First National Real Estate’s 2026 Property Management Conference wrapped up at Sofitel Broadbeach on 27 and 28 October, bringing members together for two days of professional development built around artificial intelligence, client relationships and business growth.
Brittany Cox of First National Neilson Partners in Pakenham, Victoria, was named First National’s 2026 Property Manager of the Year, a highlight of the opening day recognising excellence in a role that increasingly demands strong communication, sound judgement and the ability to balance the needs of rental providers and tenants.
The programme opened with Katie Cotton examining what real estate can learn from customer service practices at businesses including McDonald’s, Tesla and Bank of Queensland, challenging delegates to consider the difference between meeting expectations and building the kind of trust that generates repeat business and referrals.
Leadership and team development specialist Julie Davis explored the personality and communication styles property managers encounter daily, while Hermione Gardiner looked at how better communication and a more considered approach to difficult situations can improve client loyalty and reduce workplace friction.
Hermione returned on day two for an interactive “PM Renovation Rescue” workshop, where delegates worked through practical solutions to everyday property management challenges, including ways to use AI tools.
Kasey McDonald focused on the commercial side of stronger client relationships, showing how property managers can improve landlord retention, generate referrals and identify portfolio growth opportunities from their existing client base.
Artificial intelligence generated particularly strong interest across the two days. A “Navigating Change” panel brought together First National members Andrew Sherwood from First National Karratha in Western Australia and Nathan Janda from First National Salisbury in South Australia, alongside Gardiner and McDonald, for a discussion facilitated by proptech specialist Peter Schravemade.
The panel explored the profession’s shift towards a more advisory role, with property managers increasingly positioned as relationship and asset management specialists rather than primarily administrators, and considered how AI could take on repetitive tasks and free up time for advising rental providers and identifying opportunities to improve investment performance.
Peter Schravemade, Managing Partner of REACH Australia and New Zealand, closed the conference with a presentation on emerging technology, automation and data, with practical demonstrations covering rental reviews, market comparisons, marketing, social media, website development and monitoring legislative change.
The sessions framed technology as a tool to improve efficiency rather than a replacement for property managers.
The conference also featured First National’s foundation charity partner RizeUp, which shared opportunities for members to support families affected by domestic and family violence, alongside networking, a trade exhibition and an evening at Dracula’s Theatre Restaurant.