Pawnbroker & Second-Hand Dealer Expo 2026

Lineup

• More details about Jason Feltrin - Slattery Grays

  Jason Feltrin - Slattery Grays

  Jason brings 20 years of experience in the auction industry with a specialisation in consumer and home-related product. In his role, Jason works closely with businesses to understand their individual needs, facilitating the efficient turnover of assets by connecting them with the right buyer base. His approach ensures stock is moved strategically without compromising on monetary return, delivering outcomes tailored to each client’s unique requirements. With two decades of industry expertise, Jason has developed a comprehensive understanding of consumer markets and auction methodology, positioning him as a trusted advisor to organisations across the sector

• More details about Shaun Deans - Pawnit Systems

  Shaun Deans - Pawnit Systems

  Shaun brings a practical, outcome-focused approach to AI, supported by a strong understanding of manual business processes and a belief that technology should solve real problems rather than be used for its own sake. With more than 20 years of IT experience, Shaun is an Executive Consultant at Pawnit Systems, helping businesses align technology and AI with practical goals, improved efficiency and sustainable growth.

• More details about Gaige Dracoulis - Event Emcee

  Gaige Dracoulis - Event Emcee

  Gaige is the owner of Modus, where he helps businesses grow through strategic marketing, content production, and brand development. Before moving into advertising, he spent years in the secondary luxury watch market, helping found respected dealers including Elita Collection and Lux & Co, developing extensive knowledge of luxury watches, jewellery, and the broader resale industry. He has also worked alongside multiple luxury resellers to develop their marketing strategies and digital presence, giving him a unique understanding of both the commercial and consumer sides of the industry. As MC, Gaige brings a blend of industry experience, engaging communication, and practical marketing insight, guiding the day’s sessions, facilitating conversations with guest speakers, and keeping the event informative, professional, and enjoyable.

• More details about Tania Hedges - Luv Luxe

  Tania Hedges - Luv Luxe

  Tania is Luvluxe’s lead authentication specialist, with formal certifications in verifying iconic luxury brands including Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Hermès, YSL and Gucci. With more than a decade of experience in the pre-loved luxury market, combined with a background in technology and global brand partnerships, she brings a unique blend of precision, innovation and industry expertise. At Pawn Expo Australia, Tania will share practical insights into luxury authentication, counterfeit detection, emerging technologies, and the importance of building customer trust through expert verification and industry best practices.

• More details about Mikaelah Egan - Gemological Association of Australia

  Mikaelah Egan - Gemological Association of Australia

  Mikaelah Egan is a Gemmologist and Fellow of the Gemmological Association of Australia, having graduated the Diploma in Gemmology in 2018 and the Diploma in Diamond Technology in 2019, with the years since spent furthering her education with study in Geology at the University of Queensland. With 10 years experience in jewellery retail, Mikaelah’s particular area of interest is in all things diamond – coloured diamonds, natural formation, detection of natural vs synthetic, and more. She is a current teacher of the Diploma in Gemmology, Diploma in Diamond Technology, and various short courses offered by the GAA both in-house and in gemstone mining communities.

• More details about Marilyn Strauss - eCBD

  Marilyn Strauss - eCBD

  As Director of e-CBD, I have spent more than 25 years helping Australian businesses grow through effective digital marketing and tailored online strategies. e-CBD specialises in website design, SEO, Google Ads and social media marketing, with a focus on increasing visibility, attracting customers and delivering measurable results. I am passionate about combining technical expertise with clear communication and strong client relationships. At the Expo, I will share practical insights to help businesses strengthen their online presence and achieve sustainable growth.

• More details about Katie Lourey - Gold Bullion Australia Group

  Katie Lourey - Gold Bullion Australia Group

  Katie Lourey is the Head of Risk and Compliance at Gold Bullion Australia Group, where she oversees risk management, governance, AML/CTF compliance and regulatory affairs across the Group’s precious metals and bullion businesses. Katie brings extensive experience in financial crime compliance and regulatory risk, with a professional background spanning superannuation, insurance, equities, financial advice and the Financial Ombudsman Service. Working closely with AUSTRAC requirements and industry best practice, Katie helps businesses understand and implement practical compliance solutions in an increasingly complex regulatory environment. She is also a regular speaker at conferences covering financial crime, AML/CTF compliance, governance and the precious metals industry. Katie holds a Bachelor of Laws, a Bachelor of Commerce, a Diploma of Financial Planning, a Diploma of Stockbroking and the ADA1 qualification.

• More details about Richard Frost - Melbourne Mint

  Richard Frost - Melbourne Mint

  Richard Feltrin is the National Manager of Melbourne Mint Gold Pty Ltd, where he has spent more than 16 years building a strong, client-focused culture. He brings extensive hands-on and technical knowledge across precious metals, jewellery and gemstones, bullion products, second-hand trading, jewellery retail and manufacturing, as well as industry-specific training programs. With more than 80 years of family history in the trade, Richard quite literally grew up on the shop floor. Richard has received recognition from both local and international industry organisations and holds diplomas in Business, Marketing and Management, along with qualifications in diamond grading and gemmology. He offers a practical and informed perspective on business strategy, workflow management, industry development and identifying new opportunities within the precious metals and jewellery sectors.

• More details about Ronny Wachtel - Vintage Watch Co

  Ronny Wachtel - Vintage Watch Co

  Ronny Wachtel is the founder and director of Vintage Watch Co and an experienced specialist in vintage, pre-owned and luxury watches. What began as a personal passion for collecting developed into one of Australia’s best-known destinations for luxury timepieces, with locations in Brisbane and Sydney. Ronny brings extensive hands-on experience in buying, selling and assessing watches from many of the world’s leading brands. At Pawn Expo Australia, he will share valuable insights into the pre-owned watch market. His practical knowledge will be particularly valuable for pawnbrokers, second-hand dealers, jewellers and collectors looking to make more informed and confident decisions.

• More details about Ari Taibel - First State Auctions

  Ari Taibel - First State Auctions

  Ari Taibel is the Founder and Director of First State Auctions, Australia’s most trusted online auction house for buyers and sellers of luxury accessories. Ari established First State Auctions in 1995 with a vision to make the auction process open, accessible, and trustworthy for both buyers and sellers across Australia. Over three decades, he has grown the business into a globally recognised online auction destination for fine jewellery, Swiss watches, and designer handbags. An auctioneer, a qualified gemmologist and graduate of the Gemmological Association of Australia, Ari brings technical expertise that underpins the rigorous authentication and verification standards First State Auctions is known for. His deep knowledge of fine jewellery, precious stones and luxury accessories gives customers the confidence that every piece is accurately represented and of the highest calibre. With more than 30 years of experience and thousands of successful auctions to his name, Ari remains as passionate about the industry today as when he started First State Auctions from his family home in 1995, committed to bringing more joy to buyers and sellers of luxury.

• More details about Shanon Folden - Pawn Stars Australia

  Shanon Folden - Pawn Stars Australia

  Shanon Folden is a highly experienced pawnbroker, second-hand dealer and familiar face from the television series Pawn Stars Australia. As General Manager of Sydney-based Happy Hockers, Shanon brings more than 20 years of experience in the pawnbroking and second-hand goods industry. Known for his extensive knowledge, passion for history and straightforward approach, he has developed a sharp eye for identifying, researching and valuing unusual objects. On Pawn Stars Australia, Shanon became known as the team’s “walking encyclopaedia,” assessing everything from sporting memorabilia and rare books to collectables and historical curiosities. His personal collecting interests have included vintage sporting equipment, baseball mitts and yo-yos. Shanon is also the NSW and ACT Chair of the National Pawnbrokers Association of Australia, helping represent and strengthen the industry across the region. With his practical expertise, engaging personality and fascination for the stories behind everyday objects, Shanon understands that a forgotten item can sometimes hold surprising history—and unexpected value.

• More details about Adam McDonald - Aussie Pickers

  Adam McDonald - Aussie Pickers

  Adam McDonald is an accomplished auctioneer, valuer and professional “picker” with more than 20 years of experience in Australia’s auction and collectables industry. He became widely known as the co-host of Aussie Pickers, travelling across Australia with Lucas Callaghan to uncover antiques, collectables and forgotten treasures hidden in homes, sheds and backyards. Adam has also appeared on the ABC television series Auction Room. After beginning his working life as a bricklayer, Adam discovered the auction world and quickly turned his fascination with unusual objects into a career. He spent 16 years as Head Auctioneer and Valuer at Lawsons, one of Australia’s oldest auction houses, where he developed particular expertise in 20th-century design and industrial antiques. Known for his energetic auction style, sharp negotiating skills and ability to recognise value in unexpected places, Adam combines extensive market knowledge with a genuine enthusiasm for the history and stories behind the objects he discovers.

• More details about Ben Senes - Pawn Stars Australia

  Ben Senes - Pawn Stars Australia

  Ben Senes is an experienced pawnbroker, second-hand dealer and television personality best known for appearing on the A&E series Pawn Stars Australia. Alongside his brother Aaron Senes and longtime friend Shanon Folden, Ben helped operate Happy Hockers, one of Sydney’s best-known pawnbroking and second-hand retail businesses. The series followed the team’s day-to-day dealings as they assessed, negotiated over and traded everything from jewellery, watches and electronics to rare collectables, sporting memorabilia and unusual historical objects. With more than two decades of industry experience, Ben understands both the commercial and human sides of pawnbroking. His practical expertise spans customer service, responsible lending, buying, valuation, negotiation and second-hand retail. Known for his straightforward and approachable manner, Ben has helped challenge outdated perceptions of pawnbroking by showing how professional operators connect customers with short-term finance, affordable second-hand goods and opportunities to unlock value from possessions they no longer need.

• More details about Linsay Ballinger

  Linsay Ballinger

  Linsay has been around the world of collecting since he was a small boy, having started with stamps and coins, his collecting passion grew to encompass antique bottles, postcards and ephemera, vintage badges, military items, Australian pottery and glass….and the list just kept growing! He has been integrally involved in the antiques trade in Australia, New Zealand and United Kingdom for many years and loves sharing his knowledge during appraisals, as he already does at many antique fairs in Australia.