Speakers

I am a dedicated accounting and financial management professional, holding a Bachelor’s Degree in Financial Accounting. Since April 2021, I have been the Accounts and Revenue Manager at Alloggio PTY LTD t/a Weekenda, managing Trust Accounts and Revenue for hundreds of properties. My skills include daily revenue management, budgeting, banking operations, and client management. I excel in implementing streamlined financial processes and using advanced software to enhance efficiency and accuracy. Currently, I serve as the CEO of Dynamic Revenue Management, where I assist clients across Australia with Revenue Management and Trust Accounts.

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Andrew Oscari brings more than 30 years of experience across real estate, business strategy and investment. A licensed real estate agent, Andrew focuses on revenue maximisation in fast-growing markets, tailored business and investment strategies for property owners and landlords, and superior rental and guest experiences. His expertise across the Victorian property and rental market is invaluable to ASTRA’s growing footprint in the state.

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Amanda Walker, CEO of Aussie Holiday Stays, is not afraid to shake things up in the short term rental space. After achieving considerable traction with her initial booking platform in Western Australia, she has now gone national with Aussie Holiday Stays. Aussie Holiday Stays is a booking platform with heart for Australian holiday accommodation. Amanda’s experience as a host, her corporate finance background and passion for creating value-led businesses has been integral to her business success. Amanda has also enjoyed external recognition being named in the Business News 40u40, as a finalist in WA Tourism Awards and INCITE awards.

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Following a career in international event management at BMW Australia, Ashlea followed her passion for interiors and opened her own interior styling and homewares store in 2015 and has been styling and decorating homes since. Ashlea now heads up our Interior Design and Styling Service and works closely with the team at Property Mums and clients to ensure houses are set up beautifully to cater for a wide range of guests. She is committed to creating beautiful functional spaces for either living in or for guests and owners to enjoy. 

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Bart is a pivotal figure in the Short-Term Rental and tourism sectors, founding The Accommodation Show, iBooked.Online, and STRIVE conference. He’s transformed the industry with strategies that merge technology, direct bookings, and branding. He also founded the Accommodation Professionals Community, supporting over 2,400 members. His upcoming STRive to Thrive conferences in Melbourne and Auckland in 2025 showcase his commitment to industry growth. Under his guidance, iBooked.Online excels in website development for accommodation businesses, enhancing their direct booking capabilities and establishing them as leaders.

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After 25 years as an owner-host and over 30 as a property investor, Catherine has seen the industry evolve and has become an advocate for the visitor economy along the way. Her “why” is saving heritage properties and has renovated beach shacks, country cottages, an art deco department store, a historic home in Sydney and a farmhouse with convent and Sunday school attached. She has headed up a number of tourism boards and was most recently Chair of Destination Sydney Surrounds South for the NSW government. She was a key instigator of the NSW Agritourism planning changes and now chairs ASTRA’s policy and advocacy committee.

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Craig is the Founder, Owner and Managing Director of SleepOver Brisbane, a premier boutique short-term accommodation and property management company.

He transformed a humble 1-bedroom New Farm apartment into a thriving business.

Since launching in 2017, SleepOver Brisbane has grown organically to manage over 100 premium properties in Brisbane, consistently earning a 4.9-star rating on Airbnb while maintaining coveted SuperHost status.

Craig is also a super proud Airbnb Community Host Leader. He holds a full Real Estate license and brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the industry.

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Dan de Witte is a dedicated advocate for sustainable STR management. A residential builder by trade, Dan and his wife Lauren run Moxxi Property, Tasmania’s largest STR operation. Dan’s infectious passion for sustainable practices, technology, and reducing single-use plastics lead to founding SustainableCollective.co – Empowering short-term rentals with eco-conscious products, boosting efficiencies, and reducing waste. Transforming the industry one property at a time.

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Founder of Canbnb-CanStay, Dan White has grown his company to manage over 180 listings as a side-gig, whilst working full time. Dan heads Canberra’s largest STR business and is an industry pioneer in automation – advocating for delegation and the complementary use of AI and offshore staff. Dan advises on business and investment strategies related to STR.

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After 25-years in hospitality across UK and Australasia, I transitioned to residential leasing and now short term holiday rentals 5 years ago. I oversee a portfolio of 50+ Bayside & City properties and lead a dedicated team of housekeepers and VA’s providing exceptional experiences for our guests. My role also encompasses new software implementation and driving sales growth in the business. The unwavering dedication and can-do spirit of the Property Mums team makes for an inspiring place to work as we all balance a passion for guest experience, owner satisfaction coupled with the flexibility of remote working and family life.

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David Harris has over 20 years of experience in the short-stay rental industry, having started in 2003. As the owner and manager of Aussie Chillout, he oversees seven properties across Australia, offering affordable, comfortable accommodations with a personal touch. His deep commitment to the industry is reflected in his role as the longest-serving director at ASTRA and his leadership of the ‘Here to Stay’ Conference for the past three years. David’s approach to property management emphasizes direct bookings and exceptional guest experiences, leveraging his extensive expertise to ensure every stay is memorable and hassle-free.

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Deepanshu is a seasoned professional in the short-term rental (STR) industry with a wealth of experience in Sales and Customer Success. Currently serving as the Solutions Consultant – APAC for PriceLabs, he plays a key role in expanding the company’s presence across the region. His expertise spans establishing market presence, conducting demos, and hosting educational webinars on dynamic pricing in the STR space. Known as the go-to person for all things APAC, Deepanshu is dedicated to helping clients leverage data and technology to optimize their revenue management strategies.

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Eacham Curry is the Senior Director of Government and Corporate Affairs for the Asia-Pacific Region for Expedia. In this role, Eacham manages the interface between Expedia and its government, community, industry and media stakeholders. Expedia and its family of brands look to Eacham for advice and management of key political, regulatory and industry relationships, as well as a being the key spokesperson on public policy matters that impact the business. Eacham is an expert in political affairs and political campaigning and is a veteran of 22 political campaigns over 22 years.

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With a robust corporate background, I’ve transitioned to the short-term rental industry about a year ago. After starting a co-hosting business, I quickly realized the need in resources for other hosts in the industry. This led to creation of My Perfect Host Marketplace. The platform enables hosts and providers to list services, fostering growth and elevating standards. My mission is to empower hosts with the tools and networks for success.

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After starting my career in real estate specialising in property management, I took a break to focus on raising my four children as a stay-at-home mum for nearly two decades. When my youngest child started school, i decided to return to the workforce and re-entered the property management sector part-time. Seeking more flexibility, I joined Property Mums, a company known for its support of working mothers. Initially starting part-time, I quickly transitioned to a full-time role, where I now plays a key part in managing short term rentals on the Mornington Peninsula.

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Ethan has been an Aussie short-term rental host since 2019, managing the two properties he owns with the help of his wife and two dogs. Now with 10+ years experience in the short-term rental, travel and tourism industry. Ethan started out his time with Hospitable.com as a customer, before joining the team and becoming Director of Hospitable Australia, APAC Team Lead, and Senior Customer Advocate. Ethan helps fellow hosts to use the power of automation to save time and improve guest experience. 

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Felicity has been pioneering sustainable hospitality for 12 years. Recognising the demand for eco-conscious travel, Felicity launched Sustainable Hosts to guide other STR owners. She provides practical, cost-effective strategies for reducing emissions and waste, backed by her extensive experience in the circular economy and community initiatives. Her innovative approach has garnered a loyal guest following and proven the viability of sustainable practices in the STR market.

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With nearly 11 years in STR Management in almost all roles and facets of the business, Georgia, a Mum to 3 girls, has focused on systemising and scaling the family business to over 240 properties through organic growth. Implementing strategies that drove significant financial growth and profitability led to the successful sale and transition of the business to Alloggio in 2023. Currently, as New Business Development Manager, she leverages an extensive local network to drive business expansion, rebranding Weekenda/Alloggio as the largest and most trusted accommodation provider, welcoming over 120 new owners in the last 24 months.

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Geoff Gedge has been a host for 16 years, 12 with Airbnb, managing two beautiful properties in Hepburn Springs, Victoria. As an Airbnb Community Leader, SuperHost, Ambassador, and Co-Host, Geoff assists other hosts with 16 additional properties, ensuring seamless guest experiences. Beyond hosting, Geoff is an accomplished investment banker, specializing in raising capital and developing market strategies for hospitality businesses. His dual passion for hospitality and finance has made him a trusted figure both in the Airbnb community and the broader hospitality industry.

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Hayden comes from a background in both accommodation and technology. Having worked from the ground up over many years in hotels including Reservations Agent, Revenue Management and management roles, Hayden learned all facets to running a successful accommodation business.

After leaving the Hotel industry to work in accommodation technology. Together with his co-founders seeing a gap in the industry Hayden co-founded the Holiday Rental Software, Homhero in 2016. Alongside this venture, Hayden also founded Coast Holiday Management in 2019 who now manage over 160 holiday properties along the Queensland south coast.

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Jake Falkinder is the General Manager of HomHero. With a strong focus on addressing the nuances of local short term rental markets through innovation and continuous improvement, Jake helps HomHero partners to stay ahead of the curve. His technology background spans across some of the world’s leading hotels, aviation and retail travel brands in conjunction with tourism bodies across the globe, providing Jake with a solid foundation to tackle any travel & accommodation challenge. Jake is committed to embracing the future challenges and opportunities that continue to arise within our community.

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James Ho, Head of Supply at Airbnb, leads the market management team for hosts across Australia & New Zealand. Throughout his 17 year career has helped grow and scale businesses from start-up stage to IPO and has implemented a number of large business transformation projects. At Airbnb, he continues to focused on helping hosts scale and grow sustainably on the platform. He has held general management positions at Qantas, LinkedIn, Apple and Hipcamp across domains including sales, operations, strategy and finance. James holds an MBA from AGSM and Bachelor degrees in Physics and Aerospace Engineering from the University of Sydney.

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Calling the Snowy Mountains NSW home I’ve had a diverse small business and admin background. In 2011, we founded a full-service boutique real estate agency focused on the best possible visitor accommodation experience. I have served on the boards of the Tourism Snowy Mountains and ASTRA, and I am passionate about regional potential and the role of ASTRA in the accommodation sector. My time with ASTRA was during the formation of the NSW CoC for STRA, with the legislative process as my specialty. I have continued to serve on the NSW Property Services Expert Panel for the last three years as their property management and STRA specialist.

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Jodie Odin, the founder of Tetbury Escapes in the picturesque Cotswolds, UK, is a multifaceted professional. As a host, property manager, author, and publisher, Jodie leads the Hospitable Hosts Movement, aiming to transform hospitality standards in short-term rentals through education. With a background in hospitality management and a career in five-star hotels worldwide, she gathered 146 professional hosts from around the world to share their stories in the book series Hospitable Hosts. Jodie extends her influence through a Training Academy, a Podcast, a Global Vacation Rentals Page, and a short term rental hospitality accreditation.

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Justin Ford, a globally recognized expert in short-term rental (STR) safety, has significantly improved safety standards in STRs worldwide. With numerous international newscast appearances and over 100 podcast interviews, he champions global STR safety initiatives and frequently presents to industry organisations. As Director of Safety & Certification Programs at Breezeway, Justin has overseen 100,000+ STR safety inspections, advancing Breezeway’s mission through its property care software. A runner-up for the ShortTerm Rentalz ‘Shortyz’ Pioneer Award in 2023 and 2024, Justin continues to shape the STR industry.

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Julie George is the Author of the ‘Million Dollar Host’ which outlines her story and unique STR property management business model that resulted in a portfolio of 130 properties and generated more than $8million income in 3 years. This Australian business woman is now featured in media and on stages globally and is recognised for her contagious energy and enthusiasm. As one of the most influential names in the Short-Term Rental industry she supports, mentors and inspires thousands of Hosts worldwide. Julie offers consulting, mentoring and facilitates the #1 Global Mastermind Community in the world.

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Karen is the Co-Founder of Orana Stay – creators of intuitive digital guidebooks and guest experience apps that delight guests and generate revenue for accommodation providers. Holding a Bachelor of Commerce she recruited at the highest level of Financial and Professional Services which led to a deep insight into business. A passion for real estate led to Karen gaining her Real Estate accreditation and successfully running short term rentals. With a mantra of “Hospitality can be Better” Karen places the guest at the centre of product development and enhancement. As a LinkedIn Top Voice she thrives on sharing insights into the accommodation sector. Highlights have been contributing to AccomNews and I-PRAC’s Trust Trilogy Series.

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Karen Howard serves as the Deputy Chair of the Board of ASTRA. She is a highly regarded business leader and award-winning entrepreneur, with over 23 years’ experience as a Non-Executive Director, Board, and Committee Chair. Throughout her career, Karen has contributed to dozens of boards across various sectors, including tourism, property, small business, health, and education. Karen is deeply committed to member-based advocacy Associations, ensuring that members receive the necessary support and that their voices are effectively represented to regulatory decision-makers. Karen is the co-founder of the Alloggio Group.

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I founded a digital marketing platform South Coast Experiences as a connection across the holiday accommodation market and experience businesses for the travel industry. I work with business partners offering them additional marketing via the media opportunities that come to me and the ambassadorship program I have begun, working with influencers and journalists that match our demographic and can grow the profile of each business. This element has offered great opportunity for business growth for each business involved along with control when working with influencers and journalists.

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Kate has been marketing holiday rentals since 2006, helping brands such as Holiday Lettings, TripAdvisor Vacation Rentals, Original Cottages, Touch Stay and Release NZ. She’s been a travel industry pundit for the BBC, ran a seafood restaurant in the UK’s most inland city, and she consistently seeks memorable guest experiences whether in Michelin star restaurants or riding pillion across Europe with just a pannier to pack! Communication is her passion project – helping brands build stronger reputations for more sustainable growth.

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Kim Richardson has been a web applications developer for the majority of his working life and is currently serving as a Director of HOMHERO, a position held since January 2018. Based on the Gold Coast, Queensland, Kim oversees development and integration strategies and plays a technical advisory role within the global vacation rental software industry. Kim has been involved in the accommodation industry since 2007, first developing affiliate booking sites and then moving on to building one of the first mobile responsive booking engines through his startup Reshub, which was acquired by HomHero in late 2017.

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I have been a property investor for 28 years and changed from permanent rentals to short term rental properties 18 years ago. Over the years I have developed a financial formula that I follow when searching for our next investment, if the formula is followed then the properties will generate around 20% return, some of mine are now at 30-40%. Being able to run the properties around my family gave me an enormous sense of achievement, one I wanted to share with other mums. Property Mums now employs mums to look after 160 plus homes. Watching the difference our little Property Mum economy makes is the best feeling in the world.

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Kyle Fitzsimmons is the Managing Director of Cosmo, leading innovation in Australia’s short-term rental sector. With expertise in portfolio management and digital solutions, Kyle developed Cosmo’s Progressive Web App (PWA), providing real-time portfolio metrics, booking analysis, and scheduling tools for property owners. As a Director of the Australian Short Term Rental Association (ASTRA), he advocates for industry growth. Based in Cremorne, Victoria, Kyle is focused on scaling Cosmo and driving growth through strategic partnerships.

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Located in Cairns, Maddy began her journey in the short-term rental industry seven years ago. Over this period, she has gained extensive experience working for multiple short-term rental management companies, managing large, luxury portfolios across Australia. Currently, Maddy is the executive assistant to Julie George, widely known as the Million Dollar Host. In addition to her role with Julie George, Maddy has founded Short Stay EA, offering her executive assisting services to hosts around the globe. She is also a published author, contributing to the Hospitable Hosts book series. 

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Mark transitioned to real estate and mortgage broking after his performing career. Working with prestigious firms like Bresic Whitney and Homesmart/YBR, he fine-tuned his real estate acumen, specialising in the short-term rental market. Mark regularly shares his insights at investment seminars, covering income maximisation, styling requisites, travel trends, and more. He has been featured on various podcasts, establishing himself as an expert in the Australian short-stay market. MaisonNets stands as a testament after 7 years to Mark’s dedication to empowering property owners and aspiring investors. 

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Melanie Fairbairn is an accomplished hospitality expert with more than 20 years of experience in delivering top-tier customer service in the luxury accommodation and tourism sectors. In 2017, she launched Team BnB, expanding it from a single property to 50 of Noosa’s top performing listings through deliberate, organic, and sustainable growth. Team BnB is now regarded as one of Noosa’s leading short term rental providers. Mel and her team are committed to maintaining the highest standards, focusing on creating outstanding guest experiences and building lasting partnerships with their property owners.

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Michael Crosby leads engagement with governments in Australia and New Zealand to deliver fair and sustainable rules for short-term rental accommodation, which balance appropriate responsibilities for hosts with the contributions made by the sector to local visitor economies and small businesses. Michael joined Airbnb in 2022 from the telecommunications sector, where he spent almost five years in government and public affairs roles. He has worked extensively as a political adviser in both Australia and the United Kingdom, advising high-profile Ministers and office holders over a number of years.

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Oliver Stern is an STR industry diehard, originally from Minneapolis in the USA. He got his start in the industry as a housekeeper for a local property management company, rapidly rising within the organization. After his first trade show in 2019, he realized his passion for sales & business development, and after three years of portfolio growth, joined the “vendor side” with Wheelhouse. Now several years into his tech journey, Oliver directs sales & business development across new markets for Wheelhouse, focusing on Europe & ANZ. He is a digital nomad, residing between London, Barcelona, Denver, and hopefully soon Melbourne. Come say hello!

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Founder of Weekenda although recently retired. Over 15 years experience in building one of the STR Industry most respected brands. Now focused on assisting others to grow, learn and develop their STR businesses.

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Quirin is a seasoned entrepreneur and business leader with deep expertise in the travel and accommodation industry. As the co-founder and co-CEO of MadeComfy, he has played a pivotal role in building the company into a multi-award-winning leader in property management and short-term rentals (STR) across ANZ. Leveraging its unique tech platform, MadeComfy empowers real estate agencies and corporate businesses to efficiently scale in the STR market. Before founding MadeComfy, Quirin gained extensive sector knowledge through various leadership roles and ventures, and he holds an MBA from the Australian Graduate School of Management (AGSM).

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I have been in the Vacation Rental Industry for over 21 years and joined Key Data in November 2022 as Vice President of Business Development, to help internationalise and expand the business outside of the US. Prior to Key Data I was Sales Director at Awaze UK for 19 years and have seen a huge amount of change and development in the industry, spanning two decades. At Awaze, I was responsible for partnerships and integrations with 500 brand partners, thousands of travel agents, affiliates and in the latter decade, the partnerships with the OTAs. This is an industry that I love with a passion!

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Simon Lehmann boasts 20+ years in the vacation rental industry, expertly navigating its complexities with stakeholders worldwide. He offers tailored, data-driven solutions to enhance operational excellence and profitability. A passionate speaker, Simon regularly engages global audiences at short-term rental conferences, sharing insights that foster sustainable growth.

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Tim Myatt is a Manager within the Visitor Economy division at Austrade. Tim has previously held roles at Department of Industry, Science and Resources, Department of Treasury and Comcare. Austrade have published tools like the Sustainability Toolkit and Framework to help businesses on their sustainability journey.

Tim Rosolio, VP of Vacation Rental Partnerships, has a comprehensive end-to-end view of the short-term rental business. He is a subject matter expert in vacation rentals (VR) and his leadership and involvement include working on a number of key projects and initiatives at Vrbo such as our monetization strategy, VR competitiveness, acquisition, readiness and the Fast Start program. In addition to his eight years of experience in the VR line of business, Tim understands what our Vrbo hosts need because he is one! Prior to being VP of Partner Success, he worked on the Expedia for Business Strategy & Transformation team.

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As Regional Manager of Oceania for Booking.com, Todd Lacey leads and oversees Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands, managing business growth, operations and strategy, based in the Sydney office. 

Lacey has been part of the Booking.com team since 2015. Prior to his current role, Todd acted as interim Country Manager for South Korea, responsible for the commercial performance of the business and developing partnership opportunities to grow accommodation supply. Before this, he was Country Manager for New Zealand, focused on building Booking.com’s alternative accommodation and home sector. He has also managed teams across Victoria, Tasmania and South Australia.

Todd is an avid traveller who particularly enjoys exploring new cultures and cuisines within
Asia-Pacific. From bustling cities of Tokyo and Bangkok to the serenity of Bali, Todd is drawn to
the diversity of experiences and landscapes that can be found in this region. In his free time,
Todd also likes to spend time fishing or enjoying the coastlines of Australia and New Zealand.

He is a proud supporter of LegaSea, a non-profit organisation that works to promote more sustainable oceans by campaigning for changes to the way coast fisheries are managed. When he’s not travelling or fishing, you can find him watching AFL, Rugby or Formula 1.

Todd holds a Bachelor’s degree in Commerce (B.com), and a Master’s degree in Entrepreneurship and Entrepreneurial Studies from the University of Otago, New Zealand

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With 30+ years of global hospitality expertise, Will & wife Karen founded Alloggio in 2015. Now managing ~3,000 properties worth $3.4+ billion, Alloggio extends to NZ & diversifies into budget hotels. Will’s vision led Alloggio to become the first STRA business listed on the ASX in 2021. In 2023, he orchestrated its privatisation amid challenging markets to accelerate strategic goals. Will’s approach blends local insights with global perspective, driving growth through organic expansion & acquisitions. His commitment to hospitality excellence & market foresight cements Alloggio’s leadership in the STRA sector across Australia.

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I love to travel and to provide others with amazing experiences when they travel for holidays or for work. Co-founding and building Hometime over the past 9 years has been an exciting and humbling experience – highlights include building an incredible team, working with other incredible businesses, and being a part of the STR growth story.

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As the Head of Public Affairs for APAC, Yang Li is responsible for government relations, stakeholder engagement, reputation management and regulatory affairs across 12 markets in the Asia Pacific. Yang is passionate about ensuring the business grows in a sustainable and ethical manner while building trusted win-win relationships.

Prior to joining Booking.com, Yang held senior roles in public affairs and public policy at a global delivery platform and a global electronic cigarette company.

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Yoav Tourel is the Managing Director of APAC at Guesty and the Chair of the Board of Directors at ASTRA. With a strong focus on innovation and growth, Yoav helps Guesty partners address their pain points, ensuring they leverage technology to streamline operations and enhance guest experiences. His leadership at ASTRA involves amplifying members’ voices and advocating for their interests while driving the professionalisation and advancement of the travel and accommodation sector. Yoav is committed to fostering industry growth and preparing stakeholders for future challenges and opportunities.

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