Bernie Hogan is a seasoned leader and advocate with more than 25 years of experience across diverse sectors in Australia and internationally. He is currently the Chief Executive of the Queensland Hotels Association (QHA), where he has served since 2016. His career began at the grassroots level in hospitality, working in hotels and accommodation venues in North Queensland, Brisbane, and London. That early hands on experience has shaped his enduring understanding of the industry’s people, challenges, and potential. Throughout his career, Bernie has been committed to strengthening the voice of the hospitality and tourism sectors. He recognises the importance of a united and coordinated approach to advocacy—one that ensures all corners of the industry are represented and that their perspectives are reflected in government policy and regulatory outcomes. He brings extensive expertise in government liaison and media, and is a trusted contributor to a range of state-level initiatives, serving on both Government and Ministerial advisory boards. Before joining QHA, Bernie built a career spanning advocacy, media, and government, always driven by a passion for community connection. Despite his extensive leadership experience, he often reminds people that, like many in the industry, he started his journey behind the bar. This grounding fuels his belief in the vital role that hotels and hospitality venues play as entrepreneurial, job-creating, music-loving, and entertainment-driven hubs of local communities. Bernie remains dedicated to defending and advancing the interests of hospitality,