Full hotels, thin margins: Maximum Occupancy brings hotel leaders together in Melbourne this week
Quest founder Paul Constantinou AM headlines a day of candid conversations about the accommodation outlook for 2027
How can accommodation businesses turn stronger bookings into better profits? That question will take centre stage when Maximum Occupancy Australia returns to Pullman East Melbourne on Tuesday, November 17.
The one-day conference will bring together hotel owners, general managers, commercial leaders and industry suppliers to examine where operators should focus their investment, how to attract their next guest and what needs to change to build more profitable accommodation businesses.
The latest print edition of AccomNews is out now. Read it HERE
Melbourne Lord Mayor Nicholas Reece will officially open the conference, with Quest Apartment Hotels founder Paul Constantinou AM joining organiser Adrian Caruso for a headline conversation about building an accommodation business, lessons from growing Quest and his next chapter with extended STAY Australasia.
Adrian Caruso, conference organiser and Founder and Group Managing Director of Fastrack Digital, said the programme was built around the decisions accommodation operators are making as they prepare for 2027.
“Filling rooms is only part of the challenge. What matters is what’s left after the cost of winning the booking and delivering the stay,” Caruso said.
“We’re bringing together people who own, run and grow accommodation businesses to have honest conversations about where the opportunities are, where money is being wasted and what they would change first.”
The program spans industry outlook, investment, operations, marketing and technology, with Accommodation Australia Chief Executive James Goodwin addressing the road ahead for the sector.
Profitability will be a central thread. Trilogy Hotels Chief Commercial Officer Shaizeen Contractor, Choice Hotels Asia-Pac’s Kari Hunter and Expedia’s Clare West will examine the commercial pressures behind hotel performance, including distribution and operating costs.
Food and beverage will also come under scrutiny, with Pawan Dutta of The Royce Hotel, the 2026 AHA National Chef of the Year, joining JACK Hospitality Managing Director Alison Hulm and Hannah St Hotel Executive Chef Sean Thomas to explore the economics of hotel dining.
The practical value of AI will be debated by speakers including EVT’s Andrew Turner and Choice Hotels Asia-Pac’s Kari Hunter, while Caruso will examine how changing search behaviour is reshaping hotel discovery and direct bookings.
Related AccomNews story: Maximum Occupancy Australia unveils initial speaker line up
The program will also explore future guest demand, featuring VTIC CEO Lisa Patroni, Melbourne Convention Bureau CEO Julia Swanson and Luxury Escapes’ Tom McMenemie.
Senior leaders including Journey Beyond’s Sarah Derry, Pan Pacific Hotels Group’s David Tonkin and Ennismore’s Llewellyn Wyeth will discuss industry priorities.
Caruso said the value of the day extended beyond the stage.
“Some of the most useful conversations happen when an owner meets another operator facing the same challenge, or a general manager hears how someone else has solved a problem,” he said.
“We want delegates to leave with ideas they can act on, useful industry connections and a clearer view of where to put their time and money in 2027.”
Maximum Occupancy Australia takes place on Tuesday, November 17, 2026 at Pullman East Melbourne, 192 Wellington Parade, East Melbourne. The program includes conference sessions, an exhibition and networking opportunities.
View the full agenda: maximumoccupancy.com.au/melbourne/melbourne-2026-agenda
Register: maximumoccupancy.com.au/melbourne
