EVENTS
SCA (NSW) 2026 Convention
Protecting What Matters. Shaping What Comes Next.
22-23 September 2026
The 2026 SCA (NSW) Convention brings together the professionals at the heart of strata to explore the ideas, challenges and opportunities defining the future of our profession.
Over two days, you’ll access the conversations at the forefront of the strata profession. From resilience and wellbeing to innovation, governance, sustainability, workplace culture and the emerging trends shaping our profession.
Every session has been designed around the unique responsibility strata professionals hold as stewards of the communities they serve, and the key question:
How do we protect what matters while shaping what comes next?
➡️ 3 powerful keynotes from world-class thought leaders:
- Gus Balbontin – Leading Through Change, Innovation and Opportunity
- Former executive of Lonely Planet, innovator and renowned futurist thinker, Gus will challenge attendees to embrace change and rethink traditional approaches.
- Chelsea Pottenger – Resilience, Wellbeing and Sustainable Leadership.
- One of Australia’s leading voices on resilience and sustainable performance, Chelsea will explore how you can navigate complexity, avoid burnout and create cultures that support both accountability and wellbeing.
- Scott Taylor – Leading with Trust, Influence and Connection
- Leadership is built on relationships. Scott will share practical strategies for strengthening trust, improving communication and leading people through change with confidence.
➡️ Streamed content tailored to your role
Gain insights into regulatory developments, leadership challenges, governance, workplace wellbeing, innovation, sustainability and the future of the strata profession.
Dedicated streams for Strata Leaders (Principals, LICs, Emerging Leaders) and Strata Managers across both days.
SCA (NSW) CHU Strata Community Awards for Excellence
In 2026, the SCA (NSW) CHU Strata Community Awards for Excellence will also take place on the final night of the SCA (NSW) 2026 Convention, bringing together two of NSW strata’s biggest events for one unforgettable celebration.
Please note tickets to awards are purchased separately and not included with any Convention registration.
COUNTDOWN
CONVENTION PROGRAM
Day 1 – Tuesday 22 September
8:00 am | Registrations Open
9:00 am | Official Welcome
Robert Anderson, SCA (NSW) President
9:30 am | Government Address #1
Natasha Mann, NSW Fair Trading Commissioner
9:40 am | Key Note: Resilience, Wellbeing and Sustainable Leadership
Chelsea Pottinger
Chelsea Pottenger has performed at the highest levels of sport and business, become a bestselling author, founded EQ Minds, and helped more than two million people build resilience and achieve sustainable success. She is one of Australia’s leading voices on wellbeing and high performance.
Having worked with organisations including Google, Amazon, NAB and Allianz, Chelsea brings science-backed strategies that help professionals perform at a high level without sacrificing their mental health.
Drawing on research in resilience, wellbeing and sustainable performance, she will share strategies to help you navigate uncertainty, avoid burnout and create cultures that support both accountability and care.
Expect practical tools, real-world insights and a fresh perspective on what it means to succeed in today’s environment.
“Chelsea’s sessions were a game-changer. Her science-backed delivery kept our team coming back and transformed our culture.”
Head of Marketing, eBay.
Keynote is Proudly Sponsored by Body Corporate Brokers (BCB)
10:40 am | Morning tea #2
11:20 am | Key Note: Leading with Trust, Influence and Connection
Scott Taylor
In this engaging and energetic session, Scott Taylor will explore how leaders can strengthen connection, build trust and create cultures where people feel heard, valued and aligned.
Drawing on his experience in leadership, workplace culture and behavioural dynamics, Scott will unpack the communication habits and leadership approaches that help organisations thrive under pressure.
With practical insights and relatable stories, attendees will learn how to navigate difficult conversations, inspire confidence and foster stronger collaboration across teams, clients and stakeholders.
12:20 pm | Lunch
1:20 pm | Strata Manager Stream: Psychosocial risks in the workplace – Creating Healthier, Safer and More Sustainable Workplaces
As workplace pressures continue to rise, organisations are facing growing responsibilities to identify and manage psychosocial risks that impact employee wellbeing, performance and organisational culture. In high-pressure, people-focused industries, proactively addressing these risks is now an essential part of effective leadership and governance.
This practical workshop will explore the evolving landscape of psychosocial health and safety, helping leaders better understand their obligations and the real-world impacts of stress, burnout, workload pressures, conflict, poor communication and psychological harm in the workplace.
Through practical examples, discussion and strategies, attendees will learn how to identify psychosocial risks early, foster psychologically safe workplaces and create environments where people can perform sustainably and effectively.
Key take-aways:
Recognise psychosocial risk
Spot the early signals in themselves and their team, before risk becomes harm
Understand the science
Know how chronic stress impacts the body, the brain, and the quality of decisions made under pressureReset the nervous system
Under a 90-second physiological reset, mid0call, mid-meeting, mid-conflictLead difficult conversations
Apply a 3-step reset script for high-emotion owner and committee conversations – without escalation or absorbing the emotional costApply the P.E.A.C.E framework
A 5-part inner framework that becomes a daily anchor for sustainable performanceChoose one 1% shift
Walk out with a single, specific micro-habit they’ll start tomorrow morning – plus peer accountability built into the room
1:20 pm | Principals Stream: Cyber Resilience: Preventing, Preparing for and Responding to Cyber Attacks
Cyber threats are no longer a question of if but when. For business owners and leaders, understanding how to reduce risk, protect critical assets and respond effectively when an incident occurs is essential to safeguarding operations, reputation and financial stability.
This interactive 45-minute session will explore the practical steps organisations can take to strengthen their cyber hygiene and reduce their exposure to increasingly sophisticated cyber threats. From staff awareness and access controls to data protection, business continuity planning and risk management, attendees will gain a clearer understanding of the foundations of cyber resilience.
The session will then shift focus to the reality of a cyber incident, examining what happens when a ransomware attack or data breach occurs. Expert speakers will guide attendees through the critical first hours and days following an attack, including who should be involved in the response team, key decision-making considerations, communication obligations, business continuity measures, and the role of external advisers and specialist support.
Featuring insights from financial and insurance professionals, the discussion will also address the financial impacts of cyber incidents, the importance of cyber insurance, risk mitigation strategies, and how organisations can better prepare for recovery.
Attendees will leave with practical actions to strengthen their cyber preparedness, a clearer understanding of incident response responsibilities, and greater confidence in leading their organisation through a cyber crisis.
Session is proudly sponsored by Macquarie Bank
2:15 pm | Principals Stream: Supporting staff through stressful situations
Strata professionals operate in one of the most demanding environments, navigating conflict, constant decision-making, regulatory pressure, and the expectations of owners, committees, and communities every day. Over time, that pressure can take a significant toll on mental well-being, resilience, and professional performance.
This practical and engaging session will explore how to recognise the early warning signs of burnout and the impact if left unchecked, manage difficult interactions with greater emotional control, and build habits that support long-term resilience. Understand practical mental resilience strategies that can be applied immediately in high-pressure situations, helping you protect your staff and your own mental wellbeing while continuing to perform at your best and deliver exceptional service to the communities you support.
Key Takeaways
- Recognise the early warning signs of stress, burnout, and psychological fatigue in yourself and your colleagues before they become significant issues.
- Understand practical mental resilience strategies that can be applied in high-conflict, high-pressure environments to maintain wellbeing and performance.
- Learn techniques to manage difficult interactions with greater emotional control, confidence, and professionalism.
- Explore the impact of cumulative stress and trauma, and why proactive self-care is essential for long-term success in the strata profession.
- Develop habits that support personal resilience, enabling you to recover from setbacks and remain effective under pressure.
- Leave with simple, actionable tools to protect your mental wellbeing while continuing to deliver exceptional service to clients and communities.
3:00 pm | Afternoon Tea
3:30 pm | Strata Manager Stream: Simulated AGM “New Kids on the Block”
A Convention favourite returns in 2026 – and this time, the drama starts from the very first meeting.
Our simulated AGM is back with a fresh twist, following a group of owners attending the first AGM in a newly registered NSW strata scheme that just happens to border Queensland.
Designed to capture the chaos, confusion and colourful personalities that often accompany a first AGM, this highly interactive session brings together owners, a developer, a strata manager, a building manager and an embedded network contractor in a lively, real-world scenario. Expect a fast-paced “what not to do” lesson from every angle, a tongue-in-cheek comparison between NSW and Queensland strata, and plenty of audience participation along the way.
Guiding the session will be David Bannerman, Principal of Bannermans Lawyers, and Wade McKenzie, CEO and Corporate Licensee of Strata Republic, who will unpack the realities of newly registered buildings, developer priorities and the inevitable clash between what developers want and what the “New Kids on the Block” think they’re getting.
Part theatre, part education and entirely entertaining, this is a session you won’t want to miss.
Session is proudly sponsored by Bannermans Lawyers
3:30 pm | Principals Stream: Addressing the Elephant in the Room
Warren Kennaugh
Public trust in the strata sector has become one of the biggest challenges facing our profession and one of the most important conversations we need to have. In this candid session, we’ll confront why confidence in strata has declined, what role individuals and organisations play in shaping that perception, and how we can lead the change needed to rebuild trust.
Through open discussion and practical insight, this session will explore the behaviours, communication strategies, and leadership approaches that strengthen credibility with clients, owners, committees, and the broader community. Participants will leave with actionable ideas to foster greater transparency, accountability, and professionalism within their own businesses, and a renewed commitment to improving the reputation of the strata sector as a whole.
Key takeaways:
- Explore the factors contributing to declining public trust in the strata sector and the opportunities to reshape its reputation.
- Reflect on the role that individuals and organisations play in building—or eroding—trust with clients, owners, and the broader community.
- Develop practical strategies to respond to criticism with openness, accountability and professionalism rather than defensiveness.
- Learn how transparent communication and authentic leadership can strengthen relationships and improve stakeholder confidence.
- Share experiences and insights with peers to identify common challenges and practical solutions for improving industry perceptions.
- Leave with a personal commitment and actionable ideas to positively influence trust, reputation, and professionalism within their own practice and across the strata sector.
3:30 pm | Strata Manager Stream: Insurance for Strata Managers
Insurance is a critical part of strata management, but navigating commissions, premium netting and disclosure obligations can be complex. This practical session will unpack the key issues for strata managers, providing greater clarity around insurance remuneration and what transparency looks like in practice.
Explore how to confidently communicate insurance arrangements with clients, respond to challenging questions and reduce reputational risk. With a focus on practical strategies and professional integrity, this session will help strata managers have more open conversations, strengthen client trust and protect their business and reputation.
Key Takeaways
- Gain clarity on insurance commissions and premium netting, including how these arrangements operate within the strata industry.
- Strengthen their understanding of disclosure obligations and why transparency is critical to maintaining client trust and meeting professional expectations.
- Develop practical communication techniques for confidently explaining insurance remuneration and responding to challenging client questions.
- Recognise how transparent practices reduce reputational risk and contribute to stronger client relationships.
- Leave with practical strategies to communicate openly about insurance arrangements while protecting their business, reputation, and professional integrity.
5:00 pm | Networking Drinks
Day 2 – Wednesday 23 September
8:00 am | Breakfast & SCA (NSW) AGM
9:30 am | Strata Manager Stream: Balancing diverse stakeholders – leading through competing expectations
Panel led by Professor Hazel Easthope, UNSW’s City Futures Research
Presentation + Panel session
Strata communities bring together people with different backgrounds, experiences, priorities and expectations. When those interests collide, how do we make decisions that are fair, transparent and trusted?
Led by Professor Hazel Easthope, this presentation and panel will explore how diversity shapes stakeholder expectations and decision-making, and what it takes to navigate competing interests without losing sight of purpose, fairness or organisational integrity.
Through practical insights, discussion and real-world scenarios, attendees will explore strategies for communicating with diverse audiences, navigating difficult conversations and building trust across owners, boards, staff, regulators and communities.
You’ll leave with practical frameworks and actionable tools to help manage competing expectations, strengthen engagement and make confident, values-based decisions — even when everyone can’t get what they want.
Key takeaways:
- Understand how diversity shapes stakeholder expectations, recognising how culture, communication styles, age, disability, life stage, and lived experience influence perspectives and decision-making.
- Develop practical strategies for managing competing stakeholder interests while maintaining fairness, transparency, and organisational integrity.
- Strengthen communication skills to engage effectively with diverse audiences, navigate difficult conversations, and build trust across multiple stakeholder groups.
- Explore governance approaches that support balanced, values-based decisions when competing priorities cannot all be accommodated.
- Apply practical frameworks to real-world scenarios, building confidence in responding to complex stakeholder challenges with clarity and consistency.
- Leave with actionable tools to foster inclusive engagement, strengthen relationships, and create better outcomes for members, boards, staff, regulators, and the communities they serve.
Session is proudly sponsored by Dapcor
9:30 am | Principals Stream: Risk, Responsibility and Reputation
Part 1: Law
Part 2: Indemnity
As the responsibilities of strata managers continue to evolve, so too do the legal, financial and reputational risks associated with the profession. Understanding where liability arises – and how to minimise it – is essential for protecting both your clients and your business.
This practical session combines legal expertise with risk management insights. Hear from a leading strata lawyer who will examine real cases where strata managers have faced legal action, highlighting the decisions, behaviours and circumstances that contributed to the outcome.
An insurance specialist will then explore the role of professional indemnity insurance, common claims, policy considerations, and practical steps to reduce risk before issues escalate.
Together, these perspectives will provide attendees with practical strategies to strengthen professional practice, improve decision-making, and protect their reputation.
Key Takeaways:
- Examine real legal cases to understand where strata managers can be exposed to personal and professional liability.
- Identify common risk factors that lead to disputes, claims, negligence allegations, and professional misconduct.
- Understand the role and limitations of professional indemnity insurance, including what is—and is not—typically covered.
- Learn practical risk management strategies to reduce exposure through effective documentation, communication, governance, and decision-making.
- Strengthen confidence in managing complex situations, knowing when to seek legal or insurance advice before issues escalate.
11:00 am | Morning tea
11:30 am | Strata Manager Stream: What keeps Strata Managers up at night
Strata management is rarely predictable, and the challenges facing strata managers continue to grow. From demanding clients and difficult behaviours to regulatory change, competing priorities and the ever-present pressure to get it right, what really keeps strata managers up at night?
This candid and practical session explores the issues managers navigate every day, with a focus on real-world strategies for managing pressure, difficult conversations, and competing demands. Hear from industry peers about the challenges they face, what has worked, what hasn’t, and how they continue to deliver for their clients in an increasingly complex profession.
Walk away with practical ideas to strengthen communication, protect your resilience, manage expectations and stay effective when the pressure is on.
Key Takeaways:
- Explore the biggest challenges facing strata managers today, including increasing client expectations, regulatory change, workload pressures, difficult behaviours and reputational risk.
- Learn practical strategies for managing competing priorities, making confident decisions and maintaining service standards in high-pressure environments.
- Strengthen communication skills for navigating difficult conversations, setting expectations and building trust with owners corporations, committees and residents.
- Discover techniques for protecting personal resilience, managing stress and avoiding burnout while maintaining professional performance.
- Gain insights from industry peers on common challenges, successful approaches and lessons learned from managing complex situations.
11:30 am | Principals Stream: What keeps CEOs up at night
Today’s leaders are navigating unprecedented levels of complexity, pressure and uncertainty. From workforce challenges and regulatory change to financial pressures, technology disruption and stakeholder expectations, CEOs are being asked to lead with confidence while managing constant competing priorities.
This interactive leadership workshop will explore the real and emerging issues occupying the minds of senior executives and industry leaders and how organisations can respond strategically and sustainably in a rapidly changing environment.
Through candid discussion, practical insights and shared experiences, attendees will unpack the leadership challenges shaping today’s business landscape and examine the strategies that help organisations remain resilient, adaptable and future-focused.
Key Takeaways:
- Explore the key issues keeping CEOs awake at night, including workforce capability, financial sustainability, regulatory change, technology, governance, and stakeholder expectations.
- Gain insights into how senior leaders prioritise competing demands, balancing short-term operational pressures with long-term strategic objectives.
- Identify practical leadership strategies for navigating uncertainty, driving organisational resilience, and leading through periods of change.
- Examine approaches to building high-performing teams, fostering accountability, and creating cultures that support innovation, wellbeing, and adaptability.
- Understand the importance of strategic decision-making in complex environments, including how to communicate difficult decisions with confidence and transparency.
- Leave with practical ideas and peer insights to strengthen leadership capability, anticipate emerging challenges, and position their organisations for future success.
12:30 pm | Lunch
1:30 pm | Key Note 3: Leading Through Change, Innovation and Opportunity
Gus Balbontin
Meet Gus. The speaker who’s anything but ordinary.
In his forward-thinking keynote, Gus Balbontin will challenge attendees to rethink how they approach change, opportunity and growth. Drawing on his experience as a business leader, innovator and executive, Gus will explore how organisations can remain relevant, agile and future-focused in uncertain times.
Gus crafts a transformative experience that energises and empowers. By connecting deeply with the audience, he ensures that the lessons learned resonate on a personal level, equipping each participant with the confidence and tools needed to turn inspiration into tangible, meaningful action.
“I will make you laugh hard and equally think deeply about the puzzles of running a business in today’s world”
Gus is here to disrupt us, to push us, to make us think differently. Unlike futurists, Gus won’t tell us what’s coming, but he will make sure we are all ready for it.
2:30 pm | Wrap Up
2:35 pm | Close
6:30 pm | Awards Pre-Dinner Drinks – please note Awards tickets are NOT INCLUDED in convention tickets and can be purchased separately here.
KEY NOTES
Shaping What Comes Next: Leading Through Change, Innovation and Opportunity
Gus Balbontin
You’re about to meet a speaker who is anything but ordinary!
Born in the wonderful land of Patagonia and with a healthy disregard for the status quo, Gus Balbontin has hitchhiked across continents, built businesses and landed a dream job at Lonely Planet, innovated and partnered with tech giants like Amazon & Google X – he is the ultimate disruptor.
Gus us here to disrupt us, to push us, to make us think different. Unlike futurists Gus won’t tell us what’s coming but he will make sure we are all ready for it.
His secret? A rebellious mindset, sharp common sense and a contagious energy that turns “what if” into “why not”.
In this forward-thinking keynote, Gus Balbontin will challenge attendees to rethink how they approach change, opportunity and growth. Drawing on his experience as a business leader, innovator and former executive at Lonely Planet, Gus will explore how organisations can remain relevant, agile and future-focused in uncertain times.
Protecting What Matters: Resilience, Wellbeing and Sustainable Leadership
In this thought-provoking and practical keynote, Chelsea Pottinger explores the human side of leadership in high-pressure industries. Drawing on research in resilience, wellbeing and sustainable performance, she will share strategies to help leaders navigate uncertainty, avoid burnout and create cultures that support both accountability and care.
Through real-world insights and actionable tools, this session will challenge attendees to rethink success, strengthen their capacity to lead through change, and focus on what truly matters to themselves, their teams, and the communities they serve.
Chelsea Pottenger is an international keynote speaker, bestselling author of The Mindful High Performer, and founder of EQ Minds.
A psychology postgraduate and former corporate high-performer, she now empowers professionals with science-based strategies for mental wellbeing and sustainable success. Having partnered with leading brands like Google, Amazon, NAB, and Allianz, Chelsea’s insights are trusted by top performers across industries.
Protecting What Matters: Leading with Trust, Influence and Connection
Scott Taylor
In this engaging and energetic session, Scott Taylor will explore how leaders can strengthen connection, build trust and create cultures where people feel heard, valued and aligned. Drawing on his experience in leadership, workplace culture and behavioural dynamics, Scott will unpack the communication habits and leadership approaches that help organisations thrive under pressure.
With practical insights and relatable stories, attendees will learn how to navigate difficult conversations, inspire confidence and foster stronger collaboration across teams, clients and stakeholders.
Scott is a Combined Communications Expert and Security Global Thought Leader with over 32 years of experience protecting what’s important and inspiring audiences through powerful stories and sharp insights.
Having appeared on every major Television network and Radio Station throughout Australia, Scott’s unique blend of storytelling and behavioural psychology translates to him being a highly sought-after Keynote, Virtual Speaker and Specialist Educator. He creates contextualised talks that not only motivate but also challenge and shift behaviour and thinking.
EXHIBITORS
Interested in exhibiting/sponsoring
Reach out to our events team for exhibiting/sponsorship options – [email protected]
ACCOMMODATION
SCA (NSW) has secured a limited allocation of rooms at the Sofitel Wentworth for Convention delegates. These rooms are available exclusively through SCA (NSW) and will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis until the allocation is exhausted.
Once all allocated rooms have been booked, delegates are welcome to make accommodation arrangements directly with the Sofitel Wentworth, subject to the hotel’s availability and booking terms.
Please note that any accommodation booked directly with the hotel is the responsibility of the delegate, including all booking, cancellation and refund arrangements.
VENUE
Sofitel Sydney Wentworth
61-101 Phillip Street, Sydney, NSW
CONTACT
Questions about the Convention?
Chat to the events team at SCA NSW – [email protected] or (02) 9492 8200
SCA (NSW) SUITCASING POLICY
SCA (NSW) has a no-tolerance policy regarding “suitcasing,” which describes the practice by nonexhibiting companies or individuals of soliciting sales or sales leads in the conference hotel, on the tradeshow floor, in the aisles or lobbies and/or representing their services or soliciting conference participants for conflicting social activities and wearing company logo wear.
Nonexhibiting suppliers participating in the conference as attendees or speakers are prohibited from soliciting business on the tradeshow floor, in or after sessions, or in the conference hotel or taking delegates out for meals throughout the 2 day Convention.
It is considered bad form to conduct business outside of your booth. Talking to clients or prospects in or in front of someone else’s booth is also a violation of SCA (NSW) policy and will not be tolerated. All parts of the exhibit must remain in the exhibitor’s assigned space. No exhibit will be allowed to infringe upon aisle space.
Violators of this policy will be ejected from the convention and charged the single-booth rate ($5,742), which must be paid prior to registering as an attendee, exhibitor, or sponsor at any future SCA convention or other events.
SCA (NSW) will also not permit any organisation that is not a sponsor of the conference to host any kind of event inviting the conference delegates within our conference dates. Whether they are a sponsor of the conference or not, to host any kind of invitation-only or private within our conference dates with conference delegates, that has not been booked and advertised through SCA, is not permitted. Breaking these conditions carries the penalty of suspension from the following year’s conference and potential loss of membership.
