About Us

Host Nation is the inspiration of tourism industry hosts and professionals who felt it was time to bring the operators together to be inspired, keep up to date, connect and grow in an ever-changing market.

Our Story

In the tourism space, we’ve weathered it all—from the unpredictable force of natural disasters to the complex, man-made challenges of the modern housing crisis. As hosts, we often find ourselves in the crosshairs of these shifting tides, navigating them in isolation.

We realized that while we are all facing the same hurdles, we rarely have a place to pull up a chair and talk.

Host Nation was born from a simple need: to exchange ideas, share the "war stories," and learn how to be the best in the business. Join Catherine and Kate as they sit down with fellow hosts to build a community that’s as resilient as it is inspired.

Meet the Team

Founder

Kate Mather

As the driving force behind South Coast Experiences, Kate specializes in making the unreachable, reachable. She connects travelers with the best of regional NSW, from secret stays to private culinary experiences.

Kate’s 20-year career has been defined by a deep immersion in the luxury market. She doesn't just market boutique accommodation; she understands the DNA of what makes a guest experience exceptional.

Having just wrapped up a renovation on her own cottage in the Southern Tablelands, Kate is currently trading her "curator" hat for a "student" cap, eager to swap insights and tips with the industry’s best.

Founder

Catherine Shields

With 25 years in the hosting and renovation game, Catherine has seen—and built—it all. From the vibrant streets of Sydney, Australia to the serene NSW South Coast, her passion for property is currently channeled into a heritage-listed farmhouse near Berry, where she is proving that heritage style and modern sustainability belong together.

Catherine’s expertise isn't just hands-on; it’s strategic. She has chaired major boards like Destination Sydney Surrounds South, helping guide the region’s tourism future.

This leadership is backed by a creative pedigree in lifestyle media and brand management, where she spent years crafting beautiful content for the world’s leading international titles.