Here to Stay 2026: Australia’s Premier Short-Term Rental Conference Is Now Open for Registrations
Here to Stay 2026 is the national gathering of Australia and New Zealand’s short-term rental industry. Presented by ASTRA, it takes place October 21–23 at RACV Royal Pines Resort on the Gold Coast.
If you manage a short-term rental property – whether it’s one beach house or a portfolio of two hundred listings – Here to Stay is the conference built for you. It is the only event in the Asia-Pacific region dedicated exclusively to supporting and advocating for the short-term rental accommodation sector, and in 2026 it enters its fifth year.
This post covers everything you need to know: what Here to Stay is, who it’s for, what’s on the program, why 2026 matters, and how to register.
What Is Here to Stay?
Here to Stay is Australia and New Zealand’s flagship short-term rental conference, presented annually by ASTRA – the Australia and New Zealand Short Term Rental Association. It is the only national gathering dedicated exclusively to the short-term rental accommodation (STRA) industry across Australia and New Zealand.
Now in its fifth year, Here to Stay brings together:
Short-term rental hosts – from first-time operators to experienced multi-property managers
Property management companies – agencies managing short-term rental portfolios at scale
Technology platforms and suppliers – the tools, systems, and services that power modern STR operations
Industry leaders and advocates – the people shaping the future of the sector through policy, standards, and innovation
Investors and scaling operators – those looking to grow strategically in a rapidly evolving market
Here to Stay is part of the global short-term rental conference circuit, sitting alongside the UK Short Term Rental Summit and VRMA (USA) as one of the world’s most significant industry gatherings. For operators and companies in the Asia-Pacific region, it is the essential annual event.
Here to Stay 2026: Key Details
Event name: Here to Stay Conference 2026
Presented by: ASTRA -Australia and New Zealand Short Term Rental Association
Dates: October 21–23, 2026
Venue: RACV Royal Pines Resort, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
Format: Fully immersive – accommodation, sessions, exhibition, and networking all onsite
Expected attendance: 400+ delegates
Register: heretostayconference.com
Why 2026 Is a Defining Year for Short-Term Rental in Australia
The short-term rental industry in Australia and New Zealand is navigating one of the most complex and consequential periods in its history. Five forces are reshaping the landscape simultaneously:
Regulation is accelerating. State and local governments across Australia are introducing, reviewing, and tightening short-term rental regulations. What this means for your operation depends on where you are and how prepared you are. Here to Stay 2026 dedicates significant program time to regulation, compliance, and advocacy strategy.
AI is changing how STR businesses operate. From dynamic pricing and automated guest communication to listing optimisation and revenue forecasting, artificial intelligence is no longer a future consideration – it is a present operational reality. The 2026 program includes dedicated sessions on practical AI implementation for both individual hosts and property management companies.
The housing debate is intensifying. Short-term rental is increasingly part of the national conversation about housing supply and affordability. ASTRA is actively engaged in this debate,representing the industry with evidence and advocacy. Here to Stay is where the industry aligns its response.
Technology consolidation is reshaping the supplier landscape. The platforms, tools, and services that operators rely on are evolving rapidly. Mergers, acquisitions, and new entrants are changing the competitive dynamic. The Here to Stay exhibition floor brings the most relevant suppliers together under one roof.
The operator community is maturing. The short-term rental industry in Australia is professionalising at pace. Standards are rising. Expectations are higher. The operators who thrive in 2026 and beyond are those who are informed, connected, and growing alongside the industry – not behind it.
Here to Stay 2026 is designed for exactly this moment.
What Happens at Here to Stay?
Here to Stay is a three-day, fully immersive conference experience. All delegates stay, eat, learn, and network at the same venue – RACV Royal Pines Resort on the Gold Coast. This format is deliberate. It creates more time together, more meaningful conversations, and more commercial outcomes than any standard day-conference format.
Day 1 -Wednesday 21 October: Welcome Networking Event
The conference begins with a high-energy welcome networking function. This is where first conversations happen, old friendships are renewed, and the tone for three days is set. It is informal, social, and one of the most valuable parts of the conference experience.
Days 2 & 3 -Thursday & Friday 22–23 October: Conference Sessions
Two full days of curated industry content across three program pillars:
Better Hosting – practical sessions on guest experience, revenue management, pricing, marketing, technology, AI tools, and operational performance
Industry Leadership – sessions on regulation, policy, government engagement, advocacy strategy, housing debates, ASTRA updates, and the future of the sector
Community Connection – roundtables, workshops, peer learning, mentoring sessions, and founder stories
Sessions are designed to move away from passive formats. Expect more workshops, guided discussions, and interactive peer sessions – and fewer one-way panels.
Thursday Evening -ASTRA Awards Gala Dinner
The annual ASTRA Industry Awards recognise excellence across the short-term rental industry. Categories span individual hosts, property managers, suppliers, and industry contributors. The awards dinner is a celebration of the best the industry has to offer.
Exhibition Floor
Running across both conference days, the Here to Stay exhibition floor brings together the leading technology platforms, property management tools, revenue management systems, legal and compliance services, insurance providers, and industry suppliers. Delegates meet vendors, explore solutions, and make commercial decisions in a focused, high-quality environment.
Who Should Attend Here to Stay 2026?
Here to Stay is for anyone who operates in or serves the short-term rental ecosystem in Australia and New Zealand. Specifically:
You should attend if you are:
- An individual short-term rental host looking to improve your operation and connect with the community
- A property management company seeking knowledge, connections, and commercial opportunities
- A supplier, technology provider, or service business serving the STR sector
- An investor or property developer with exposure to short-term rental
- An industry professional, consultant, or advisor working in the STRA space
- A new entrant to the industry who wants to understand the landscape quickly and comprehensively
Here to Stay is NOT a general hospitality or tourism conference. Every session, every speaker, every exhibitor, and every delegate is here specifically for short-term rental. This focus creates a uniquely concentrated and relevant experience that broader industry events simply cannot match.
What Is ASTRA and Why Do They Run This Conference?
ASTRA -the Australia and New Zealand Short Term Rental Association -is the only not-for-profit, member-based association dedicated exclusively to representing the short-term rental industry across Australia and New Zealand.
ASTRA exists to:
- Advocate for fair, evidence-based regulation at state and federal level
- Represent operators and suppliers in government consultations and policy processes
- Elevate professional standards across the sector
- Build the unity and connection that makes the industry stronger
Every dollar generated by the Here to Stay Conference is reinvested directly into ASTRA’s advocacy, policy engagement, research, and member support work. When you register for Here to Stay, you are not just buying a conference ticket – you are directly funding the organisation that fights for your right to operate.
Here to Stay 2026: Five Years in the Making
Here to Stay launched in 2022 with a clear purpose: give Australia’s short-term rental industry its own gathering. A place to align, to learn, to advocate, and to build the relationships that move the whole sector forward.
Five years later, that purpose is unchanged – but the conference, the industry, and the stakes have all grown considerably.
Year Five is a milestone. But more than that, it arrives at precisely the moment the industry needs it most. The conversations that happen at RACV Royal Pines Resort in October 2026 will shape how Australian STR operators respond to regulation, adopt technology, engage with government, and build businesses that last.
Here to Stay. The name was always more than a conference title. It’s a statement about this industry.
Questions? Contact the ASTRA team at [membership@myastra.com.au] or call [08 8100 3048].
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Here to Stay 2026? Here to Stay 2026 is Australia’s premier short-term rental conference, presented by ASTRA. It takes place October 21–23, 2026 at RACV Royal Pines Resort on the Gold Coast, and brings together 400+ short-term rental operators, property managers, suppliers, and industry leaders.
When is Here to Stay 2026? Here to Stay 2026 runs from Wednesday 21 October to Friday 23 October 2026.
Where is Here to Stay 2026? The conference is held at RACV Royal Pines Resort, Ross Street, Benowa, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia.
Who organises Here to Stay? Here to Stay is presented by ASTRA – the Australia and New Zealand Short Term Rental Association – the only not-for-profit dedicated exclusively to the STR industry in Australia and New Zealand.
Who should attend Here to Stay? Here to Stay is for short-term rental hosts, property management companies, STR technology providers and suppliers, investors, and industry professionals operating in or serving the Australian and New Zealand short-term rental market.
Is Here to Stay suitable for individual hosts with just one or two properties? Yes. Here to Stay welcomes hosts at every stage – from those managing a single property to those managing hundreds. The program includes sessions specifically designed for individual operators, and the community experience is genuinely valuable regardless of portfolio size.
How do I register for Here to Stay 2026? Registrations are open at heretostayconference.com. Super Early release pricing is available until 21 May 2026.
What is the cost to attend Here to Stay 2026? Pricing categories are outlined on the Registration page of the website, linked in the top right hand corner of every page. Group rates are available for three or more attendees from the same organisation.
Is accommodation included in the conference registration? Accommodation is not included in the registration fee but is available at RACV Royal Pines Resort at a conference rate. Staying onsite is strongly recommended. Accommodation details are provided at registration.
What is ASTRA? ASTRA is the Australia and New Zealand Short Term Rental Association – the only not-for-profit, member-based industry association dedicated exclusively to representing the short-term rental accommodation sector across Australia and New Zealand.
Is Here to Stay part of a global conference circuit? Yes. Here to Stay is recognised as the Asia-Pacific pillar of the global short-term rental conference circuit, alongside the UK Short Term Rental Summit and VRMA (USA).
How do I find out about speaking or sponsorship opportunities at Here to Stay 2026? Partnership and sponsorship enquiries: [membership@myastra.com.au]. Speaking opportunities are curated by the ASTRA program team – contact us to discuss.
