The Urban Developer
Hotel Summit
A one-day conference dedicated to the development and investment of hotels in Australia.
Program
NETWORKING
8:30 AM
Registration and Networking
KEYNOTE
9:00 AM
The State of Australia’s Hotel Market
Operating benchmarks, new supply and the forces shaping the sector
Explore the current and future state of Australia’s hotel and accommodation market through the lens of industry-leading data intelligence and benchmarking firm STR.
The presentation will reveal hotel operating performance across CBD, metropolitan and regional markets, including occupancy rates, average daily rates (ADR), revenue per available room (RevPAR), net income performance and other key indicators.
It will explore the future supply pipeline of rooms across different geographies and categories and the factors influencing development viability and roll-out in coming years.
The presentation will conclude with observations about the key forces and trends – both domestic and international – shaping the hotel sector in the future.
SPEAKERS
Matthew Burke
Regional Manager Pacific
STR
KEYNOTE
9:30 AM
Inside Australia’s Hotel Supply Pipeline
A deep-dive into the 7000+ rooms to be delivered by 2026
With more than 7000 rooms entering the market in the next two years, this detailed breakdown offers an insider’s view of Australia’s hotel development pipeline.
The presentation will unpack each key market, the major projects currently under development, the customer offering and other factors influencing the market.
This is an essential session for those interested in the competitive landscape of the hotel sector in Australia.
SPEAKERS
Karen Wales
Head of Hotels, Australia
Colliers
PANEL
10:00 AM
Deal Flow, Total Returns and Investor Sentiment
Is 2025 the year for hotel investors to make their move?
2024 was a year of subdued transaction activity, as a higher cost of capital forced asset values and portfolio allocations to find a new level.
Despite this, trading performance and total returns in the hotel sector continue to provide an attractive, resilient platform for investment capital.
With new supply tapering under higher delivery cost pressures, is 2025 the year for local and international investors to make their move?
This session assembles a panel of experts to explore investor appetite, asset preferences, portfolio allocations, transaction activity and asset values.
SPEAKERS
Tim Sherlock
Managing Director
Pro-Invest
Sam McVay
Managing Director
McVay Real Estate
Lucia Grambalova
Chief Investment Officer, Head of Asset Management
Hotel Capital Partners
NETWORKING
10:30 AM
Morning Tea
PRESENTATION
11:00 AM
The Art and Science of Repositioning Secondary Assets
Understand the practical realities that influence hotel conversion viability
Repositioning secondary buildings into desirable hotel assets is both an art and a science.
Led by FK principal and hotel specialist Angela Biddle, this presentation will unpack the design and operational considerations that make or break hotel conversions.
Biddle will explore how natural light, floorplate layouts, building services, ceiling heights, facade systems, lift capacity and operating functionality impact the feasibility of repositioning a secondary asset.
SPEAKERS
Angela Biddle
Principal
FK
PRESENTATION
11:20 AM
Elevating The Guest Experience Through Smart Technology
Innovative solutions for hotel developers, designers, operators and customers
Technology is redefining hospitality.
From streamlining systems and workflows to improving customer satisfaction, discover how cutting-edge innovations are enhancing the way hotel owners and operators deliver value and elevate the experience for discerning travelers.
SPEAKERS
Tanel Paabo
Vertical Lead - Hospitality, Oceania
Salto Systems
CASE STUDY
11:40 AM
1 Hotel – Seafarers, Melbourne
A developer’s perspective of delivering one of the world’s most sustainable hotels.
Renowned Melbourne developer Riverlee is nearing completion on an iconic urban renewal project on the banks of the Yarra known as Seafarers.
At the heart of this transformation is Australia’s first 1 Hotel, widely-regarded as the world’s most sustainable hotel brand, which is accompanied by Melbourne’s first international hotel-branded residences.
This presentation will explore the pursuit of sustainability through the lens of the developer and asset owner.
SPEAKERS
Brett Howlett
Project Director
Riverlee
NETWORKING
12:00 PM
Networking Lunch
PANEL
1:00 PM
Forces of Change: Shadow Supply, TPOs and Integrated FF&E
Exploring three major forces changing the way that the hotel sector operates
In research observed by The Urban Developer, it’s been revealed that there are three major forces influencing the hotel sector in 2025.
1. Shadow supply: The influence of short-term rental accommodation (STRA), such as Airbnb, on the supply dynamics in specific markets.
2. Third-party operators (TPOs): The rise of TPOs as a means of aligning the interests of hotel owners and operators more effectively.
3. Integrated FF&E: Owners, operators and FF&E suppliers establishing partnerships to enhance the overall experience.
This panel session will bring these three themes together to explore what it means for the sector in the future.
SPEAKERS
Anthony Ries
Chief Commercial & Financial Officer
Gatehouse Hospitality
Jo Street
Managing Partner
Furn-Niche
Kyle Fitzsimmons
Founder and Managing Director
Cosmo
PANEL
1:30 PM
Pioneering Privates: Developers Breaking the Mold
Meet the industry players putting their money where their mouth is.
In this panel, we sit down with private developers and owners to discuss their approach to building assets that stand the test of time.
We’ll explore their approach to design, structuring, delivery and operations while understanding how they differentiate their assets in a competitive environment.
SPEAKERS
Paige Walker
Chief Executive Officer
Fiveight
David Lee
Development Director
Riverlee
INTERVIEW
2:00 PM
In Conversation – Chris Lucas, Founder & CEO – Lucas Restaurants
He’s the visionary behind some of Australia’s most celebrated dining destinations, transforming the hospitality landscape with a bold fusion of culinary excellence, innovation and world-class design. But beyond the plate, Chris Lucas is also redefining the role of hospitality in shaping the urban fabric.
In this session, Lucas sits down with The Urban Developer’s Adam Di Marco to explore the evolution of his restaurant empire, his expansion into high-profile precincts, and how hospitality is shaping the future of urban development. From securing flagship locations to collaborating on city-shaping precincts, Lucas shares insights on how food and beverage can drive placemaking, activate communities and create lasting value in the property sector.
SPEAKERS
Chris Lucas
Founder and Chief Executive Officer
Lucas Group
NETWORKING
2:30 PM -
3:30 PM
Networking Drinks
