STRIVE to Thrive New Zealand 2026: The Short-Term Rental Summit Auckland

STRive to Thrive: STR Connected; The Room Where It Happens!

“The STR community gathers here - don't miss out"

🎟️ Get Your Tickets Now - Last Year Sold Out 🎟️

We are excited to welcome you to the second NZ edition of STRive to Thrive, the ultimate event for short-term rental hosts, owners, and managers in New Zealand.

Join us in Auckland on March 17th & 18th, 2026, for two days of immersive learning, bold conversations, and community connection.

This year, we’re revealing all, pulling back the curtain on the real strategies, struggles, and wins in STR. Expect unfiltered insights, practical takeaways, and connections that will change your business.

Don't miss out! #illseeyouatSTRive

Across two days, you’ll hear from some of the most respected voices in the short-term rental world, sharing real stories, proven strategies, and practical tools you can put into action immediately. Whether you’re looking to grow, optimise, or prepare for your next big move, every session is designed to give you tangible value.

Our sessions will deep-dive into the topics you’ve told us matter most:

• Guest Demands & Review Culture understanding modern travellers, managing expectations, and building a rock-solid reputation.

• Tech & AI the latest tools, automation strategies, and innovations shaping the STR landscape.

• Profit & Revenue practical tactics to increase margins, optimise pricing, and boost profitability.

• Exit Strategies building long-term value and preparing for a profitable sale or succession.

• Scaling how to grow your STR business without losing quality or control.

• Staffing & Labor attracting, retaining, and leading the right people for your operations.

• Multi-Channel Strategy (beyond Airbnb) diversifying platforms to build resilience and reach more guests.

• And much much more!

But STRive is more than what happens on stage. It’s about the people you meet, the conversations you have, and the opportunities that come from being in the room. From structured networking to spontaneous meetups, you’ll connect with operators, managers, and suppliers who understand your world and can help you take your business further.

When the learning wraps up for the day, we turn up the atmosphere. Our evening events, including the celebration dinner and afterparty, are legendary for bringing the STR community together in style.

TICKET OPTIONS (MASTERCLASS, MAIN EVENT, OR BOTH DAYS)

MASTERCLASS TICKET | Day 1: Masterclass Day – Action & Implementation 17th March 2026

Kick off STRIVE with an intensive, high-energy day designed for operators who want to roll up their sleeves and get things done. The Masterclass is all about practical, results-driven learning. You’ll take part in targeted workshops, tackle real business challenges, and develop strategies you can put into play the moment you get home. With direct access to industry experts and the chance to collaborate in small groups, this is where ideas turn into action.

Session 1 – The strategies behind high-converting listings: Winning the OTA Game (Sean Rakidzich)

This session breaks down what actually drives OTA performance today.

Sean dives into visibility, conversion, and revenue, showing how high-performing operators win without racing to the bottom on price. You’ll leave with clear, practical strategies to optimise listings and compete more effectively in crowded markets.

Session 2 – What’s working inside real STR businesses right now: STRIVE Applied: Knowledge-Sharing Workshops (Expert-Facilitated, Peer-Led)

This is where insight turns into action.

STRIVE APPLIED is a series of collaborative, expert-facilitated workshops designed to surface what’s actually working inside real STR businesses today. You’ll take part in three 30-minute workshops, each focused on open discussion, shared experience, and practical problem-solving. No presentations. No sales pitches.

Workshop themes:

Technology: What’s delivering value and what’s been abandoned

Revenue Management: Practical pricing moves that have moved the needle

Marketing & Sales: What’s converting today and what’s stopped working

You’ll leave with ideas you can pressure-test immediately and clarity on where to focus next.

Session 3 – Turning a good STR business into a scalable, valuable asset: Build to Sell (Billy Crock, Hometime)

This session is for operators thinking beyond day-to-day operations.

Billy takes you inside the structure of a scalable STR business, covering roles, responsibilities, margins, P&Ls, risk, and how value is assessed as businesses grow or prepare for sale.

It’s a practical, numbers-driven look at what separates a business that simply operates from one that’s intentionally built to scale or exit.

MAIN EVENT TICKET | Day 2: The Main Event Day – Connection & Insight 18th March 2026

(Includes dinner& Entertainment)

Day 2 is where the full STRIVE community comes together.

This is a high-impact day focused on insight, perspective, and real-world decision-making. You’ll hear from leading operators, founders, and strategists sharing what’s working now, what’s changing fast, and how they’re thinking about growth, margins, technology, and long-term value.

Expect honest conversations, practical takeaways, and connections that extend well beyond the event.

Session 1 – Structuring a 25%+ margin STR business: Behind the Scenes

Presented by Lisa Peterson & Georgia McAleer (L’Abode Accommodation)

This session pulls back the curtain on what a high-margin STR business actually looks like behind the scenes.

Lisa and Georgia break down how they structure operations, teams, pricing, and decision-making to consistently deliver strong margins at scale. This is a real-world look at systems, discipline, and trade-offs, not theory.

Session 2 – What the best operators do differently: The Guest Experience Blueprint

Panel moderated by Lisa Peterson, featuring Kim Steel

Guest experience isn’t a nice-to-have. It’s a revenue strategy.

This session explores how top operators design guest journeys that drive repeat bookings, better reviews, and higher lifetime value. You’ll hear practical examples of what works, what doesn’t, and where operators are focusing their efforts today.

Session 3 – How STR businesses are actually using tech: From Tools to Impact

Panel featuring Elle Knight, Chavdar Marinov, Sam Steel- Moderated by Nick Peirce

Tools don’t create value. Outcomes do.

This panel cuts through the noise to explore how STR businesses are using technology in meaningful ways. From automation and integrations to where tech has been abandoned entirely, this session focuses on impact, not hype.

Session 4 – A framework for STR operators: Using AI Where It Actually Matters

Presented by Dan de Witte

AI is everywhere, but where does it genuinely move the needle?

Dan shares a clear, practical framework for how STR operators can use AI to improve efficiency, decision-making, and performance without adding complexity. This is a grounded, operator-first look at AI in real businesses today.

Session 5 – How we grew from 10 to 145 doors in one market: Scaling in One Market

Presented by Savannah Jackson (Hello Queenstown)

Scaling doesn’t always mean expanding everywhere.

Savannah shares the real story behind growing Hello Queenstown from 10 to 145 properties in a single market. This session dives into focus, execution, owner relationships, and the decisions that made sustainable growth possible.

Session 6 – Insights every operator should know: What the Data Is Telling Us About the Market

Presented by Deepanshu Nihalani

This session looks at what the data is actually saying about the STR market right now.

From pricing trends and demand shifts to performance indicators operators should be watching closely, Deepanshu breaks down the signals that matter and how to respond to them.

Session 7 – Scale, structure, and where the industry is heading: The Titans Panel

Featuring Billy Crock, Will Creedon & Tracey Foxall

This is the big-picture conversation.

Senior industry leaders discuss scale, ownership models, operational complexity, and what’s coming next for the STR industry. Expect honest perspectives, disagreement, and insight shaped by experience at scale.

Session 8 – How operators are winning owners and bookings: Growing in New Zealand

Panel moderated by Kate Stinchcombe-Gillies

Featuring Kim Stewart, Phil Cooper, Andreas Cooper & Karen Gilby

This session focuses on what growth actually looks like in the New Zealand market.

Panelists share how they’re attracting owners, driving bookings, and positioning their businesses in a competitive landscape. Practical lessons, local nuance, and transferable strategies.

Session 9 – The mistakes that taught the biggest lessons: The Confession Wall

Panel session

A STRIVE favourite.

Operators share the mistakes they’ve made, the lessons learned the hard way, and what they’d do differently if they were starting again. Honest, uncomfortable, and always valuable.

STRIVE STR Awards | Celebration Dinner & Afterparty

Day 2 concludes with the STRIVE celebration dinner and afterparty.

This is where the community comes together to recognise excellence, connect outside the sessions, and celebrate the people and businesses pushing the industry forward.

VIP TICKET | The Full STRIVE Experience - 17 & 18 March 2026

The VIP Ticket gives you everything. You’ll kick off with Day 1’s high-energy Masterclass, where you’ll roll up your sleeves, join targeted workshops, and work directly with experts to tackle the challenges in your business. Then, on Day 2, you’ll step into New Zealand’s largest gathering of STR professionals for the Main Event, packed with bold conversations, leading suppliers, and the insights shaping our industry. Your VIP experience also includes your seat at the Celebration Dinner and Afterparty, where the community comes together to connect, celebrate, and raise a glass to success. It’s the complete STRIVE journey from start to finish.

Get your tickets now!

Join us for one day or both, but whichever you choose, make sure you are in the room.

What to Expect:

• Engaging Sessions covering the latest in industry trends, marketing, guest experience, technology, and more.

• Expert Speakers sharing real-world insights and strategies from across the STR landscape.

• Sponsor Showcase featuring leading tech providers, service partners, and suppliers driving innovation in the industry.

• Networking Opportunities to connect with hosts and managers from across New Zealand, from single-property owners to large operators.

• Delicious Lunch crafted by top culinary talent to keep you fuelled throughout the day.

• Coffee and Afternoon Tea to recharge and keep the conversations flowing.

  
  

Book both days - or pick the one that you want to go to. You choose

Join us for the full STRive experience, the VIP Masterclass ACTION Day and the Main Event, for two days packed with learning, connection, and celebration. Dive into every corner of the STR industry, gain insights from leading experts, build valuable relationships, and enjoy the moments that make this event unforgettable.

Location: Auckland, New Zealand (Sudima Auckland City)

Tickets: Choose to attend either day or secure both for the ultimate STRIVE experience. Space is limited and last year’s event sold out, so book early to avoid missing out.


Tickets & Pricing

STRIVE 2026 tickets are released in stages. The earlier you book, the more you save:

• Pre-Release Tickets: Exclusive early-access pricing, strictly limited in number. Once they’re gone, they’re gone.

• Early Bird Tickets: Available from 29 September 2025, discounted rates for those who lock in early (also limited).

• General Release Tickets: Standard pricing kicks in from 1 December 2025.

• Last Minute Tickets: For late bookers from 2 March 2026 - subject to availability at premium pricing.
  
  (*Ticket prices are listed in AUD and apply at the time of purchase. Prices may increase or decrease at STRIVE’s discretion. Availability is limited at each stage, and once sold out the next pricing tier will automatically apply. Programme, prices, inclusions, venue, and dates are subject to change without notice.)
  

Full details and registration: https://striveconference.com

FAQs

When and where is the event taking place?
Date: March 18-19th 2026

Where is STRIVE Auckland 2026 being held?

STRIVE Auckland 2026 will be held at Sudima Auckland City, located in Auckland’s CBD.

Address:
63–67 Nelson Street, Auckland CBD, Auckland 1010, New Zealand

Sudima Auckland City is centrally located and easily accessible by public transport, ride-share, and car, making it a convenient venue for both local and travelling attendees.

Is there an official accommodation partner for STRIVE Auckland 2026?

Yes. STRIVE has an official accommodation partner for Auckland: Sudima Auckland City.

STRIVE attendees can enjoy an exclusive 20% discount on room rates at Sudima Auckland City, a modern and sustainable hotel in the heart of Auckland, just steps from the conference venue. (subject to availability)

How to book:
Use delegate code STRIVE2026 when booking
Valid for stays between Sunday 15 March and Friday 20 March 2026

Bookings can be made by contacting Sudima’s Central Reservations team:
📞 0800 SUDIMA (800 783 462)
📧 reservations@sudimahotels.com

We recommend booking early, as availability during March can be limited.

What is the purpose of STRive to Thrive - Auckland Edition?

STRive to Thrive is an event designed to empower short-term rental owners with valuable insights, tools, and strategies to thrive in the competitive market.

Who should attend this event?

This event is perfect for short-term rental proprietors, owners, and managers of all sizes who want to enhance their business and stay up-to-date with industry trends.

I haven't started yet. Should I attend?

Although the event is not a masterclass on how to get started, there will be a huge amount of information provided, which will get you going. You will also be networking with some of New Zealand's leaders in the field.

Will there be expert speakers at the event?

Yes! We have renowned industry experts lined up to share their knowledge and experiences with attendees. Stay tuned for updates on our speaker lineup.

What topics will be covered during the sessions?

The sessions will cover a range of topics, including industry trends, marketing strategies, guest experience, property management, and technology advancements.

Is there an opportunity for networking?

Absolutely! STRive to Thrive provides ample networking opportunities for attendees to connect with fellow professionals, build relationships, and share insights.

Will there be a celebration dinner?

Yes, there will be a celebration dinner where attendees can enjoy delicious food and raise a toast to their achievements in the industry.

How can I register for the event?

Registration can be done online through our registration link. Secure your spot early as space is limited.

What is the refund policy if I can’t attend?

• Full refund: Up to 30 days before the event (minus processing fees)

• 50% refund: 8–30 days before (minus fees)

• No refund: Within 7 days of the event
  

Can I split my ticket?
If you have bought a 2-day ticket, you cannot split this across multiple people. Tickets are issued to a single attendee and cannot be shared, transferred, or used by multiple people across different parts of the event (including sessions, networking events, or dinner).

Will the event cover platforms like Airbnb, Booking.com, Vrbo, and Expedia?
Yes! STRIVE to Thrive dives into strategies for succeeding across all major OTAs (Online Travel Agencies) including Airbnb, Booking.com, Vrbo, Expedia, Agoda, and Trip.com. Sessions will explore how to optimise listings, manage multi-channel distribution, and boost direct bookings alongside your OTA strategy.

Is STRIVE only for NZ hosts?
No. While STRIVE Auckland 2026 focuses on New Zealand, the strategies and speakers provide global relevance. We also welcome international attendees.