Queensland travel bosses swap planes for pavement at CEO Sleepout

The group, among other leaders, will be sleeping rough for one night on Thursday 18 June to raise vital funds for Australians experiencing homelessness.

The 2026 event will be Stark’s fourth year participating. He has raised almost $70,000 over the last three years for St Vincent de Paul.

“The sleepout remains to be one of the most humbling and rewarding days of the year for me. It’s a long, cold night that leaves a lot of time for reflection, perspective, and gratitude,” Stark said.

“It’s not lost on me that we’re in the business of creating these incredible holidays for our customers, but there are people out there that can’t afford to put a roof over their head. That’s why I choose to get involved every year.”

TEQ CEO Craig Davidson said participating in the Vinnies CEO Sleepout was an important opportunity to better understand the realities faced by many Australians.

“For me, at its core, this is about helping people sleeping rough, understanding how this comes to be, and asking how we can make a difference in what is a deeply complex issue,” Davidson said.

“I am particularly passionate about supporting mums, dads, and children who, for any number of reasons, find themselves without a safe place to call home.

“In a well-resourced country like Australia, we need to endeavour to do better.”

QTIC CEO Natassia Wheeler said she’s proud to stand alongside fellow industry leaders to help raise awareness.

“The tourism industry is deeply connected to communities across Queensland, and with that comes a responsibility to support those doing it tough,” she said.

“Even one night sleeping rough gives you perspective. It reinforces the importance of compassion, community and ensuring we don’t lose sight of the people who need support the most.”

Stark, Wheeler and Davidson are calling on colleagues, clients, and the broader industry community to get behind their fundraising efforts ahead of the event.