Australasia’s most influential real estate event, The Australasian Real Estate Conference (AREC) has revealed its first eight speakers for the two-day learning event to be held at Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre on Sunday 24th May and Monday 25th May.
The real estate industry is undergoing constant change and competition as agents are navigating one of the most complex market environments in recent history, according to Izzy Savva, Head of Total Real Estate training, the organiser of AREC.
AREC Founder, John McGrath concurs. “The real estate industry is facing challenges like never before, and agents need to sharpen the fundamentals while embracing new growth opportunities. AREC is exactly the kind of event that helps our industry step back, reflect, and come away with strategies they can implement immediately.”
Mr McGrath adds, “AREC26 isn’t just an event — it’s an investment in your own performance and building a lasting career. Two days can change the trajectory of your business. The stories, the learnings, the people you meet can be immeasurable — that’s the real value.”
Headlining and appearing on the AREC26 stage are internationally renowned real estate agents Josh Altman and Josh Flagg, three of the most recognisable figures in the United States property market.
Altman, Flagg are known worldwide through Million Dollar Listing Los Angeles, both have built careers representing some of the most prestigious luxury properties in California, collectively transacting billions of dollars in real estate.
Beyond television, Altman and Flagg have earned reputations as elite negotiators and brand builders who have successfully navigated shifting markets, demanding clients, and intense competition.
Josh Flagg, one of the youngest agents ever to achieve prominence in the luxury market, will appear in a Q&A format, interviewed by John McGrath.
This dynamic session promises deep insight into his approach to client relationships, reputation-based business, and marketing mastery.
Josh Altman consistently shatters records across the globe and ranks in the top 1% of real estate agents throughout the world.
Having sold over $9 billion, sold over the course of his career puts him in a league of his own. Transacted more than $5.2 billion from 2021 to date, averaging more than $100 million per month in sales.
Also headlining and appearing on stage is US real estate agent Tim Smith, who leads Tim Smith Real Estate Group at Coldwell Banker, has built a reputation for delivering exceptional results and outstanding client service.
Over the course of his career, he has achieved more than $6 billion in sales and consistently achieves record breaking prices across Orange County’s most south-after coastal communities.
Tim is renowned for his strategic marketing, in-depth local knowledge and skill negotiations.
Izzy Savva explains, “After listening closely to agents in this current market, it became clear that now is the time to focus on the fundamentals — the core skills that build sustainable careers. AREC is designed to focus on what really drives success in real estate: client relationships, negotiation, listing mastery, and personal growth.”
AREC26 has been curated around the foundations that consistently drive performance: listing excellence, client relationships, negotiation, personal discipline, brand building, and scalable growth.
Performance strategist Phill Nosworthy will deliver two keynote sessions that will be designed specifically for today’s real estate professional.
Regarded as one of the world’s leading executive educators and mentors. His insights into career acceleration, inclusion, high performance and leadership development have gained him a dedicated following among senior executives and high performers in Fortune-listed companies, including Microsoft, Boston Consulting Group X, Australian Grand Prix Corporation, Oracle, Xbox and Universal Music as partners.
At 39 years old, Phill was the youngest inductee into the Professional Speaker’s Hall of Fame for Education Excellence.
Joining the program virtually is entrepreneur, endurance athlete, and bestselling author Jesse Itzler, whose career spans building and selling companies, partnering with global brands, and redefining personal performance.
Also taking the stage is internationally recognised leadership expert Holly Ransom, who will challenge attendees to rethink how leadership, communication, and influence are evolving in modern business.
Joining the AREC26 program virtually is Alison Wood Brooks, an award-winning professor at Harvard Business School and one of the world’s leading researchers in negotiation, communication and the psychology of conversation.
Her groundbreaking work explores how professionals navigate difficult discussions, manage emotions in high-stakes situations and build stronger relationships through more effective communication.
Her insights into negotiation and human behaviour have direct application for real estate agents managing complex transactions and client conversations.
Also appearing on the AREC stage is Ben Crowe, one of the world’s most sought-after high- performance mentors.
Best known for his work with elite athletes, including tennis champion Ash Barty, Crowe specialises in helping individuals unlock sustained performance while maintaining clarity of purpose and balance.
His session will explore the mindset required to perform consistently at the highest level — lessons that translate powerfully to real estate professionals navigating pressure, competition and growth.
These speakers represent the first eight keynote presenters confirmed for AREC26, with additional announcements to follow.
The full program will also include a lineup of leading real estate agents sharing practical insights from the front line of the industry, along with the much-anticipated announcement of the Property Management Arena, which will once again bring together some of the sector’s most respected voices to address the challenges and opportunities facing property managers today.
AREC26 has confirmed Domain as its Headline Partner, bringing together two organisations with a shared focus on helping agents perform at their best.
Domain President Jason Pellegrino said, “AREC is the premier event for industry best-practice and innovation; the energy here perfectly reflects why we are proud to be Headline Partner. Under CoStar Group ownership, Domain is accelerating. We’re here to show our clients how world-leading products and increased market competition will give them and their vendors a clear competitive edge. We look forward to the event, the opportunity to collaborate and together evolve the industry and Australian property market”.
AREC26 is organised by Total Real Estate Training (TRET). For further information or registrations for AREC 2026, please visit www.arecconference.com or email tret@tret.com.au
