FESPA Annual Conference ’24

Gus Balbontin announced as Keynote Speaker & Workshop Facilitator for the FESPA Annual Conference 2024. Now in its third year, the FESPA Annual Conference will take place on Friday 25 October 2024 at the Shangri-La Hotel, Sydney. The 2024 Conference is already shaping up to be bigger and better than before, offering more networking opportunities, thought-provoking innovative and interactive sessions and the chance to hear first-hand from leading industry specialists, all of which adds up to yet another memorable event. Early bird tickets are available here>>>

Born and bred in the wilds of Patagonia, Gus Balbontin’s journey from a small-town dreamer to a global business leader is nothing short of inspiring. At just 17, a combination of ambition, a healthy disrespect for authority, and an insatiable fear of missing out brought him to Australia. By 22, Gus had already dropped out of university, hitchhiked across South America, started his first business, and landed his dream job at Lonely Planet.

During his tenure at Lonely Planet, Gus led the company on a global scale, collaborating with industry giants such as Google X, Nokia, and Amazon to explore cutting-edge technologies, foster creative cultures, and build high-performing teams. Seeking a shift from corporate life, he returned to his entrepreneurial roots and became a key figure in Melbourne’s startup ecosystem as an investor, founder and mentor.

Nigel Davies, President FESPA Australia, “we are excited to welcome Gus Balbontin to our Annual Conference in Sydney, where attendees will have the unique opportunity to learn from his vast experience and innovative approach. His keynote address and facilitation of the Leadership Workshop promise to deliver invaluable insights and practical advice that will inspire and equip participants to tackle their own business challenges and drive success.”

“Gus’s storytelling prowess and passion for making a tangible difference in people’s lives have made him a sought-after speaker, so we are delighted that he will set the scene for our conference.”

Gus’s simplicity, infectious energy, and counterintuitive insights resonate deeply, motivating people to embrace change and think differently. Often regarded as a futurist, he doesn’t claim to predict the future but instead empowers others to focus on what they can control to navigate any future scenario. While he enjoys discussing trends and imagining a world driven by AI, he emphasizes the importance of actionable strategies over speculative forecasts.

See what took place last year >>>