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Gus Balbontin returns, not for a second keynote but to run a live innovation workshop on the problems the industry actually shares.

FESPA Australia has confirmed Gus Balbontin, former Executive Director and CTO of Lonely Planet, as headline speaker for its 2026 Conference at the Shangri-La Hotel Sydney on Friday 16 October. He returns two years after a keynote that, by the association’s account, is still being quoted, and he will not be repeating it. Instead, Balbontin will open the day with a short recap of the ideas that landed in 2024 before turning the room into a working session. Delegates will be introduced to a four-step innovation method he has refined over 25 years of building products and solving problems with teams around the world, then use it in small groups on real problems shared across the print, signage and visual communications industry, and pitch their solutions back to the room. The change of format reflects a deliberate decision by FESPA Australia to build the whole conference around participation rather than presentation. “We are at a point where technology is moving faster than the industry, and the opportunity is there for those who innovate. Disruption is what’s left for those who don’t,” Nigel Davies, FESPA Australia President. “You don’t watch this session. You do it. The ideas that come out of the room are a bonus. The takeaway is a method our members can run with their own teams the following week, and every time the next problem lands.”

The interactive approach carries through the rest of the program. Andrew Butow, co-founder of Earth2Mars and a specialist in AI-driven change, will run an Innovation Lab on where AI is taking business design and leadership beyond automation. A cross-generational panel facilitated by Bianca Martin brings together Sonya Beers, Karen Lawler, Nigel Spicer and Vincent Nair on what each generation of leaders sees that the other does not. Carl Harman, Principal at Imago Leadership, leads a discussion on what leadership will require in a decade of AI and human judgement. Sam McCool hosts the day and closes the formal program with a fast-paced session in which delegates put what they have learned to the test, before a networking lunch.

FESPA Australia Conference 2026 is on Friday 16 October at the Shangri-La Hotel, Sydney, from 8:45am to 3:00pm. _______________________________________________________________________________________

Following on from Gus will be Andrew Butow who will lead the interactive Innovation Hub Session at the Conference

We’re excited to announce that Andrew Butow, Co-Founder of Earth2Mars, will present and facilitate an engaging, interactive session at the FESPA Australia Annual Conference.

Designed to spark fresh thinking, meaningful debate and practical insights, the session will invite participants to explore some of the key challenges and opportunities shaping the future of work and leadership. Known for making complex topics accessible and engaging, Andrew’s work focuses on the intersection of people, technology and leadership. He helps organisations move beyond the hype, anxiety and fatigue surrounding AI to explore what it means in practical terms for their people, customers and competitiveness. Drawing on human-centred design, behavioural science and change leadership, Andrew challenges assumptions, surfaces real concerns and turns emerging technology into meaningful business action. Andrew believes that technology alone will not determine which organisations succeed in the age of AI. The real advantage will come from how confidently leaders adapt, make informed choices and engage their people in shaping what comes next. Expect an interactive and thought-provoking conversation that challenges assumptions, encourages participation and equips attendees with ideas they can take back to their organisations. Together, participants will debate, disrupt, focus on navigating change, embracing opportunity and becoming truly future ready.

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FESPA CONFERENCE 2025 – GALLERY

Gallery