Into spring and our PIPA Awards for Excellence is fast approaching
September 2026. A note from the Chair, Cate Bakos.
A note from PIPA Chair Cate Bakos on the 2026 Annual Awards for Excellence, the Investor Sentiment Survey, a record month of media coverage, the new member portal, and a welcome to our Head of Operations.
We head into spring after a particularly challenging winter for many of us. From legislative tax changes to persistent inflation pressures, global geo-political changes and continued pressures on many of our businesses, 2026 is shaping up to be an interesting year.
Events
The 2026 Annual Awards for Excellence
Our judges have been very busy and we’re proud to have received over 100 nominations across 10 categories. The calibre of our entrants is phenomenal, and we look forward to announcing the finalists on Wednesday the 9th of September. Tickets go on sale the same day and will be available for 30 days only. Please keep a look out for a special rate for entire tables.
Advocacy
The Investor Sentiment Survey
Thank you to our membership for your continued support with our Annual PIPA Investor Sentiment Survey. The survey has always stood as an opportunity for us to have a voice in the property landscape, and arguably now, more than ever, our voice is very important.
Alongside my fellow board director, Veronica Morgan, we have engaged recently with the shadow housing minister, Senator Andrew Bragg and his colleagues, to discuss PIPA’s commitment to capture genuine investor feedback in real time. The rate of change in each year’s results underpins more than sentiment; investor decisions, actions and plans are echoed in this valuable collation of responses. This year’s results are in and the report is being prepared for imminent release. Our media opportunities are always bountiful following our survey findings, and this year’s results promise to be unlike any other year.
In the media
PIPA in the media
PIPA enjoyed a very busy month with journalist and media coverage; radio, television, printed media and online. August resulted in over 100 media mentions, which demonstrates the reach that our organisation has.
Membership
The website and your member portal
It’s with excitement that we share some of the things we’ve been working on in the background. Our website has had a refresh since its launch early this year. Our member portal is interactive and enables logo upload, business specialisation and the addition of corporate members, among a few other functions. Richard Crabb has volunteered many hours to the upgrade, and we are very grateful for his incredible support of the organisation throughout.
Our team
Welcome to our Head of Operations
We welcome our Head of Operations, Jenny Hall, to the role. Jenny brings decades of experience from the optometry industry in memberships and continuing professional development. Her can-do aura and her skills in event coordination, policy development and fiscal management spell an exciting opportunity for PIPA.
Vale Matt Skehan
In August, we were saddened by the sudden passing of a fellow PIPA member, Matt Skehan. Matt ran Azure Buyer’s Agency in Melbourne and was revered by his peers. Our thoughts are with Matt’s loved ones during this very difficult time.
On behalf of the Board, thank you for your continued support of PIPA. Together, we’re strengthening the integrity, professionalism, and future of our industry.
I look forward to seeing you at the 2026 PIPA Annual Awards for Excellence.
