WHERE WE STARTED

Our Story

Hospitality Mavens was founded in 2020 with a single, clear goal: to give clubs and hospitality venues the expert marketing support they deserve, grounded in real industry experience, not agency guesswork.

1. THE BEGINNING

Matt Rafton, our founder, spent 20 years working across the club and hospitality sector before establishing Maer Group.

He saw first-hand that many venues had great people, strong ideas and loyal communities, but often lacked the marketing strategy, specialist capability and execution needed to turn that potential into sustainable growth.

Nicole Simon joined soon after, bringing deep industry knowledge, energy and a genuine passion for clubs. Together, they built a reputation as trusted advisors, combining practical experience with data-led thinking to help venues make better marketing decisions and achieve stronger results.

2. THE EVOLUTION

By 2023, the agency had grown into a specialist team of hospitality marketers, designers, digital experts and data analysts, all with a strong understanding of the club and venue sector.

In 2025, Maer Group became Hospitality Mavens. The new name reflected both how the business had evolved and what had always been at its core: trusted industry specialists combining experience, insight, creativity and partnership to help venues grow.

3. TODAY

Today, we partner with leading clubs, pubs and hospitality brands across Australia. Our approach is grounded in a simple belief: the best results come when strong strategy, meaningful data, creative thinking and close collaboration work together.

We also protect those partnerships by limiting our work with competing venues in close proximity.

That allows us to work closely with each partner, take initiative and bring the combined expertise of our strategy, data, creative, digital and marketing specialists to every challenge.

WHAT WE STAND FOR

Our mission,
vision and values

Mission

We mix data, strategy, and creativity to serve up winning hospitality marketing solutions.

Vision

To be recognised mavens of hospitality, transforming data into revenue, members into communities, and brands into icons.

Our Values

Act with integrity

Do what’s right, always.

Innovate fearlessly

Push boundaries, embrace creativity, and stay ahead.

Thrive with balance

Grow your craft, work smart, and make space for what matters.

Build meaningful partnerships

Collaborate, connect, and grow together.

Take initiative

Don’t wait, figure it out or figure out who can.

Win as a team

Support, celebrate, and succeed together.

HOSPITALITY MAVENS

The Club & Hospitality Marketing Experts

At Hospitality Mavens, our strength is our people.

With more than 25 years of experience across clubs and hospitality venues, our team understands the industry, the pressures, the opportunities and what it takes to grow in a changing market.

We’re strategists, marketers, creatives, digital specialists and data analysts, brought together by a shared focus on helping venues make smarter decisions and achieve stronger results.

Become a Maven

We’re always looking for talented marketers, strategists, and creatives who share our passion for the club and hospitality industry.

Careers