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| Gus Balbontin |
At the Asia Pacific Incentives and Meetings Event (AIME) 2025, Gus Balbontin GAICD, former executive director of Lonely Planet, delivered a keynote that redefined what it means to thrive in a world of disruption. Drawing from adventures in Patagonia, tech innovation, and a mission to decarbonise the steel industry, Balbontin unpacked why adaptability is the ultimate competitive edge — not just for businesses, but for individuals.
Mastering Resourcefulness Over Resources
Balbontin’s story begins not with wealth or privilege, but with persistence. From securing an Australian visa against the odds to founding the Unrealistic Foundation, he’s proof that the ability to adapt trumps the size of your budget.His philosophy is simple: do more with less. Each year, he challenges himself to learn something completely new — be it cryptocurrency, astrophotography, or even glassblowing. This mental flexibility, he says, is what keeps him sharp and open to change.
For professionals and businesses alike, the takeaway is clear: curiosity isn’t a luxury, it’s your most valuable tool.
Avoiding the Trap of Inflexibility
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| Gus Balbontin |
Instead of resisting change, he advocates for structured experimentation: keep systems agile enough to adapt, yet ordered enough to deliver results. Striking this balance allows innovation to flourish without descending into chaos.
Innovation Starts With Solving Real Problems
Contrary to popular belief, innovation isn’t about the newest technology or the biggest ideas. For Balbontin, innovation is simply about solving problems. The most effective solutions are often small, targeted, and quick to implement.His framework is actionable:
- Start with a real user pain point.
- Make the solution small enough to test immediately.
- Iterate fast and often.
This approach is especially urgent for industries slow to change. Balbontin points to once-dominant brands like Kodak and Nokia as reminders of what happens when businesses cling to outdated models.
The Events Industry Must Lead, Not Lag
Speaking directly to event professionals at AIME, Balbontin urged them to embrace change before it becomes necessary. If events aren’t addressing the evolving needs of attendees, they’re already falling behind.He floated bold concepts like "events in a pill" — hyper-personalised experiences compressed into digestible formats — and even suggested pushing presenters far outside their comfort zones to spark creativity.
His challenge to the audience was pointed: Are you driving innovation, or waiting for disruption to dictate your next move?
10 Adaptability Takeaways to Lead With Confidence
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Adaptability is stronger than strength or intelligence.
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Momentum can be dangerous if misaligned with your audience.
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Embrace novelty to keep your thinking agile.
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Focus on solving real-world problems.
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Avoid over-engineering processes that stifle change.
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Start small, act now — don’t wait for the perfect plan.
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Innovation is empathy-driven, not ego-driven.
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Discard legacy thinking to make room for better solutions.
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Balance order with flexibility.
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Innovation is a discipline — not luck or magic.
The Future Belongs to the Adaptable
Balbontin’s message was more than motivational — it was a reality check. His call to action was urgent: in a world moving faster than ever, those who resist change are already behind.For the events industry, and for every business feeling the pressure of transformation, adaptability is no longer a nice-to-have. It’s the defining skill of future success.
The time to evolve is now.
For more about Gus Balbontin or to book him for your next event, visit www.icmi.com.au
For more travel inspiration read the daily online "The Holiday and Travel Magazine" https://theholidayandtravelmagazine.blogspot.com/
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