NETWORKING: AHICE ‘AFTER DARK’. Our networking continues at a venue to be revealed (drink on arrival and pay as you go).
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KEYNOTE Q&A: IHG Hotels and Resorts Managing Director – Australasia and Pacific, MATTHEW TRIPOLONE, in conversation with Rugby Australia Chief Executive Officer, PHIL WAUGH.

This session will look at the long-term partnership between IHG and Rugby Australia and explore leadership in high-performance environments, with insights from both business and elite sport, and a forward-looking discussion on partnerships, major events and the opportunity ahead for Australia.

Phil Waugh has served as the Chief Executive Officer of Rugby Australia since June 2023. He is the first Wallaby to occupy the role, having earned 79 caps for the national side as Wallaby Number 766.

Since he concluded his professional career with the Waratahs in 2011, Waugh has gone on to build extensive executive and governance experience.

He has been a Non-Executive Director on the Rugby Australia board since July 2018, and prior to his appointment as Rugby Australia CEO, he was an Executive, Broker Distribution at National Australia Bank.

Waugh spent four years at Westpac, where he rose to become Head of Private Wealth for Westpac and St George (NSW, QLD and ACT) and led the response to COVID-19 for Westpac’s Business Bank. He also spent more than five years at Commonwealth Bank, rising to the position of Head of Asset Finance.

Waugh’s Board and governance experience has seen him hold multiple Non-Executive Directorship positions within the hospitality, finance and sporting industries. Most notable was Phil’s appointment as a Trustee of the Sydney Cricket and Sports Ground Trust in 2013.

INDUSTRY TALKS: IHG Hotels and Resorts’ Director of Operations – Australasia & Pacific, EMMA HYNES, in conversation with Accommodation Australia Chief Executive Officer, JAMES GOODWIN.

KEYNOTE Q&A: Talking music, travel and more with GARRY BEERS, bassist and founding member of INXS with over 80 million albums sold, in conversation with Accor Hotels Chief Operating Officer PM&E – Pacific, ADRIAN WILLIAMS.

As the bass player and founding member of international hit makers INXS, Garry has had a lifetime devoted to what he does best – playing bass in what is regarded as one of the best rhythm sections ever.

Garry’s rhythmic and powerful bass playing was an important part of the INXS success story that saw them sell 80 million albums and sell out the biggest and most prestigious Stadiums and Arenas and Festivals around the world.

A Manly native, Garry has lived in Los Angeles for 20 years and his new LA-based band is a partnership with his mate and songwriting partner Toby Rand called – AshenMoon.
Co-written and Co-produced by Beers and Rand, AshenMoon sees Garry’s love of classic rock and powerful grooves combined with Toby’s incredible voice and lyric content.
Garry has also recently released his own line of bass guitars – the GGB basses, which have his own patented Bass pickup onboard and are hand-built in California to replicate the look and feel of vintage 50’s and 60’s classic basses.

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AHICE ‘Apero’ hour with cocktails and hot topics
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NETWORKING RECEPTION at the Adelaide Oval.
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7:30am-onwards

BREAKFAST MASTERCLASS. Join us for another exciting breakfast masterclass to kick off AHICE 2026 in Adelaide.

Australian Hotel Sale Agreement Trends: Insights on transactions and market dynamics.

This fast‑paced session brings together leading voices from across the hotel investment and operations landscape to explore how transactions are evolving—and what that means for buyers, sellers and advisors in today’s market.

Gain practical insights into deal structures, risk allocation and current market dynamics shaping hotel transactions across Australia.

Hosted by:
• SEBASTIAN BUSA, Partner, Baker & McKenzie
Speakers:
• STEPHEN BURT, Managing Director, Hotel Capital Partners
• RAHUL PARRAB, Chief Executive Officer, Ark Capital
• LIZ COLLINSON, Senior Vice President Legal and Compliance,  Travel and Leisure

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PANEL SESSION: MIDSCALE & UPSCALE DRIVING GROWTH.
The phenomenal growth of midscale and upscale projects is firmly continuing and this session will uncover the destinations and brands attracting significant demand.
Hosted by:
• ARNAUD MILLÉCAMPS, Group Managing Director, Gatehouse Hospitality
Speakers:
• ALEX THORPE, Director, Veriu Group
• BRETT FORER, Vice President Development – Pacific, Accor

PANEL SESSION: THE AUSTRALASIAN CAPITAL MARKETS OUTLOOK. There’s been a flurry of deals in recent months and this session will look at the key destinations across the region where there’s demand for transactions ahead.
Hosted by:
• JESPER PALMQVIST, Regional Vice President, Asia Pacific, STR
Speakers:
• ANDREW JOLLIFFE, Managing Director & Board Chair, APAC, HTL Property

KEYNOTE: WELLBEING. Sleep Expert OLIVIA AREZZOLO elevates performance, wellbeing and productivity through science-based clarity.  

Olivia Arezzolo helps high performers use sleep as a strategy – for mental clarity, sustained energy, and peak productivity. Her international bestseller Bear, Lion, Wolf, published in 10 countries, testament her global credibility, while on social media, she guides over 62,000 to optimise sleep and wellbeing.

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NETWORKING: AFTERNOON TEA. Enjoy coffee, tea and delights in our exhibition showcases in the East and West wings of the Adelaide Oval.
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KEYNOTE: LEADERSHIP IN SPORTS AND BUSINESS. Olympian MICHAEL KLIM takes to the stage – in conversation with 1834 Hotels Chief Executive Officer, RODNEY HARREX – to talk about his stellar career and his successful dive into the world of amenities. 

Michael Klim OAM, born in Poland, is one of Australia’s most celebrated and decorated swimmers. Known for his explosive power, smooth technique, and pioneering use of the straight-arm freestyle stroke, Klim helped redefine modern sprint swimming during the 1990s and early 2000s.

In 2024, he released his memoir KLIM, offering an honest and inspiring look at his life in and out of the pool.

Today, Klim continues to inspire through his entrepreneurial ventures, advocacy work, and enduring love for swimming. Whether breaking world records, building businesses, or facing life’s challenges head-on, Michael Klim has always embodied strength, humility, and perseverance; qualities that make him a true Australian sporting icon.

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PANEL SESSION: THE PUBLIC RELATIONS & MARKETING OUTLOOK. Revealing top trends in the travel industry with communications, marketing and more.
Hosted by:
• GAYNOR REID, Communications Manager, Travmedia
Speakers:
• AMANDA BOLGER, General Manager – Global PR and Communications, Luxury Escapes
• MONICA SALTER, VP Global Communications and Social Responsibility, Outrigger Hospitality Group
• NAOMI HAMMOND, Director of PR & Communications, Pacific, Accor
• RACHEL JONES, Co-Founder and Director, Helm
• TRACY MACARTHUR, Senior Marketing Manager, Travel and Leisure Co

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PANEL SESSION: ‘CLOSING BELL’ – INDUSTRY EXPECTATIONS FOR 2026 FROM THE GLOBAL CDOs
Our popular ‘closing bell’ session where global industry leaders offer their take on the year ahead.
Hosted by
• KEVIN CROLEY, Chief Development Officer, Global Hotel Alliance
Speakers:
• CHRIS BATTERHAM, Chief Development Officer, Ovolo Hotels
• LUKE MORAN, Chief Executive Officer, Drifter

FUTURE LEADERS PANEL SESSION: THE OPERATIONS OUTLOOK. Rising stars talk about their careers and where the opportunities for growth are in operations and more.
Hosted by:
• SCOTT BARTON, Group Head of Talent Acquisition, EVT
Panelists:

NETWORKING: AHICE FAREWELL ROCK & ROLL CONCERT at a secret venue to be revealed.

You asked for more networking and now you get it, in rock-and-roll style. The Asia Pacific Hotel Industry Conference & Exhibition wraps up with a high-energy concert featuring three iconic Aussie artists, headlined by INXS Garry Gary Beers, at a secret Adelaide venue.

Enjoy fantastic food, wine and world class entertainment at a show you won’t forget. The locations will be revealed to delegates at the event via the app. Limited spots available with first release now open to the first 300 delegates. DELEGATE PASS REQUIRED FOR ENTRY.

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AHICE ‘AFTER DARK’. Our networking continues at the Playford Hotel MGallery (Pay as you go). DELEGATE PASS REQUIRED FOR ENTRY.
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