Club Leaders Summit Program Overview
The Clubs SA Club Leaders Summit brings together industry leaders, corporate partners and experts across eight high-impact sessions:
Andrew Cooper, Executive Director - Coopers
We’re pleased to welcome Andrew Cooper to open the Club Leaders Summit and officially welcome delegates to Coopers Brewery.
Appointed as a Director in 2023, Andrew represents the sixth generation of the Cooper family to join the Board. Since joining the brewery in 2017, he has built extensive experience across national retail and on-premise channels.
In his current senior management role, Andrew oversees Coopers’ key national on-premise accounts and plays a leading role in growing the brewery’s export markets.
Andrew will begin the day by sharing an introduction to Coopers and setting the scene for the Summit ahead.
The Economic Landscape for 2026 and Beyond
Steve brings extensive experience in business banking and works closely with organisations across South Australia and Western Australia to support financial performance and long-term growth.
In this session, Steve will explore how national and state economic trends, including inflation, consumer confidence and cost-of-living pressures, are shaping the current landscape.
He will provide valuable insights to help clubs navigate the next phase of financial and strategic planning with confidence.
The Future of Club Hospitality
Allan Forsdick from Future Food will explore how food and service have become one of a club’s most powerful competitive advantages.
This session will unpack the full lifecycle of a food and beverage offering, from concept through to delivery, along with the role of guest experience design in driving engagement and loyalty. Attendees will gain practical insights into hospitality strategies that position clubs as vibrant, go-to destinations within their communities.
Macro Trends Shaping the Future of Sociability & the Alcohol Category
Allan Dib, Head of Consumer Foresight & Commercial Sustainability - Lion
Each year, Allan Dib delivers a compelling macro-trends presentation, exploring the key forces shaping Australians’ lives and what they mean for the alcohol and hospitality landscape.
For 2026, the outlook highlights a shift in the national mindset from polarisation to retreat, with growing caution, reduced social connection and widening social divides. At the same time, overall alcohol consumption is declining, despite population growth, as people socialise less and drink more intentionally.
This session will explore what this means for clubs and the broader hospitality sector, posing a critical question: if drinking is inherently social, what happens when people are becoming less social?
Allan will unpack how future growth will rely on re-energising social connection, and the opportunity for clubs to play a powerful role as both a force for good and a driver of meaningful, shared experiences.
Following this session, we will hear from our Beverage and Wine Partners in a panel discussion exploring consumption trends and the innovations shaping the category.
This conversation will provide practical insights into what’s driving on-premise success and how clubs can adapt their offering to meet changing consumer behaviours.
Artificial Intelligence and the Club of Tomorrow
Ted Deane from AI Masters Dojo will bring a practical, business-focused perspective on how AI can be applied within club operations.
With more than 30 years’ experience in software development and a strong focus on AI, Ted specialises in making complex technology understandable, actionable and commercially relevant for leaders.
In this session, Ted will share how tools such as automation and predictive analytics can reduce administrative workload, strengthen compliance reporting and enhance member engagement, providing clear, real-world applications for clubs.
Property, Assets & Diversification - Unlocking Value in Club Assets
Tom Rowe, Partner - McGees Property
How can clubs unlock greater value from the facilities they already have?
In this session, Tom Rowe from McGees will explore practical strategies to help clubs maximise their assets while planning for long-term sustainability.
Covering key areas such as leasing opportunities, redevelopment potential and diversification, this session will provide clear, commercially grounded insights to support stronger financial performance.
Tom brings extensive experience in commercial real estate across a range of asset classes and has been a Partner at McGees since 2021. With approximately 15 years in commercial valuation and consultancy, he offers a deep understanding of the key drivers of value and how to unlock them in the marketplace.
Sport & Recreation Facilities - Planning for the Future
Neil Tredwell, Managing Director of Tredwell Management, brings nearly 30 years of experience in sport, recreation and open space planning.
Having led hundreds of projects across Australia and New Zealand, Neil is known for his practical, solutions-focused approach to delivering facilities that are sustainable, fit-for-purpose and aligned with community needs.
In this session, Neil will share real-world insights into how clubs can effectively plan, fund and deliver sport and recreation facilities, with a focus on collaboration, securing funding and making strategic investments that support long-term participation and community outcomes.
Gaming, Wagering and Venue Operations
Tabcorp, Max Gaming & Rob Mullarvey - Independent Gaming Analysis
An integrated session with TAB, MAX Gaming and Independent Gaming Analysis, exploring how clubs can optimise venue performance through aligned wagering and gaming strategies, supported by modern systems, technology and evolving customer behaviour insights.
Marketing, Storytelling & Brand Connection
James Anderson from Hop To It Collective will explore how clubs can build stronger emotional connections through the power of storytelling.
This session will focus on how to effectively communicate your club’s community impact, attract new audiences and strengthen member loyalty in an increasingly competitive digital landscape, with practical ideas you can apply straight away.
Event Inclusions
The day has been thoughtfully structured to balance valuable content with time to connect and recharge. Enjoy coffee on arrival, scheduled breaks between sessions, morning tea and a catered lunch, followed by networking drinks to conclude the day.
Tickets are extremely limited, so we encourage you to secure your place early. The full agenda will be distributed to registered attendees prior to the event.
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