As the world continues to recover from the global pandemic, the significance of human connection and collaboration is highlighted at the upcoming STRive conference. Set to take place on July 12, 2023, in Melbourne, Australia, this one-day event focuses on the short-term rental (STR) industry and aims to bring together proprietors, owners, and managers from around the globe.

Organized by Bart Sobies, STRive offers a unique platform for networking, learning, and recognizing industry achievements. The conference seeks to provide attendees with valuable insights, strategies, and cutting-edge tools to succeed in an increasingly competitive market.

In addition to engaging sessions on industry trends and advancements, STRive also emphasizes the importance of building connections with like-minded professionals.

In this article, we delve into the significance of events like STRive for short-term rental operators, provide insight into the organizers’ background, and offer a comprehensive overview of what attendees can anticipate from the conference.

Fostering Connections and Collaboration in the STR Industry

STRive emphasizes the importance of building relationships and working together with other professionals in the short-term rental industry. The conference provides a platform for attendees to network, learn from each other’s experiences, and collaborate on innovative ideas and strategies to grow their businesses.

In the context of the global pandemic, many in-person events and opportunities for professional networking have been limited. As a result, the value of face-to-face interaction and forging connections has become even more critical in driving success within the industry. The STRive conference aims to fill this void by bringing together industry leaders and like-minded professionals to share knowledge, discuss challenges, and celebrate achievements in the short-term rental space.

Bart Sobies: Championing Industry Support and Global Networking in Short-Term Rental Industry

During the global pandemic, Bart Sobies, the founder of ibooked.online, emerged as a leading figure in the short-term rental (STR) industry. Recognizing the challenges faced by accommodation owners and managers, he took proactive steps to provide support, resources, and networking opportunities for industry professionals.

Sobies created a Facebook group titled Accommodation Managers & Owners 2023 – Hotel, AirBNB, STR, that has since grown to 2,144 members from countries such as South Africa, Spain, the United Kingdom, the United States, Australia, Germany, Belgium, Canada, New Zealand, Poland, France, and Portugal. The community focuses on addressing various concerns and questions faced by industry professionals, including handling guest complaints, property renovation decisions, pricing strategies, marketing efforts, COVID-19 related issues, and supplier recommendations.

In addition to fostering connections through social media, Sobies also launched “The Accommodation Show” podcast in 2021. The podcast serves as an invaluable resource for industry insights, news, and interviews with both established and emerging players in the STR sector.

As an accomplished keynote speaker at hotel events between 2020 and 2023, Sobies has shared his expertise on industry trends, marketing strategies, property management, technology advancements, and personal experiences overcoming recent challenges. His engaging presence and ability to connect with audiences have solidified his reputation as a thought leader in the field.

Sobies’ most ambitious endeavor is organizing STRive 2023, an event that brings together international speakers and professionals from the Australian STR industry for face-to-face interactions in the post-pandemic world. Featuring expert-led sessions on various topics, STRive 2023 aims to be a game-changer in the industry, providing invaluable insights and fostering collaboration among its participants.

STRive 2023: An Agenda Full of Expert Speakers and Compelling Sessions

The STRive conference promises an enriching experience for attendees, featuring a diverse range of session themes, including technology, marketing, property management, accessibility, and industry growth. With an impressive lineup of expert speakers, participants can expect valuable insights and practical strategies to enhance their short-term rental businesses.

Agenda Highlights

Bart Sobies – CEO of ibooked.online & The Accommodation Show

Session: AI: Your Co-Driver for Increasing STR Bookings – A Practical Session (10:15 a.m. – 10:50 a.m.)

Bart Sobies is a trailblazer in the STR industry, known for his passion for technology, marketing, and investment. As the dynamic force behind The Accommodation Show and iBooked.Online, Bart has become an influential figure in the field.

Julie George – Speaker & Entrepreneur, Million Dollar Host

Session: Cashing In: The Million Dollar Host’s Secrets to Scaling and Selling! (3:35 p.m. – 4:10 p.m.)

Author of ‘Hospitable Hosts‘ and ‘Million Dollar Host,’ Julie George has built a 130-property STR portfolio generating $8M in just 3 years. An Australian expert in STR, she serves as a Shortyz Awards judge, investor, and advisor to numerous hospitality businesses worldwide.

Quirin Schwaighofer – CEO and Co-Founder, MadeComfy

Session: Mastering STR Branding: A Peek into MadeComfy’s Secret Sauce (10:50 a.m. – 11:20 p.m.)

Quirin Schwaighofer leads MadeComfy, one of the fastest-growing and most recognized short-term rental brands globally. The company has won multiple awards, including the Shortyz in 2020 and 2021, Startcon “Best Startup 2018,” AFR Fast Starters, and AFR BOSS 4th Best Place to Work in Travel and Hospitality in 2022.

Kerry Williams – Co-Founder, Accessible Accommodation

Session: Profit and Purpose: The Dual Benefits of Accessible Tourism (3:00 p.m. – 3:35 p.m.)

As a champion of accessible travel and accommodation, Accessible Accommodation’s Kerry Williams is an awarded entrepreneur promoting inclusion for people with disabilities and aging communities. She helps find and book suitable short- to medium-term accommodations catering to the needs of people with disabilities and the maturing Baby Boomer generation.

Yoav Tourel – Managing Director, Guesty APAC

Session (Panel): Smart Solutions: Leveraging Technology for Profitable Short-Term Rentals (11:20 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.)

Yoav Tourel is the Managing Director of APAC at Guesty, with a 20-year track record in marketing and sales across APAC and EMEA. Specializing in team building, people leadership, and establishing APAC operations for global firms, he brings valuable insights into technology’s role in the STR industry.

Pete Smith – CEO & Founder, Weekenda

Session (Panel): Smart Solutions: Leveraging Technology for Profitable Short-Term Rentals (11:20 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.)

After leaving Corporate Australia, Pete Smith founded Weekenda, which now manages over 170 properties in the Hunter Valley Vineyards, Central Coast, Lake Macquarie, and Newcastle. The company has seen consistent growth under his leadership.

Mauro Risch – The Hotel Photographer

Session: Visualise Success in 2024: Increase Bookings with Strategic Photography (1:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.)

Mauro Risch is an award-winning hotel, resort, and STR photographer for the hospitality industry. Trusted by 9 out of 10 top hotel chains in the Asia-Pacific, he has over 10,000 hours of expertise covering the region.

Jules Brooke – Founder & CEO, Handle Your Own PR

Session: Publicity without the Price: How to get a lifetime of free publicity (1:30 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.)

Jules Brooke is a speaker, MC, founder of She’s The Boss Group and Handle Your Own PR, and host of She’s The Boss show on YouTube, She’s The Boss Chats and She’s The Boss Leaders podcasts. She has been recognized as a Woman To Watch in 2021 and 2022.

Truyen Nguyen – Senior Director Business Development, Hostfully

Session: Technology Lessons from the Field: Triumphs & Tragedies of Scaling an STR Business (2:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.)

Known for his entrepreneurial spirit and leadership capabilities, Hostfully’s Truyen Nguyen has driven business growth in the PropTech industry. With significant experience in automation solutions for vacation rental managers and growing inventory for a start-up by 5x, his insights are valuable for anyone aiming to thrive in the STR field.

Daniel White – Founder, Canbnb

Session: Building a Resilient STR Business: The Importance of a Process-Oriented Approach (4:10 p.m. – 4:45 p.m.)

Founder of Canbnb, Daniel White has grown the company to manage over 150 properties, making it one of Canberra’s leading property management firms. Under his leadership, Canbnb has become an industry pioneer, known for its client-centric approach, guest satisfaction, and innovative process improvements.

Jess Kelso – Director, Host Segment @ Beyond

Session (Panel): Smart Solutions: Leveraging Technology for Profitable Short-Term Rentals (11:20 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.)

An instrumental figure in Beyond‘s global growth, Jess Kelso uses her deep knowledge of property management needs to advocate for revenue optimization in the short-term rental industry.

Conclusion:

STRive 2023 promises to be an exceptional event for short-term rental professionals seeking to expand their knowledge, connect with industry leaders, and discover innovative solutions for their businesses.

As you attend the conference, consider the questions that matter most to your business: How can you leverage technology to optimize your operations? What marketing strategies will help you stand out in a competitive market? How can you create a more inclusive and accessible experience for your guests? These are just a few of the many important questions that STRive 2023 aims to answer, making it a must-attend event for short-term rental operators.