YP has been the leading advocacy and networking group on the coast since 2010! YP Gold Coast aims to motivate, inspire and connect future city leaders.
The wait is over!
After introducing our brilliant panellists—Jeff McAlister, John Warn, Lisa Burquest, and Bob East—we’re ready to reveal the icing on the cake for this year’s YP Gold Coast’s 2024 City Leaders Forum, presented by Morgans Gold Coast.
Introducing your keynote speaker: Kim Seeling Smith, Business Futurist and all-around thought leader on the Future of Work.
Kim is the mastermind helping businesses navigate the ever-evolving world of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and what she calls the Polycrisis—a complex web where multiple crises converge and impact one another. She’s literally sat at the table with Sir Richard Branson and has been named one of the Top 101 Global Influencers on Employee Engagement.
Not to mention, she’s authored books alongside business legends like Brian Tracy and frequently appears on The Today Show, in Forbes, CEO Magazine, and beyond.
Originally a CPA with KPMG, Kim now fuses her business expertise with cutting-edge insights into how organisations can future-proof themselves. Her thought-provoking perspectives will inspire you to reimagine the workplace and equip your organisation for tomorrow, with AI at the centre of the conversation.
In her keynote, Kim will dive deep into our theme: Future Proofing the Gold Coast: Talent, Technology & Transformation. She’ll take you through the tools you need to embrace innovation, nurture top-tier talent, and ride the wave of transformative technologies that are shaping the world right now.
Don’t miss out—tickets are still available for $190 per person, which includes a two-course lunch, a three-hour beverage package, live entertainment, and unbeatable networking opportunities.
Tickets are selling fast. Secure your spot now and get ready to be inspired by Kim and our stellar panel of speakers!
As we edge closer to YP Gold Coast’s 2024 City Leaders Forum, presented by Morgans Gold Coast, it’s time to introduce our fourth panellist for this year’s event—Bob East.
Bob is a dynamo in leadership and strategy, with an impressive resumé that includes his role as Chair of Experience Co (ASX: EXP), Australian Venue Co (ASX: AVC), Leisure Accommodation Collective (ASX: LAC), Cettire Limited (ASX: CTT), and the Gold Coast SUNS AFL team.
In case that wasn’t enough, he also has a background of top-tier executive experience across hospitality, tourism, and private equity as well as being the former Chair of Tourism Australia.
Bob’s most notable achievement? Transforming Mantra Group into Australia’s largest accommodation provider, before leading the company to a $1.3 billion sale to Accor. Talk about knowing how to scale and deliver results!
From the boardrooms of global private equity firms to steering national tourism and event organisations, Bob brings an extraordinary wealth of knowledge and insight into Future Proofing the Gold Coast—our theme for this year’s forum.
He’s seen it all and done it all, and now, he’s ready to share his experiences with us.
Get ready to hear Bob’s thoughts on leading through transformation, harnessing opportunity, and navigating change in some of the most competitive sectors out there.
And stay tuned—because up next, we’ll be revealing our final panellist and keynote speaker!
Lock in your spot now with tickets available for just $190 per person. That includes a two-course lunch, a three-hour beverage package, live entertainment, and the chance to network with forward-thinking professionals like yourself.
You won’t want to miss it. Secure your place today and join us as we shape the future of the Gold Coast!
It’s Friday! Time to kick back, relax, and—oh wait—there’s one more exciting thing to add to your end of week: the latest panellist reveal for YP Gold Coast’s 2024 City Leaders Forum, presented by Morgans Gold Coast!
Please welcome Lisa Burquest, Chief People Officer of Virgin Australia.
With over 27 years of senior experience in people and culture, Lisa is a heavy hitter when it comes to leading through transformation. From navigating global companies like BHP, Jetstar/Qantas, Origin Energy, and The a2 Milk Company, Lisa’s expertise spans a range of industries, making her the ultimate expert in shaping workplace culture, driving performance, and leading in times of rapid change.
At Virgin Australia, she’s helped navigate the airline’s 7,500-strong workforce through the turbulence of COVID-19 and the transformation under new ownership in 2020. Lisa knows what it takes to steer teams through change and set the stage for growth—expertise we can’t wait for her to share with you.
With her insights on people, culture, and organisational transformation, Lisa will bring fresh, forward-thinking ideas to the Future Proofing the Gold Coast discussion. If you’re eager to learn how to lead and thrive in fast-paced, evolving landscapes, you won’t want to miss Lisa’s insights.
General Admission tickets are still available for $190 per person. These tickets offer a delicious two-course lunch, a three-hour beverage package, live entertainment, and an unbeatable opportunity to connect with like-minded, forward-thinking professionals who share your passion for shaping the future of our city.
Secure your spot now! With Lisa and our incredible line-up of panellists, you can expect to walk away with actionable insights and fresh perspectives on the future of talent, technology, and transformation in our city.
2024 City Leaders Forum Speakers
Keynote: To be announced shortly
Panellists:
Jeff McAlister, Chief Investment Officer – Invest Gold Coast
John Warn, CEO – Experience Gold Coast
Lisa Burquest, Chief People Officer – Virgin Australia
Speaker 4 – To be announced shortly
P.S. Stay tuned as we’ll be announcing our final panellist and keynote speaker next week—trust us, it’s going to be the icing on the cake for this year’s event! Any guesses on who they may be?
With just under a month to go until this year’s YP Gold Coast City Leaders Forum, presented by Morgans Gold Coast, we’re back with another exciting reveal!
We’re thrilled to announce our second panellist—John Warn, the Chief Executive Officer of Experience Gold Coast.
John is a powerhouse of experience, driving tourism, events, arts, culture, and education outcomes for the Gold Coast—he’s all about making our city thrive. With an executive career spanning over 25 years, John’s worn a lot of impressive hats, from Chief Operating Officer at Accor Pacific to steering the ship at some of Australia’s most iconic brands like Westfield, David Jones, and even Westpac.
But that’s just scratching the surface. John’s deep expertise in hospitality, sports, and executive leadership means he’s been at the helm of major institutions—oh, and he’s also been Chair of both Destination NSW and Cricket NSW. This guy’s leadership track record is like a masterclass in steering industries towards success. Did we mention that he completed the Stanford Executive Program at the prestigious Stanford Graduate School of Business? Yep, he’s just that good.
With John’s vast experience in leading and shaping industries, he’s the perfect addition to our panel as we dive into our 2024 theme: Future Proofing the Gold Coast: Talent, Technology & Transformation. From tourism strategies to large-scale venue management (Olympic venues, anyone?), John will bring sharp insights on how the Gold Coast can continue to thrive and grow into the future.
Early bird tickets are now sold out! General admission are now available for $190 per person. For this you’ll get; a two-course lunch, a three-hour beverage package (because no one makes future-proofing decisions on an empty stomach), live entertainment, and the opportunity to network with Gold Coast’s sharpest young professionals who are as passionate about our city’s future as you are.
If you’re ready to hear how leaders like John are helping drive transformative change for our city—and get the chance to ask him your burning questions—then it’s time to secure your spot at the City Leaders Forum.
Join us in shaping what’s next for the Gold Coast—grab your ticket today and get ready for an inspiring afternoon of insights, innovation, and a whole lot of city pride.
See you there!
Introducing our first panellist—Jeff McAlister, Chief Investment Officer for the City Council’s Invest Gold Coast Department!
Jeff’s career is a masterclass in shaping the future of cities through strategic investment and economic development. He’s the guy behind the scenes, transforming vision into action—from growing Queensland’s tourism sector to positioning the Northern Territory as a major player in international trade.
And now, Jeff is steering the Gold Coast’s investment direction, ensuring we’re not just staying competitive, but leading the way.
With more than 20 years of experience in trade, investment, and industry development across Australia and New Zealand, Jeff has been instrumental in driving projects that have transformed industries and rejuvenated cities. He led Queensland’s tourism sector to record highs, steering it through the COVID-19 crisis and laying the foundation for a strong recovery.
And if that wasn’t enough, earlier in his career Jeff represented the New Zealand Government as Ambassador to Brazil, where he attracted major international investments in sectors such as agribusiness and gas, while boosting exports.
His expertise is broad, his impact deep, and his vision perfectly aligned with what we’re focusing on this year, Future Proofing the Gold Coast.
Jeff will bring his wealth of experience to the conversation, offering insights on how we can attract investment, embrace cutting-edge technology, and harness the incredible talent on the Gold Coast to drive transformative change.
We’re so excited to have Jeff kick things off, and we’ve got even more incredible panellists lined up that we’ll be announcing in the coming weeks. So, stay tuned!
For now, though, you can lock in your spot on Friday 18th October 2024 with limited early bird tickets available for just $180 pp. This includes a two-course lunch, three-hour drinks package, live entertainment, and the full City Leaders Forum experience.
We hope to see you there!
Our Eighth Annual Entrepreneurs Forum, was nothing short of spectacular, bringing together some of our city’s most inspiring entrepreneurs. The event highlighted why the Gold Coast is quickly becoming Australia’s entrepreneurial hotspot, backed by fresh data showing we have the highest number of founders per capita in the country.
According to the latest report from OnDeck, the Gold Coast has a staggering 143.5 founders for every 10,000 users on professional social media platforms—72 percent higher than the national average. It’s clear to see that our city’s perfect mix of lifestyle, innovation, and opportunity is a breeding ground for start-up success.
Entrepreneurs Forum 2024 Speakers
With a line-up of four of the region’s most dynamic entrepreneurs, this year’s forum shined a light on why the Gold Coast is the place to be for start-ups and dream chasers.
The panel, moderated by our Vice President, Jacqueline Bojanowski, touched on the importance of perseverance, because success is a marathon, not a sprint, understanding customers who are, after all, the reason for your business, and maintaining a well-prepared investor network because funding doesn’t just fall from the sky.
The mastermind behind Outbound, Luke Rust, who has turned travel and transport logistics on its head, gave an insightful crash course in staying nimble and innovative in a world that’s always on the move.
Deb Farnworth-Wood, the brains behind Australian Skin Clinics, shared her rollercoaster journey of revolutionising the beauty industry, showing us all that with a bit of grit and a lot of customer love, anything’s possible.
The queen of craft beer from Burleigh Brewing, Peta Fielding, captivated the crowd with her tale of crafting a beer empire from the ground up. Her recipe for success? Community spirit and staying true to her brand.
Jason Atkins, the equity guru from Cake Equity, demystified the complex world of funding and financial growth. His ability to inject a dose of excitement into equity management left attendees feeling as though they had stumbled upon the best-kept secret of finance.
Ambitious, Connected, Healthy
As YP Gold Coast’s Entrepreneurs Forum grows, it continues to be the go-to event for celebrating local business talent and inspiring the next wave of business leaders. With our high concentration of founders and a business-friendly environment, the Gold Coast is set to continue its rise as Australia’s entrepreneurial hotspot.
The 2024 forum was a celebration of what makes the Gold Coast great: our people, our ideas, and our passion. With trailblazers like Luke Rust, Deb Farnworth-Wood, Peta Fielding, and Jason Atkins leading the charge, the future looks brighter than ever for Gold Coast entrepreneurs.
So, here’s to another year of innovation, growth, and success on the Gold Coast! Cheers to the entrepreneurs who are putting our city on the map, one brilliant idea at a time.
The Gold Coast, renowned for its pristine beaches and vibrant lifestyle, is facing a mounting challenge: a severe shortage in affordable housing supply, leaving young professionals in the lurch. As demand continues to surge, the gap between supply and demand widens, exacerbating affordability concerns and limiting housing options for the region’s burgeoning workforce.
The YP Gold Coast Committee recently attended the Property Council of Australia (PCA) event ‘What is the Outlook for Housing Supply?’ last Friday, 23rd February 2024, relating to the housing supply on the Gold Coast. Notably, there were a number of discussions relating to why this housing supply shortage is so mismatched with the demand. The demand for housing, particularly in urban centres and coastal areas, continues to surge, and the supply of available properties has continually failed to meet these escalating needs.
Promisingly, Meaghan Scanlon – the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Planning and Minister for Public Works, stated that the Queensland Government was working through solutions with talks of infill development grants and a state-facilitated development unit.
Our concern with this approach is that the private sector is delivering a staggering 95% of homes, and the prices of these homes are only surging higher. Relative to other regional markets, the Gold Coast has recorded one of the highest rates of dwelling value growth over the past year at 11.15%.
Not enough is being done for young professionals and first home buyers, with this housing crunch translating into fierce competition and limited options. Rental prices have also skyrocketed, placing immense strain on the budgets of those entering the workforce or navigating early career stages. Many find themselves grappling with exorbitant rental costs, which often consume a significant portion of their income, leaving little room for accumulating savings to get into the property market or invest in other areas of their lives.
The PCA event identified that addressing the Gold Coast’s housing supply shortfall demands a multifaceted approach that involves collaboration between policymakers, developers, community stakeholders, and industry players. The YP Gold Coast committee are eager to see greater efforts to streamline regulatory processes, incentivise affordable housing developments, and promote sustainable urban planning practices as essential steps toward fostering a more equitable and inclusive housing landscape.
Young Professionals Gold Coast Announces New Leadership to Drive Committee Forward
Young Professionals (YP) Gold Coast, the City’s leading networking and advocacy organisation for young professionals, has announced a changing of the guard bringing new leadership and a refreshed committee for 2024.
Former YP Gold Coast President Matthew Dodds has handed over the lead role to Joshua Lumley (Managing Director of Prmpt R&D Consulting), who previously served the committee in the role of Treasurer.
Joshua brings a wealth of experience and a fresh vision to lead YP Gold Coast into a new era, joined by the executive leadership team.
Continuing in their existing executive leadership roles are Vice President, Jacqueline Bojanowski (Director at Iggy Agency), and Secretary, Nicholas Rossi (Senior Associate at Marino Law) – their diverse skills and insights will continue add significant value to the committee’s operations.
In a notable transition, Adin Kenavan (Senior Accountant at PKF Gold Coast) takes over the role of Treasurer from general committee member, bringing a fresh perspective to the financial management of the organisation.
The committee is further strengthened by the continued dedication of general committee members James Fulton-Kennedy (Financial Adviser at Morgans Gold Coast), Lawrence Coulson (Senior Quantity Surveyor at RLB), Maddison Hunter (Associate at Lawnch), Madison Cooper (Account Director at Media Hunt Communications), Shannon Allen (Business Development Manager at BITS Technology Group), and Liam Morris (Principal Planner at Colliers).
YP Gold Coast also welcomes their newest addition, Megan Owen-Jones (Brand Coordinator at Social & Staple) as general committee member to drive the brand’s marketing activity.
This announcement is also a moment to honour the remarkable contributions of the outgoing President, Matthew Dodds. His impressive 5-year tenure on the YP Management Committee has been marked by significant achievements and enduring impact. Under his leadership, the organisation has flourished, setting a strong foundation for its future endeavours.
Joshua Lumley, in his inaugural address as President, expressed immense gratitude to Matthew Dodds for his tireless service and pioneering vision.
“Matt’s leadership has been instrumental in shaping YP Gold Coast into a dynamic and influential organisation,” said Lumley.
“We are committed to building on his work and continuing to drive world-class events and advocacy for young professionals here on the Gold Coast with some exiting things to come in 2024”.
As YP Gold Coast embarks on this new chapter, the refreshed committee is poised to elevate the organisation’s impact, fostering a vibrant community of young professionals and contributing to the broader Gold Coast region’s development as one of Australia’s fastest growing cities.
For more information about YP Gold Coast, its events, and initiatives, please visit ypgc.com.au.
Attracting over 400 of the brightest young professionals, this was without a doubt the greatest City Leaders Forum yet.
Presented by Morgans Gold Coast, the forum featured guest speakers:
- Mark Bouris
- David Crisafulli MP
- Adrienne Readings; and
- Andrew Tang
Catch out our event recap here! And our event photos here!
Author: Matthew Dodds
