Auckland hosts inaugural STRive to Thrive Conference for NZ Short-Term Rental professionals
Bart Sobies: "This event is about celebrating and strengthening the STR industry here in Aotearoa"
This week, New Zealand welcomed the launch of its first dedicated short-term rental (STR) industry conference — STRive to Thrive — held Tuesday and Wednesday at Sudima Auckland City.
The two-day event was crafted to empower STR property owners, hosts, and managers with practical tools, expert insights, and real-world strategies to strengthen and future-proof their businesses. It also served as a vibrant meeting place for exhibitors and operators to share experiences, explore new ideas, and foster meaningful connections within this dynamic and fast-growing sector.
Day one, delivered in proud partnership with ASTRA (Australia & New Zealand Short Term Rental Association), focused on growth strategies and operational excellence. Designed to support attendees at all stages of their STR journey, the program delivered hands-on masterclasses and sparked thoughtful discussion on the future of the industry.
Originally launched in Melbourne, STRive to Thrive has now made its mark across the Tasman, bringing global lessons to a local audience. This year’s sessions covered timely topics such as leveraging AI in STR operations, navigating New Zealand’s taxation landscape and overcoming revenue management hurdles.
The afternoon saw the New Zealand STRA community come together for open, solutions-focused conversations about industry challenges, trends, and advocacy. With insights drawn from both sides of the Tasman, and updates from ongoing government discussions, the tone was optimistic, collaborative, and energised.
Bart Sobies, founder of STRive and CEO of iBooked.Online, took to the stage as MC and captured the spirit of the event:
“This event is about celebrating and strengthening the STR industry here in Aotearoa. It’s time we had a space for operators to connect, learn, and grow together — and this is just the beginning.”
Throughout the event, attendees were treated to vibrant networking opportunities and warm hospitality from the Sudima Auckland team — the perfect setting for industry peers to share stories, forge partnerships, and raise a glass to a bright future.
To top it all off, the conference will conclude with a Celebration Dinner and Afterparty on Wednesday evening, promising a lively close with fine food, flowing drinks, and entertainment — a fitting finale to a milestone moment for the sector.
With strong industry interest and glowing feedback, STRive to Thrive is poised to become a must-attend annual fixture for New Zealand’s short-term rental professionals.
Mandy has over two decades of experience in accommodation and tourism industry writing, and she is also an accomplished editor and publisher. As co-Director of Multimedia Pty Ltd, a trusted B2B content provider for the accommodation and education sectors in Australia and New Zealand, she oversees high-quality print and digital content across notable publications, including AccomNews, Resort News, and School News, along with the property listing platform AccomProperties. Mandy’s contributions have been recognised with the Female Leader Award at the Best of Tourism 2023 and the ARAMA Life Member Award in 2024.