Gus Balbontin to Headline AADA Impel Feature Luncheon at AADA 2025 – A Luncheon Like No Other

 🗓 When: Wednesday, 23 July | 12:30 PM
📍 Where: The 2025 AADA Convention & Expo, Brisbane

From Patagonia to the Boardroom – and Beyond

Gus Balbontin’s story is anything but conventional. Raised amid Patagonia’s rugged beauty, he arrived in Australia aged 17 with nothing but grit, charisma, and an insatiable curiosity. Since then, he has hitch-hiked across continents, reinvented himself as a global business leader, and challenged some of the world’s most established companies to adapt – or be left behind.

As former Executive Director and CTO of Lonely Planet, Gus has worked at the forefront of innovation with industry titans like Google X and Amazon. Today, he’s a passionate advocate for adaptability, helping organisations evolve beyond outdated models to succeed in an ever-changing world.

What Sets Gus Apart?

Let’s be clear: Gus doesn’t do ‘vanilla’. He brings energy, edge, and lucidity to the complexities of modern business. In a recent keynote, he dismantled stale ideas about innovation, championed structured experimentation, and delivered this punchy insight: “You don’t need a perfect plan. You need to start.”

And that’s only the beginning. Gus’s take on adaptability, the perils of rigidity, and how curiosity fuels innovation is not just inspiring – it’s actionable. If you’ve ever felt paralysed by uncertainty or overwhelmed by change, Gus will recalibrate your mindset and reignite your sense of direction.

Why This Luncheon Matters

This isn’t your standard networking lunch. The AADA Impel Feature Luncheon is designed to cut through the noise – and spark vision.

Gus will challenge assumptions, push boundaries, and reveal why adaptability is your greatest competitive advantage. Expect bold ideas, practical frameworks, and a few curveballs that could transform your approach to leadership, customer experience, and more.

Expect the Unexpected

If you’re after a checklist and a cushy seat, this may not be your session. But if you’re ready to be challenged, energised, and moved to act – front row is where you’ll want to be.

Seats Are Limited – Book Now

This is a rare opportunity to hear from one of the most dynamic voices in business transformation today. Gus Balbontin doesn’t just speak about the future – he builds it, lives it, and helps others adapt with confidence.

The AADA Impel Feature Luncheon is a ticketed event with limited capacity. Don’t delay. This session might just shift not only how you think – but what you do next.

👉 Register now to secure your seat at the AADA Impel Feature Luncheon.