When the leaders shaping the future of business gathered at QuestX, Wedded Wonderland was part of the conversation.
In today’s business landscape, leadership is no longer defined solely by financial success. It is measured by the legacies we leave, the industries we shape, and the impact we create beyond profit.
That is why Wedded Wonderland was proud to attend QuestX, Australia’s premier leadership event, bringing together visionaries, founders, and executives who are reimagining what business can achieve when ambition meets purpose.
A Stage for Bold Ideas
QuestX showcased leaders who are transforming industries, and whose lessons extend directly into the world of weddings, events, and celebration tourism.
Yasser Zaki – Founder & Chairman, TLC Group
Zaki shared how hospitality and aged care can be reimagined through innovation and human-centered design. For the celebration industry, this reinforces the importance of guest experience, where hospitality is not just service but an act of cultural storytelling.
Ronni Kahn AO – Founder, OzHarvest
Kahn’s insights on food sustainability and social impact highlighted how brands can lead movements that outlast their products. In weddings and events, this connects to the rising demand for sustainable catering and conscious celebration choices.
David Hyman – CEO, Lendi Group & Aussie Home Loans
Hyman spoke on fintech disruption and scaling businesses into household names. His approach mirrors the opportunity in the celebration economy to leverage digital transformation and scalable platforms that connect couples, vendors, and destinations worldwide.
Sandra D’Souza – Founder, Ellect
D’Souza’s advocacy for gender equality and inclusive entrepreneurship is a reminder that industries thrive when diverse voices are elevated. In weddings, inclusivity is no longer optional. It is the standard couples expect in how destinations, brands, and vendors engage.
Professor Talal Yassine AM – Business Founder, Academic, Philanthropist
Yassine reflected on leadership that bridges education, investment, and community. This resonates with our work in building a knowledge-driven celebration ecosystem, where education and empowerment are as important as aesthetics.
Susan Wheeldon – Country Director, Airbnb (AU, NZ & Oceania)
Wheeldon discussed global tourism and brand leadership in a shifting travel landscape. The connection to celebration tourism is direct. Weddings are now multi-day travel experiences, driving tourism dollars and shaping global perceptions of destinations.
Frank Greeff – Co-Founder, Founders Table
Greeff spoke on proptech innovation and entrepreneurship. For venues within the wedding sector, this signals the growing role of technology in property experiences, from immersive venue showcases to data-driven guest engagement.
Jack Henderson – Founder, Henderson Advocacy
Henderson shared strategies for real estate and investment leadership. In the context of weddings and celebration tourism, his message underscores the value of place-making, investing in spaces that attract not only residents but also celebrations on a global scale.
Jessica Wilson – Entrepreneur, Co-Founder, Women Making Waves
Wilson’s story of tech entrepreneurship illustrated how bold ideas can shape global culture. This aligns with how digital platforms in the wedding sector can empower global connections between couples, cultures, and destinations.
Hayley Evans – Executive, Tavistock Group; Co-Founder, Waves Tech Ventures
Evans highlighted the art of scaling ventures with purpose. The lesson for our industry is that growth must be strategic and values-led, especially when scaling luxury event brands and destinations to attract global audiences.
Troy Sachs OAM – Paralympic Champion, Inclusive Leadership Advocate
Sachs inspired with his journey of resilience and adaptive leadership. His message resonates with the celebration economy’s need for inclusive experiences, ensuring weddings and events are accessible and welcoming to all.
Christian Stevens – Founder & CEO, Flint
Stevens spoke on finance, brokerage, and scaling with vision. His insights remind us that in weddings and events, financial strategy, from vendor models to destination investment, underpins the industry’s ability to grow sustainably.
Dain Walker – Brand Strategist, Entrepreneur, Author
Walker shared expertise on building brands that matter. For weddings and events, his message echoes the need for brand storytelling that transcends a single celebration, positioning destinations and vendors as cultural icons.
Why This Room Matters for Wedded Wonderland
At Wedded Wonderland, we have long championed the idea that the global celebration economy is more than weddings and events. It is a powerful cultural and economic driver that fosters connection, tourism, and legacy.
QuestX was a timely reminder that the same principles redefining leadership across fintech, hospitality, sustainability, and tourism are also shaping the future of weddings. Couples are no longer just planning events. They are seeking experiences with meaning, brands with purpose, and destinations with legacy.
Looking Ahead
Our presence at QuestX reinforced Wedded Wonderland’s role as a global connector at the intersection of luxury, leadership, and legacy. The lessons we brought back are clear:
- Hospitality is now cultural storytelling.
- Sustainability is a business imperative.
- Technology is the bridge between scale and intimacy.
- Inclusivity is the new standard for leadership.
The wedding and celebration industry is ready to embrace these truths. In doing so, it will lead not only in beauty but in impact.
For more expert advice on the global celebration industry, check out Wedded Wonderland. Still need help make your wedding dream a reality? Join our complimentary Wedded Concierge service or explore our Wedded Partners Global Listing to find the vendors and venue that matches your mood board. Let’s get Wedded!
