This year’s national conference is all about taking your business to the next level.
The Growth Journey is designed exclusively for brokers who are ready to sharpen their skills, embrace new strategies, and accelerate their success.
Across an action-packed program, you’ll gain powerful insights from industry experts, practical tools you can apply straight away, and the inspiration to build, scale, and succeed like never before.
Whether you’re looking to strengthen your referral network, master digital marketing, retain more clients, or manage growth with confidence, this is your chance to connect, learn, and walk away with a clear roadmap for the future.
Join us on this journey - and unlock your potential for growth.
Conference Agenda
| Arrive | Tradeshow Stalls | 8.30 | 9.30 |
| Welcome and Introduction | David Lennox | 9.30 | 10.00 |
| Scaling Your Broker Business | Ruan Burger | Keynote Speaker | 10.00 | 10.45 |
| Scaling Success: Growth Strategies for Brokers |
Ron Ratini Nishant Bajaj Ruan Burger Jared Dorans |
10.45 | 11.15 |
| Morning Tea | Tradeshow Stalls | 11.15 | 11.45 |
| Inside The Market: Broker Edition |
Matt Ivers Maree Kilroy |
11.45 | 12.30 |
| Behind the Curtain: Lender Insights Unlocked |
Nick Notaras Michael Piper Eric Pickford Drew Clegg |
12.30 | 1.15 |
| Lunch | Tradeshow Stalls | 1.15 | 2.15 |
| Workshops |
Target Market & Your USP Digital Marketing: Using it Effectively Referral Partnerships Client Retention & Lifetime Value Managing Growth |
2.15 | 4.00 |
| Awards | 4.00 | 4.30 | |
| Networking Drinks | 4.30 | 6.00 |
Major Prize Worth Over $5,000
Spin the Wheel of Fortune for the chance to win incredible prizes, including the major prize – a FREE 1-year subscription to Social Broker’s ELEVATE plan, valued at over $5,000.
This powerhouse package includes professional social media posts, carousels, and more – giving your online presence a consistent, high-quality boost all year round.
It’s all part of how we’re investing in your journey, helping you build, scale, and succeed.
Capture Your Best Professional Image – On Us!
We are giving every attending broker a free professional headshot. Your image is often the first impression clients and business partners have of you - whether on LinkedIn, your website, or in marketing material, so let’s make it a powerful one.
We’ve arranged for an expert photographer to be onsite, ready to capture you at your confident, professional best. It’s the perfect opportunity to refresh your profile photo, elevate your personal brand, and have a polished image you’ll be proud to share.
Your headshot will be professionally edited and delivered to you after the event - all at no cost. Think of it as one more way we’re investing in your growth journey.
Annual Awards
Annual Awards
Tradeshow Stalls
Presenters
Founder & Lead Coach, Success & Broker
Ruan Burger is a nationally acclaimed mortgage broker coach, performance consultant, and industry thought leader. Having launched Success & Broker in 2021 after building two successful broking businesses, Ruan brings over 15 years of real-world experience and an award-winning track record, boasting 33 national and state awards in mortgage broking.
In 2024/25, he was named Industry Thought Leader of the Year, and earned accolades as a Better Business Awards Mentor - testament to his impact on the mortgage broking community.
Senior Economist, Construction & Property Forecasting, Oxford Economics Australia
Maree Kilroy is a seasoned economist specialising in residential property and building forecasts at Oxford Economics Australia. With over 10 years of experience, she analyses demographic trends, housing markets, and shifting policy dynamics to deliver actionable insights. Her forecasts - including the flagship ResRadar subscription - are trusted industry benchmarks.
Maree’s expertise drives deep understanding of Australia’s evolving housing landscape, helping to highlight regional growth opportunities, affordability pressures, and supply-demand shifts, especially in a post‑rate‑cut environment.
Panelist - Property Markets: Emerging Trends and Opportunities
Matthew Ivers, creator of the Vision Property Investment Pathway, is a veteran property investment adviser with over 20 years in the Australian property and finance industry. His mission: helping families build lasting wealth through smart residential property investments.
Matt is revolutionising broker services. This innovative approach aims to enhance client engagement, offer unique value-added services, and help brokers stand out in a competitive market. The goal is to grow brokers' businesses and expand their offerings without significantly increasing their workload.
Managing Director & Principal, Crown Property Finance
Jared Dorans co-founded Crown Property Finance and has been serving clients in property finance since 2009. He launched his lending career straight after an initial year focused on customer service, before becoming one of the top 5 performing lenders at a Big Four bank. In 2016, Jared transitioned into complex and commercial lending—excelling in specialised markets and earning multiple national industry awards.
With over 14 years of experience and access to a panel of more than 40 lenders, he offers tailored lending solutions that balance speed, cost efficiency, and personal service.
Founder & Director, Shorebreak Finance
Ron Ratini established Shorebreak Finance with a mission to bring clarity and strategy to the often complex world of property financing. Ron left the corporate sector to create Shorebreak Finance, blending his investor insight with a commitment to helping clients navigate financing—from first‑home buyers to savvy investors. He believes in supporting the entire property journey: from pre‑approval to settlement and equity growth—particularly for clients in Sydney’s Illawarra and South Coast regions.
Founder & Director, Gemworth Finance Group (WA)
Nishant Bajaj serves as a top-performing mortgage broker at Gemworth Finance in Western Australia, delivering tailored lending solutions and exceptional client service across residential and commercial finance.
He earned industry-wide recognition by receiving Vision Aggregation’s coveted Spirit of Vision Award in 2024, an honour that celebrates his leadership, active engagement, and enthusiastic promotion of growth within the broker community.
With a focus on collaboration, innovation, and broker-first service, Nishant continues to build strong relationships within the market and drive success for both clients and partners.
Regional Sales Manager – NSW, ACT & QLD, Pepper Money
Drew Clegg leads Pepper Money’s broker distribution and support across New South Wales, Queensland, and the Australian Capital Territory—managing a team of nine Business Development Managers who serve some 12,000 brokers nationally.
With over 15 years in financial services, including roles in appliance and electrical sales, Drew brings a wealth of experience in relationship building and specialist lending.
Head of Broker Distribution – NSW/ACT, NAB Broker (National Australia Bank)
Nick Notaras leads NAB’s broker distribution strategy across New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory, focused on driving market share and deepening relationships with the broker community.
He plays a pivotal role at NAB Broker, overseeing the sales function to grow profitability and engagement within the broker channel.
National Broker Sales Lead, Third‑Party Banking, Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA)
Michael Piper leads broker distribution strategy across CBA’s third‑party banking channel, overseeing a team of sales and relationship professionals dedicated to supporting brokers and driving growth through the lender’s distribution network. With over five years in key roles at CBA, including experience as a state manager and team leader - he plays a central role in shaping the bank’s engagement with the broker community and expanding its market presence.
Broker State Sales Manager – NSW/ACT, Macquarie Bank
Eric Pickford serves as Macquarie Bank’s Broker State Sales Manager for New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory, leading the broker-focused sales strategy and support model across both states. He plays a key role in strengthening Macquarie’s partnerships with brokers in home loans, commercial lending, and asset finance, ensuring smooth client experiences and efficient service delivery
Workshop Presenters
Target Market and your USP
Louise is a seasoned business coach and executive leader with a track record spanning diverse sectors, from small enterprises to multimilliondollar service delivery organizations.
She is the owner of The Alternative Board, Sutherland Shire in NSW and brings her leadership, communication skills, and strategic insights, empowering business owners to plan confidently, innovate, and grow their businesses
Success & Broker – Managing Growth
Rapid growth is exciting - but without the right systems, it can quickly become overwhelming. Scaling a mortgage business isn’t just about writing more loans; it’s about building sustainable processes, strong teams, and a clear strategy for long-term success.
In this session, we’ll unpack the practical steps to manage growth effectively, from improving workflow efficiency and leveraging technology to hiring the right support and maintaining service excellence. You’ll leave with a clear roadmap to scale smarter, stay in control, and take your business to the next level with confidence.
Referral Partnerships
Referrals are the lifeblood of a thriving mortgage business. In an industry built on trust and connection, the strongest growth doesn’t just come from rates or products - it comes from relationships.
In this session, we’ll explore how to create, nurture, and leverage powerful referral partnerships that drive consistent, high-quality business. From proven strategies for working with real estate agents and accountants, to building your own advocate network, you’ll walk away with practical tools and a fresh approach to making referral relationships your competitive edge.
Digital Marketing
In today’s market, your digital presence is just as important as your handshake. Clients are searching, scrolling, and comparing before they ever pick up the phone - so how do you make sure you stand out?
This session will unpack practical, results-driven digital marketing strategies designed specifically for mortgage brokers. From social media tactics and content that converts to leveraging email marketing and online reviews, you’ll learn how to attract more leads, build trust, and stay top-of-mind in a competitive marketplace.
Client Retention & Lifetime Value
Winning a client is only the beginning - keeping them for life is where the real growth happens. In an increasingly competitive market, brokers who focus on client retention don’t just secure repeat business; they create loyal advocates who drive referrals and long-term success.
In this session, we’ll explore practical strategies for nurturing lasting client relationships, delivering exceptional value beyond settlement, and turning one-time borrowers into lifelong clients. You’ll walk away with actionable tools to boost retention, increase lifetime value, and future-proof your business through loyalty and trust.
Accomodation
We recommend that if you are travelling interstate, please book your accommodation to ensure you can attend our National Conference and make the most of the day and after party.
Swissotel Sydney - For a limited time
- All bookings are at a special discounted rate.
- If you wish to take advantage of this exclusive offer, please BOOK YOUR STAY
Other accommodation options include:
Grace Hotel
A 2-minute walk - Grace Hotel
Hilton Hotel
A 1-minute walk - Hilton Sydney
Ibis Barangaroo
A 10-minute walk - ibis Sydney Barangaroo
We encourage you to book early to secure your preferred accommodation and make the most of your time at our National Conference and After Party in Sydney!
Transport
Parking
If you wish to drive and park near the event, you have two options:
- Queen Victoria Building (QVB) Wilsons Car Park
- St Martins Tower Car Park
We suggest downloading the Wilson Parking app to pre-book your spot at a discounted rate.
Download on App Store and Google Play.
Both parking stations are conveniently located on Market Street, close to Swissotel.
Train
There are three convenient train stations near the venue:
- Wynyard Station - 9-minute walk to venue.
- Town Hall Station - 2-mintue walk to venue.
- St James Station - 2-mintue walk to venue.
Cap off an incredible day!
Join us for cocktails and canapes following our National Conference at the Swissotel venue, where we can come together to reflect on the day's experiences, celebrate the year that was, and forge valuable partnerships.
Principal Partner
Sponsors