in Far North Queensland to Victoria, bringing the current properties under management to circa 2000. Alloggio’s Mid-market Hotel division currently manages 13 hotels with 428 rooms located on the eastern seaboard of Australia.

Yoav Tourel

An accomplished leader, technology savvy with close to 20 years’ experience across customer success in APAC and EMEA. Leading Guesty APAC, a global property management software and based in Sydney.

Jon Lawry

Jon’s professional experience spans construction management, corporate finance, valuation, sales, and property management. 

With a passion for travel, property, and people, Jon’s solution-based attitude is a refreshing addition to the short-term rental industry, bringing a dynamic approach to each new challenge.

As CEO and Founder of The Urban Butler, a boutique, guest experience-based, short-term accommodation business, Jon is at the forefront of innovation in the industry.

Bode Ten Buuren

Manager National Surveys and Data Science Section – Tourism Research Australia branchThe Australian Trade and Investment Commission (AUSTRADE)

For over 10 years I have had the pleasure of working in economic measurement through roles in the National Accounts (GDP), Government Finance Statistics, Prices (measuring inflation in Australia) and now Tourism. I have a passion for numbers and helping people understand the stories that sit behind them, while also contributing to research to solve complex problems that support the development of government policy and provide industry advice. Austrade leads the development of tourism and visitor economy policy for the Australian Government which is made possible through the production of timely and relevant information.

Pete Smith MD

Pete Smith founded one of the most respected and innovative Short Term Letting Property Management companies in Australia and has grown it to a market dominant position in Lake Macquarie and the Hunter Valley. Coming from a background in Corporate Computer Software, Pete has constantly integrated and implemented the most leading edge technology while also focussing the business on Best Practice Customer Service and Owner Liaison and Retention. With a strong history of local and international speaking and media engagements, he is an open book on how he can help your business.