Melbourne 2026

Australia's most-popular one-day accommodation industry conference returns on November 17, 2026

The must-attend industry event for hoteliers and accommodation providers in Australia

Maximum Occupancy is APAC’s leading hotel conference created by industry leaders, for industry leaders. Open to every accommodation provider, from boutique independents to large groups, it brings together 100+ world-class experts from across the globe. Walk away with proven strategies to grow revenue, strengthen direct bookings, and achieve maximum occupancy month after month.

17 November 2026 Register today
Network

Network

Network in the ideal executive environment with like minded people from a very wide cross section of the accommodation industry.

Hear

Hear

Hear from the thought leaders and experts in the accommodation industry about the latest trends, strategies and know-how on every aspect that affects your business.

Gain

Gain

Learn actionable insights to boost direct bookings, revenue, and customer loyalty. Unpack strategies in hotel digital marketing, revenue management, food and beverage, HR, technology, and more.

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    Jacqueline Choo

    Pacific STR
    Sales

  • Nicholas Reece

    Nicholas Reece

    Lord Mayor Of Melbourne

  • Ian Wilson

    Ian Wilson

    Title Hospitality
    Director

  • Dean Minett

    Dean Minett

    Gatehouse Hospitality
    Managing Director

  • Robert Moore

    Robert Moore

    Brady Group
    General Manager Hotels & Hospitality

  • Carl Forrest

    Carl Forrest

    Pan Pacific Melbourne
    Hotel Manager

  • Rachael Harman

    Rachel Harman

    The Ritz-Carlton, Melbourne
    General Manager

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    Peter Minatsis

    Hannah St Hotel
    General Manager

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    Jeff Baars

    The Accommodation Co.
    Director

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    Ravinder Kalvakuntla

    Prompt Hospitality Tech
    Founder & Principal Consultant

  • Andrew Turner

    Andrew Turner

    EVT
    Group General Manager Technology & Digital

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    Adrian Caruso

    Fastrack Digital
    Group Managing Director

  • Zach Sevelle Enterprise Sales Director

    Zach Sevelle

    RMS
    Enterprise Sales Director

  • Lisa Patroni

    Lisa Patroni

    Victoria Tourism Industry Council (VTIC)
    CEO

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    Adam Schwab

    Luxury Escapes
    Co-Founder + CEO

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    Renae Trimble GAICD

    Hamilton Island
    Chief Operating Officer

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    Katherine Oakley

    Melbourne Park
    Chief Communications

  • Dougal Hollis

    Dougall Hollis

    Accommodation Australia (Vic)
    General Manager

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    Lee Davey

    EVT Hotels and Resorts
    State General Manager

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    David Tonkin

    Pan Pacific Hotels Group
    Country General Manager, Oceania

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    Sarah Derry

    The Star Entertainment Group
    Chief People Officer

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    Paul Constantinou AM

    Extended STAY Australasia
    Co-Founder and Non-Executive Chairman

Who Attends Maximum Occupancy?

Hotel Owners, Independent Hotel Operators, Directors of Sales & Marketing (DOSMs), Hotel Teams, Industry Vendors & Partners

Hear from accommodation industry experts and trailblazers as they share proven, real-world strategies. Discover the latest trends and technologies to stay current and competitive so you can grow your hotel or accommodation business and achieve maximum occupancy.

Agenda

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Conference Registation

08:00 — 0:900

Welcome to Maximum Occupancy Australia 2026. Pick up your lanyard and name tag at the registration desk and enjoy a coffee while networking with other conference delegates.
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Conference Welcome & Opening

09:00am — 09:05am

A welcome introduction to Maximum Occupancy Australia 2026 by the conference MC and organiser, Adrian Caruso, Group Managing Director for Fastrack Digital.
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The Australian Accommodation Outlook: What Will Drive Demand in 2027?

09:05 — 09:25

Learn what the state of the Australian and broader accommodation market is currently and predictions for 2027 and beyond.
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Official Conference Opening

09:30am — 09:45am

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THE OWNER'S TABLE: Where Would You Put Your Money in 2027?

09:45 — 10:10

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REVENUE IS VANITY. PROFIT IS SANITY - Why a Full Hotel Doesn't Always Mean a Profitable Hotel

10:05am — 10:25am

A full hotel doesn’t always mean a profitable one. This session gets behind the headline numbers to uncover what really drives hotel profitability - from pricing and distribution costs to labour, operating expenses and the true cost of every booking.
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Power-up Trend Talks

10:25 — 10:35

Listen to short sharp presentations from leading industry suppliers and event exhibtors and how you can boost revenue and occupancy using their products.
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Morning Tea

10:30 — 11:00

Break time! Enjoy a delicious morning tea and network with your fellow conference delegates.
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What Keeps Hotel Managers Up Late at Night

11:00am — 11:25am

Listen to some of Australia's top hotel and accommodation managers and operators, and what keeps them up late at night.
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THE AI REALITY CHECK - What Has Actually Worked - and What Hasn't?

11:25am — 11:45am

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THE PRODUCTIVITY PROBLEM - How Do We Deliver Better Hospitality With Rising Labour Costs?

11:50 — 12:15

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Staying Visible in a Changing Digital Landscape

12:15 — 12:40

The way travellers search, discover and choose accommodation is changing fast. Adrian Caruso explores how AI, evolving search behaviour and new digital platforms are reshaping the guest journey - and what accommodation businesses need to do now to stay visible, relevant and drive more direct bookings.
Zach Sevelle Enterprise Sales Director

Buying Diversification, Inheriting Tech Debt

12:45 — 01:00

Every acquisition imports someone else's technology decisions, and the debt compounds as you expand from hotels into apartments, resorts, and motels. This session uncovers where M&A tech debt hides and shares a practical framework for future-proofing your organisation, with actions you can apply to your next deal.
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Lunch

01:00pm — 02:00pm

Network with other attendees over a delicious buffet lunch.
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Where will your next guest come from?

2:00pm — 2:25pm

Demand now comes from many directions - cruise, events, sports, corporate travel and high-value leisure. This panel explores how these segments behave, how they impact occupancy and rates, and how hotels can better align pricing, inventory and marketing to capture the right mix of demand year-round.?

Facilitators

Lisa Patroni

Lisa Patroni

Victoria Tourism Industry Council (VTIC)

CEO

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WINNING THE CORPORATE TRAVELLER IN 2027

02:25pm — 02:50pm

orporate travel is back, but the way companies and travellers choose hotels is changing. Explore what’s driving corporate demand, what buyers are looking for and how hotels can win a bigger share of this valuable market.
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CAN HOTEL F&B ACTUALLY MAKE MONEY?

02:50pm — 03:15pm

Hotel restaurants and bars can be costly to run - but can they become serious profit centres? This session explores what’s working, what isn’t, and how hotels can turn F&B into a stronger driver of revenue, guest experience and profitability.
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Afternoon tea

03:15pm — 03;45pm

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THE BIG HOTEL DEBATE - What Does the Australian Accommodation Industry Need to Fix?

03:45pm — 04:10pm

Industry CEOs and senior leaders share a candid outlook on what’s ahead for the accommodation sector and how they’re preparing for the year ahead.

Facilitators

Dougal Hollis

Dougall Hollis

Accommodation Australia (Vic)

General Manager

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Building an Australian Accommodation Empire

04:15pm — 04:30pm

In this one-on-one conversation, Paul shares the story behind growing Quest Apartment Hotels to more than 170 properties, the lessons learned through decades of leadership and change, and the decision to sell to The Ascott Limited. He also explores his next chapter with extended STAY australasia, the opportunities he sees for operators today, and what it takes to build an accommodation business that lasts.
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Keynote to be Announced

04:30pm — 04:50pm

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If You Were Running My Hotel Tomorrow, What Would You Change First?

04:50pm — 05:20pm

Give industry leaders an underperforming hotel $100,000 to turn it around. Where would they invest first - marketing, technology, people, rooms, F&B or revenue? Our panellists make their choices and defend them.
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Conference Close

05:30pm — 06:30pm

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Networking Drinks brought to by Pullman East Melbourne

05:45pm — 06:45pm

What people are saying about Maximum Occupancy

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  • Sarah Croskery
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