From the 18th-21st of May, OBrien Real Estate hosted its annual Leadership Conference at the breathtaking Mount Lofty Estate in the Adelaide Hills. The conference brought together 40 of the network’s office directors and top-performing agents for two days of meaningful connection, personal development, and strategic growth.
With the theme “Elevate Together,” the event celebrated an exceptional first half of 2025 and provided a forward-looking platform to strengthen leadership across the network.
The standout moment of the conference was a powerful keynote by Paul Taylor, neuroscientist and performance expert, who challenged attendees to rethink their approach to leadership, wellbeing and stress. His session on “Stress Fitness” was both deeply personal and highly practical, offering tools to build resilience, manage pressure, and make intentional changes in everyday life. His message resonated strongly across the room, leaving a lasting impact and prompting many to re-evaluate how they show up for themselves and their teams.
In addition to Taylor’s compelling keynote, attendees were inspired by insights from:
- Dr Sarah Bell, on the evolving role of AI and innovation in real estate
- Simon Power, who explored the process of recruitment in real estate
- REA Group, providing deep market intelligence and future-facing consumer insights
- Phil Harris, who shared actionable strategies for leading with energy and edge in today’s real estate market
- Direct Connect and BLANK Financial, Industry partners who shared some insights on the property landscape
The conference also featured a live Q&A session with Owen Wilson, CEO of REA Group, which offered a candid discussion of market trends, digital transformation, and leading in times of change.
Connection was a core focus of the event. From structured seating that encouraged cross-office engagement to breakout conversations designed to spark collaboration, the format ensured that ideas were exchanged, perspectives broadened, and new relationships formed.
Set against the stunning backdrop of the Adelaide Hills, the experience was complemented by exceptional local hospitality, including regional dining, curated wine tasting, and a relaxed bonfire evening that gave attendees space to reflect and connect outside of the conference setting.
“This wasn’t just a leadership conference—it was a reset. A reminder of what matters, where we’re going, and how much stronger we are when we come together,” said Managing Director Dean O’Brien.
Now a cornerstone in OBrien Real Estate’s annual event calendar, the Leadership Conference continues to support the network’s commitment to building culture, fostering innovation, and developing great leaders. Planning is already underway for 2026, with the next destination to be revealed soon.
OBrien Real Estate’s leaders leave Adelaide Hills inspired, united, and ready to lead the next chapter. Together.