cONFERENCE PROGRAM
IGNITE GROWTH. EMBRACE CHANGE. OWN IMPACT.
Conference program is subject to change.
wEDNESDAY 22 OCTOBER 2025
All Aboard!
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| 6:30PM | 8:30PM | Poolside Cocktail Welcome Start your conference experience on the right note by relaxing poolside, making meaningful connections, and easing into the exciting days ahead. Poolside Dress code: Business Casual  Poolside Cocktail Welcome Function is sponsored by Guesty. |
THURSDAY 23 OCTOBER 2025
Committing to Hospitality and Professionalism
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| 8:00AM | 9:00AM | Registrations Open |
| 9:00AM | 9:15AM | Official Welcome Kick off with an overview of the theme, structure, what to expect, and how to get the most value out of your time here. Simon Lehmann, AJL Atelier; Yoav Tourel, ASTRA Chair and Guesty |
| MORNING FOCUS: Leading The Charge In Hospitality-Driven Short-Term Rental Success | ||
| 9:15AM | 9:45AM | Growing Successful Teams & Culture The Big Question: How do you scale a culture that is committed to fulfilling changing customer needs? You began your portfolio with a passion for hosting, and now it’s time to scale that passion into a team culture. In this high-impact session, hear essential strategies for building a strong, customer-focused team. Learn how to find the right people, empower them, and hold them accountable for understanding and meeting the evolving needs of your customers. Keynote: Vered Raviv-Schwarz, President & COO Guesty |
| 9:45AM | 10:30AM | Unlocking 5-Star Guest Experiences - Secrets to Wow Your Guests The Big Question: What’s the secret to turning guests into raving fans that keep coming back? Get ready for a high-energy, insight-packed session! Industry experts share top strategies for putting guests at the heart of your operation. Learn about: Take advantage of a Q&A at the end. This is your chance to ask the experts your burning questions and walk away with actionable strategies to take your guest experience to the next level! Moderator: Catherine Shields, ASTRA Director and South Coast Escapes Speakers: Jodie Odlin, The Global Hospitality Collective; Dan de Witte, Moxxi Property; Karly Barrett, Linnaeus Collection & Wandering Escapes |
| 10:30AM | 11:00AM | Coffee and Connect, Morning Tea Meet & Greet with a coffee. Coffee Cart sponsored by Guesty. |
| 11:00AM | 11:15AM | Data Snapshot Keynote: Daniel Leifeld, Key Data |
| 11:15AM | 12:00PM | Scaling Revenue Management The Big Question: How do you optimise returns as you scale from solo host to managing a larger STR portfolio, and what challenges must you prepare for? Hear practical insights into revenue management challenges and solutions as short-term rental operations scale from a single property to a multi-property PMC. Discover actionable strategies to optimise occupancy, increase RevPAL, implement dynamic pricing, and leverage technology effectively—both as a solo host and at scale. Moderator: Srini Gopal, Aspin Holiday Homes Panel: Deepanshu Nihalani, PriceLabs; Chris de Closely, Switch Hotel; Heath Delfos, Alloggio Group; Daniel Leifeld, Key Data |
| 12:00PM | 12:30PM | ASTRA Mentor Program 2025 – powered by Booking.com The Big Question: How do I connect with the right people to get the support I need? Booking.com and ASTRA are excited to introduce the inaugural ASTRA Mentor Program 2025 – powered by Booking.com. Explore how the ASTRA Mentor Program can connect you with the right people to accelerate your growth in the STR industry. Keynotes: Todd Lacey, Region Manager of Oceania, Booking.com; Aaron Taylor, ASTRA Director and BNB Made Easy  Powered by Booking.com |
| 12:30PM | 1:30PM | Lunch Grab a coffee and a bite to eat and continue the conversation! Coffee Cart Sponsored by Guesty. |
| AFTERNOON FOCUS: Harnessing Your ASTRA Membership for Growth, Advocacy, and STR Success | ||
| 1:30PM | 2:15PM | The STRA Niche: Standing Out in a Crowded Market The Big Question: How are you winning with your unique edge in the accommodation market? Why are more travellers choosing STR accommodation over traditional hotels and motels? In this session, we’ll explore the unique selling points that make STRA the preferred choice for today’s travellers. Learn how to effectively market yourself, highlight what sets you apart, and craft compelling messaging that resonates with your target audience, and build a strategy to keep your guests coming back and booking direct! Moderator: Julie George, Million Dollar Host Panel: Felicity Stevens, Sustainable Hosting; Kerry Williams, Accessible Accommodation Savannah Jackson, Hello Queenstown; Tom Ormerod - Co-Founder at Luxico |
| 2:15PM | 3:00PM | ASTRA’s Industry Commitment The Big Question: How is ASTRA driving the future of our industry? As we kick off the afternoon, join us for a brief but impactful session on ASTRA’s dedication to advancing the short-term rental industry. Learn about the key initiatives ASTRA is championing to foster a sustainable, professional, and thriving landscape. We’ll also explore how the afternoon sessions align with ASTRA’s mission to provide crucial industry support. Moderator: Yoav Tourel, ASTRA Chair and Guesty Panel: Sarah Workman, ASTRA General Manager; Catherine Shields, ASTRA Director and South Coast Escapes; Tegan Wilde, ASTRA Director and Geographe Homes; Aaron Taylor, ASTRA Director and BNB Made Easy; Nick Peirce, ASTRA Director |
| 3:00PM | 3:30PM | Coffee and Connect, Afternoon Tea Enjoy a coffee and continue connecting with new people. Coffee Cart sponsored by Guesty. |
| 3:30PM | 4:15PM | Infinity and Beyond: The Next Frontier for STR The Big Question: What’s next for STR, and how can you stay ahead of the curve? Join our expert panel as we explore what the next 5 to 10 years hold for the STR industry. From emerging trends and technology, sustainable hosting and management, to upcoming challenges and balancing humanity with AI, we’ll discuss how the landscape is evolving and what steps we should take to stay ahead. Moderator: Simon Lehmann, AJL Atelier Panel: Tim Rosolio, Vice President of Vacation Rental Partnerships, Expedia Group; Yoav Tourel, ASTRA Chair and Guesty; Craig McIntosh, Interim CEO, Homhero; Kevin Lu - Head of Oceania, Trip.com Group |
| 4:15PM | 4:30PM | Day 1 Wrap-Up As we close out an exciting first day, it’s time to reflect on the key takeaways. Simon Lehmann, AJL Atelier |
| 7:00PM | 10:00PM | ASTRA Awards Dinner is SOLD OUT. We are proud to announce our ASTRA Awards Dinner Host for 2025: Pete Smith Awards Dinner: Smart/Casual |
FRIDAY 24 OCTOBER 2025
Setting Up for Long-Term Success
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| 9:00AM | 9:15AM | Day 2 Kickoff Welcome to Day 2! Simon Lehmann, AJL Atelier |
| MORNING FOCUS: Driving Business Growth and Mastering the Art of Hosting | ||
| 9:15AM | 9:45AM | STRA Power: Fuelling Tourism and Community Growth The Big Question: How can the STR industry drive community growth and enhance local development? STR Accommodation is more than just a popular alternative to traditional lodging, it’s a powerful driver of community growth and development. Consider STRA’s role in boosting local economies, supporting community infrastructure, and enhancing visitation. Keynote: Sam O’Connor, Minister for Housing and Public Works and Minister for Youth, QLD |
| 9:45AM | 10:15AM | Travel Trends: Insights for the STR Industry The Big Question: How can you leverage the latest travel trends to stay ahead in the STR market? Gain valuable insights from Tourism Australia about current and predicted travel trends shaping the industry. Discover how these trends impact the STR market and the best ways to stay ahead. Keynote: Leigh Sorensen, Industry Relations at Tourism Australia |
| 10:15AM | 10:45AM | Coffee and Connect, Morning Tea Grab your coffee and join us for a relaxed networking session! Meet new people, exchange insights, and reflect on what you've learned so far. This is your chance to discuss key takeaways, share ideas, and build valuable relationships. Coffee Cart Sponsored by Guesty. |
| 10:45AM | 11:15AM | More information coming soon Susan Wheeldon, Airbnb Country Director AU, NZ & Oceania; Yoav Tourel, ASTRA Chair and Guesty |
| 11:15AM | 12:00PM | The Leader’s Journey: from Host to Business Manager The Big Question: What leadership skills do you need to scale your STR business effectively? The transition from host to business manager presents unique challenges. In this session, explore the different management and leadership styles needed at each stage of growth, and how to adapt your strategies to perform at each stage. Our panel will consider the challenges and best practices to growing and scaling: Moderator: Aaron Taylor, ASTRA Director and BNB Made Easy Panel: Sabrina Schwaighofer, Made Comfy; Bill Crock, Hometime; Kim Steel, Property Mums; Tim Mortimer, BNB Made Easy; Pete Smith Held in main conference room. |
| 11:15AM | 12:00PM | Marketing for Hosts: Beyond Listings – Mastering Visibility, Conversion, and Revenue. Coordinated by Booking.com The Big Question: What marketing strategies, tools, and tactics will help you maximise bookings, stand out in a competitive market, and optimise your short-term rental success? This session goes beyond generic marketing advice and dives into the actionable elements that make a listing perform at its best. Hosts will learn how to attract more bookings, increase occupancy, and maximise revenue by understanding the full spectrum of marketing in the short-term rental ecosystem. Held in Booking.com Learning Hub, Cypress Rooms Level 1. |
| 12:00PM | 1:00PM | Lunch Grab a bite to eat with a cuppa and continue the conversation! Coffee Cart Sponsored by Guesty. |
| AFTERNOON FOCUS: Maximising Profitability and Marketing Impact | ||
| 1:00PM | 1:45PM | Building Your CEO Dashboard: Driving Performance and Team The Big Question: What key metrics should you track to drive your business’s growth and performance? What is your business looking to achieve? Are you tracking the right metrics to ensure your business is thriving? Learn how to build and use a CEO dashboard to track key metrics, make data-driven decisions, and drive team performance. Moderators: Simon Lehmann, AJL Atelier Panel: Alessio Famularo, Founder and CEO, AirKeeper; Alvan Aiau Yong, Hometime; Tim Mortimer, BNB Made Easy; Tracey Foxall, Managing Director, Bachcare Held in main conference room. |
| 1:00PM | 1:15PM | Importance of Tech Stack to Effective STR Hosting |
| 1:15PM | 1:45PM | Tech Stack for Hosts: Streamlining Operations with the Right Tools The Big Question: How can you use the right tech tools to simplify operations and boost efficiency? In this session, we’ll dive into how technology can address your pain points and make hosting easier. Share your challenges with tech representatives and learn about the tools and solutions that are designed to streamline your operations. Find out what’s missing in your tech stack and how to leverage the right tools to improve efficiency and save time. Learn about: Moderator: Danny Shannon, Homhero Speakers: Bart Sobies, ibooked.online; Mitch Hargreaves, Hello Queenstown; Sam Steel, Co-Founder at Resly; Ethan Brown, Hospitable; Kyle Fitzsimmons, Cosmo Group Held in Booking.com Learning Hub, Cypress Rooms Level 1. |
| 1:45PM | 2:30PM | Industry Evolutions: Navigating & Shaping Regulations The Big Question: How can you help shape the future of STR regulations and become an advocate for the industry? Explore the evolving regulations shaping the Australian STR industry and the challenges it faces. Learn about ASTRA's efforts to ensure effective, fair regulatory frameworks and how you can contribute to these initiatives. This session will empower you to play a key role in shaping the future of STRs in Australia. Moderator: Yoav Tourel, ASTRA Chair and Guesty Speakers: Michael Crosby, Airbnb; Eacham Curry, Expedia Group; Ryan Bondar, Booking.com; Will Creedon, Alloggio Group |
| 2:30PM | 3:00PM | Coffee and Connect, Afternoon Tea It’s your last opportunity to network with colleagues and industry contacts! Coffee Cart Sponsored by Guesty. |
| 3:00PM | 3:30PM | Design That Books: Creating Scroll-Stopping Short-Stay Spaces The Big Question: How can STR hosts design their spaces to stand out, attract the right guests, and provide amazing stays? Design is one of the most powerful tools short-term rental hosts have to shape guest experience. In this session, television personality and interior designer Carlene Duffy (The Block, Open Homes Australia, Cedar & Suede) explores how thoughtful interiors can transform an ordinary property into an extraordinary stay. Hear practical insights on how to: Speakers: Carlene Duffy, Television Personality and Interior Designer; Catherine Shields, ASTRA Director and South Coast Escapes |
| 3:30PM | 4:00PM | AI Session: Creating Your Own GPTs & Understanding AI Agents The Big Question: How can AI be leveraged to accelerate the growth and success of your business? Bring your device for a practical session unpacking the most useful and impactful ways to use AI to increase efficiencies and maximize productivity in your business. Speaker: Bart Sobies, ibooked.online Held in main conference room. |
| 3:30PM | 4:00PM | Round-Table Discussion: Thriving in the New Era of Short-Term Rentals How can hosts and operators overcome today’s short-term rental challenges, deliver exceptional guest experiences, and remain profitable in a competitive, evolving market? With rising guest expectations, evolving regulations, and fluctuating market conditions, staying competitive requires smart strategies and tools. This interactive session will be an opportunity to ask questions, share feedback and learn top tips from other hosts, giving participants direct access to the insights and strategies to thrive in STR. Held in Booking.com Learning Hub, Cypress Rooms Level 1. Places are limited, so to arrive on time. |
| 4:00PM | 4:30PM | From Insight to Action: Planning Your 30–90 Day Success Path The Big Question: How can you take the insights from this conference and create a concrete plan that drives real business growth and personal success? This session combines mindset mastery with practical planning. You’ll explore how to overcome limiting beliefs, sharpen your focus, and prioritise the actions that deliver the biggest results—then translate those insights into a personalised 30–90 day plan to achieve your goals. Keynote: Aaron Taylor, BNB Made Easy |
| 4:30PM | 4:45PM | Celebrating Our Journey and Looking Ahead As we wrap up an unforgettable conference, join us for a celebration of the key moments, powerful learnings, and inspiration that have shaped our time together. We'll reflect on how the insights gained will drive our futures. Let’s close on a high note, moving forward with fresh knowledge, stronger connections, and a collective vision for success! Simon Lehmann; AJL Atelier; Yoav Tourel, ASTRA Chair and Guesty |
| 5:00PM | 6:00PM | Celebrate, Connect, and Reflect: Closing Drinks As we wrap up an inspiring few days, join us for closing drinks to celebrate the connections made and insights gained. This relaxed event is the perfect way to unwind, share conference highlights, and continue building relationships. End the conference on a high note: grab a drink, mingle, and toast to a successful event! |