For eleven years, Sean Rakidzich has been a pioneer in the short term rental industry. He currently owns and operates 155 Airbnb properties across eight cities. In 2021, he fully automated his company and stepped away for a year while the business continued to grow. Sean sees short term rentals as more than cash flow, he focuses on building value driven organisations that stand out and outlast the competition.
Melissa is a leading advocate for accessible travel and a qualified access consultant with over a decade of experience, helping tourism operators create inclusive, welcoming accommodation grounded in lived experience. She works across Australia and the Pacific with operators and governments to deliver practical, cost-effective accessibility improvements that strengthen businesses and open doors to a broader travel market.
Trevor is one of Australia’s most respected voices in the accommodation and management rights sectors, known for his advocacy for fairness, professionalism and collaboration. He will unpack the complex relationship between short-term rental accommodation, body corporates and building management, exploring practical ways to create harmony and opportunity across strata..
Kylie is a business strategist, hospitality coach and former owner of Stockholm’s first authentic Aussie pub, with global experience across tourism and short-term rental accommodation (STRA). Kylie will share practical insights on customer first, data driven strategies, powered by AI, to grow STRA businesses and elevate guest experiences.
Heidi is a highly respected tourism and lifestyle photographer with over 20 years’ experience capturing destinations through a creative, story-led lens. Her work goes beyond beautiful imagery to inspire travel decisions and deliver visually striking campaigns that strengthen brands and drive engagement.
Garrett is a strategic insights leader with over 15 years’ experience in market research, transforming complex data into actionable insights across tourism and policy. At the STRA Summit 2026, he will share key STRA data insights, including why short-term rental accommodation was the preferred choice for international travellers to Australia in 2024
Katharine is a powerhouse in digital marketing, helping businesses across Australia cut through the noise with smart, authentic social media strategies. With over 20 years’ experience in Hospitality Management and Marketing, Katharine will share insights and strategies to help you elevate your STRA business’s social media presence and engage your audience more effectively.
Ryan has over 20 years’ experience in SEO, Google Ads and digital strategy, helping organisations turn complex marketing into practical, measurable growth. He is known for translating technical concepts into clear and actionable insights.
Professor O’Connor is one of Australia’s leading tourism researchers, using evidence based insights to challenge assumptions about short-term rental accommodation (STRA) and the impacts of regulation. Professor O'Conner will share his latest research from the University of Adelaide and global case studies, including New York City, highlighting how smarter, data driven policy can shape a stronger STRA industry.
Nicole supports tourism operators including STRA owners and operators, to maximise the value of their digital presence and distribution. Nicole will provide an introduction to ATDW, share practical guidance on creating an effective accommodation profile and offer insights into ATDW’s distribution channels to help STRA owners and operators boost their direct bookings.
With extensive experience in property investment and financial strategy, Greg will be unpacking everything you need to know about the financial side of short-term rental accommodation (STRA), from how to buy and structure your investments to growing a high performing portfolio and identifying where the next investment hotspots might be. Whether you are a seasoned operator or just starting your STRA journey, Greg’s session will arm you with the insights and tools to make smarter, more strategic investment decisions.
Connie Bonaros MLC (SA Best) is a tireless advocate for women’s rights, safety and equality will be joining us as a speaker at the 2026 STRA Summit in Adelaide! Connie’s commitment to creating a fairer, safer environment for women and girls is something we deeply admire and we know firsthand how vital that work is.
Maxine is the Owner of Experience Augusta, a leading accommodation provider in Augusta, Western Australia. Through Experience Augusta, Maxine offers a wide range of accommodation options, including short-term rental accommodation (STRA) and campground stays, helping visitors experience the very best of the region. Recently, Maxine and her husband Tim expanded their portfolio with the purchase of a local caravan park in Augusta, completing a unique accommodation offering that spans the full visitor experience, from the humble patch of grass to premium beachfront holiday homes. Maxine brings more than local expertise to her role. She previously worked with Qantas and spent 5 years travelling the world, working with some of the largest international hotel chains across multiple continents. This global industry experience provides her with a broad perspective on tourism, guest experience, and accommodation operations at every level. With deep roots in the local community and tourism sector, Maxine is also a Western Australia Board Member of the Short Term Accommodation Association Australia (STAAA), where she advocates for responsible, sustainable short-term accommodation and supports operators across the state. Maxine manages her growing business portfolio and extensive community commitments while raising three children, all during the six months of the year her husband spends working away at sea aboard the RSV Nuyina. A passionate regional tourism operator and proud small business owner, she is an active contributor to her community, serving as a treasured member of the Augusta CWA and supporting the Augusta Junior Football Club. Maxine brings global perspective, practical industry insight, resilience, and a strong regional voice to every conversation about tourism, accommodation, and community.
Born in Galloway, Scotland, David Speirs grew up on a dairy farm prior to his family immigrating to Australia in 2002 when he was 17. He studied Law and Environmental Studies at the University of Adelaide, graduating in 2008. David was elected to local government in 2010, serving on the City of Marion council until 2014 when he was elected to the Parliament of South Australia, representing the seat of Bright and later the seat of Black in Adelaide’s southern suburbs. David served as Minister for Environment and Water between 2018 and 2022, becoming one of South Australia’s youngest ministers in history. During his time as Environment Minister he opened South Australia’s reservoirs for recreation, expanded the state’s national park network, grew the ranger workforce by some 45% and initiated a nation-leading ban on single use plastics. Following the defeat of the Liberal Government in the 2022 state election, David was elevated to Leader of the Opposition, serving in this position from April 2022 until August 2024. He stepped down from parliament in October 2024 and has spent his time since concentrating on environmental and mental health advocacy.
Blaire is co-owner of Twin Palms Holiday Rentals, Chief Operating Officer (COO) at Simonds Homes and Victoria Board Member of the Short Term Accommodation Association Australia (STAAA). Blaire brings extensive experience from the residential construction and building industry. Prior to joining Simonds Homes as Chief Operating Officer, she spent eight years as Operations Manager at Carlisle Homes and nine years at Metricon, developing deep expertise in large-scale operations, leadership and business performance. Alongside her executive career, Blaire co-owns and operates Twin Palms Holiday Rentals, providing her with hands on experience in the short-term rental accommodation (STRA) sector. Her combined experience across construction, executive leadership and STRA ownership gives her a well rounded perspective on the evolving property and regulatory landscape.
Andrew McMaster is a CPA with over 30 years experience in senior finance roles in Hobart. He has held various CFO and senior management over the past 10 years covering the not-for-profit sector, local government, ASX listed companies and privately owned organisations. He has been a CPA mentor for many years working with mid career finance managers looking to take a step up with their careers. Of recent times he has set up a business coaching business and works with companies looking to improve their ERP systems or finance team structures. As part of his business coaching, he offers people under 18 years of age free sessions to explore business ideas. He is the owner of a small portfolio of STRA properties in Richmond, Tasmania and is happy to offer support to others starting out on their short term rental accommodation (STRA) journey.
The Hon. Lensink was a committee member on the South Australian parliametnary inquiry into STRA in 2025. At the STRA Summit 2026, the Hon. Lensink will be sharing insights from the Liberal Party's work and their own conclusions. As a Member of the South Australian Legislative Council and Shadow Minister for Planning, Housing and Women, Michelle brings her experience across planning, housing and community policy, making her perspective especially valuable for our South Australian attendees.
Brad Wagg is the Director of Stakeholder Engagement, Education and Policy at Consumer, Building and Occupational Services (CBOS) in Tasmania. CBOS has administrative responsibility for the Short Stay Accommodation Act 2019 (Tas). Prior to his current role at CBOS, Brad was CEO of a Commission of Inquiry and has previously worked in management, legislative and policy roles at the Department of Justice, and as Crown Counsel at the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.
Keiran brings more than 25 years of legal experience across the UK and Australia, alongside over 21 years as a short-term rental accommodation (STRA) owner operator in both countries. As Executive Director of the Short Term Accommodation Association Australia (STAAA), she leads industry advocacy at all levels of government nationwide.
Daniel has 20 years experience in the Metro Fire Service and is Community Engagement officer with the MFS. He will be covering Fire Safety in short-term rental accommodation (STRA).
Fiona has been in this role since 2015. Under her leadership, the ASSC has grown to represent over 1,500 members and is now one of Scotland’s most influential tourism trade bodies. Fiona is a nationally recognised voice in tourism policy and legal reform, with a pivotal role in shaping short-term let licensing, planning law, and visitor levy policy. She is Vice Chair of the Scottish Tourism Alliance Policy Group and a founding Director of Scottish Agritourism. Fiona also lectures on tourism regulation and legal frameworks at academic institutions including Edinburgh Napier University and the University of the West of Scotland. In recognition of her outstanding contribution to tourism, Fiona was awarded an MBE in the 2025 King’s Birthday Honours List. She was also named CEO of the Year 2023 and 2025, Tourism Individual of the Year (West) at the 2024 Scottish Thistle Awards and Specialist Director of the Year ((Tourism Policy and Reform) at the 2025 Institute of Directors Awards. Her work champions fair regulation, rural enterprise, sustainable tourism, and the resilience of Scotland’s visitor economy.
Nick Jones is the Executive Director of the Destination Development Group at the South Australia Tourism Commission (SATC) and he has a key focus of driving the supply side of the South Australian tourism industry.
Susan McDaid is the Coordinator of Business and System Improvements with the Registers team at Consumer Protection. In this role, she leads the implementation and management of the Short Term Rental Accommodation (STRA) Register, oversees reporting and analysis of emerging trends in the STRA market, and evaluates user experience and stakeholder feedback to support continuous improvement. Susan is currently undertaking the interim responsibilities of Manager of the Registers team. In this capacity, she is accountable for delivering high quality, customer focused, and timely services to the Western Australian community, public sector and industry stakeholders in relation to STRA registration and associated information. With over six years at the Department, Susan’s previous roles include WorkSafe Licensing and the Lead Coordinator for the landmark COVID 19 Residential Rent Relief Grant Scheme, established to support Western Australians affected by government restrictions and lockdowns during the global pandemic. The Scheme delivered more than $14 million in grants to assist WA’s renters and landlords. Prior to joining the Department, Susan taught high school Mathematics in Perth’s southern suburbs after completing a Bachelor of Education (Secondary) with a major in Mathematics at Murdoch University.
David Southwick has served as the Member for Caulfield in the Victorian Parliament since 2010 and is currently the Deputy Leader of the Opposition and Deputy Leader of the Liberal Party. He serves as Shadow Minister for Planning, Housing and Building, and Tourism and Major Events. Throughout his parliamentary career, David has held a range of senior portfolios including Police, Community Safety, Corrections, Energy, Renewables and Innovation. He has also served on several key parliamentary committees and as Parliamentary Secretary for Police and Emergency Services. A lifelong local resident of Caulfield, David is passionate about supporting communities, strengthening housing and planning policy, and promoting tourism and major events across Victoria.
Martin holds a Master’s degree in Eco and Sustainable Tourism Management from the Polytechnic University of Madrid. He is an Eco and Sustainable Tourism Specialist at Ecotourism Australia, coaching tourism businesses to implement sustainable practices and achieve globally recognized certifications. Martin supports Destination Certification projects, streamlines operational processes, and provides statistical reporting for various sustainability programs. With experience across New Zealand, Southeast Asia, and Australia, he brings a global perspective to his work. Passionate about ecotourism, Martin aims to inspire meaningful change within the industry. Outside of work, he enjoys hiking, diving, and snorkeling, always seeking new ways to connect with nature.
Sasha is a leading figure in property education, with over 25 years’ experience in vocational training, compliance and industry leadership. As founder of Real Estate Training Solutions (RETS), she has helped shape property training and professional standards across NSW and the ACT. Sasha will provide a timely update on CPD requirements for STRA managers in QLD and NSW.
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