AI Transformation for 2025 and Beyond: Preparing for What Comes Next

The AI shift isn’t coming. It’s already here, accelerating faster than most businesses anticipated. What was once viewed as a supporting tool is now shaping up to be the infrastructure driving growth, innovation, and competitiveness across industries.

EO Melbourne’s recent event, AI Transformation for 2025 and Beyond, gave members the chance to explore this reality and uncover the opportunities and challenges AI presents. With insights from Zanyar Outhman (Zuse Digital, Jabri) and Dan Petrovic (DEJAN), the discussion focused on practical questions every entrepreneur must now face.

An Evening of Leadership Insights with Larry Kestelman

How often do you get the chance to sit just metres from a billionaire and hear the unfiltered truth behind his journey? EO Melbourne members were treated to such a rare occasion at Up Close and Personal with Larry Kestelman. Held at the striking Fantauzzo Gallery in South Yarra, the evening featured EO member Leah Akoka, Founder and Managing Director of Wall Street, guiding the conversation as the host.

Startup to Scaling Up with Women in EO: Stories of Grit and Growth

Women in entrepreneurship are reshaping the business landscape through building, scaling and leading with resilience and purpose. EO Melbourne’s Startup to Scaling Up event placed that journey centre stage as it gathers a dynamic audience of founders, business owners, and aspiring EO members to hear directly from female leaders who’ve done just that.

The discussion pulled back the curtain on what it really takes to grow a business: the hard decisions, the high stakes, and the deeply personal wins. Fresh from the Fireside Chat with The Hon. Julia Gillard AC, the audience was treated to even more insights, this time from female EO members who are leading from the frontlines of business.

Only in EO: A Candid Conversation on Leadership with The Hon. Julia Gillard AC

EO Melbourne recently hosted a powerful and thought-provoking Fireside Chat with The Hon. Julia Gillard AC, Australia’s 27th Prime Minister, and the first and only woman to have held the role. This exclusive EO event offered members a rare opportunity to hear firsthand from one of the nation’s most respected leaders, whose insights into leadership, trust, and resilience left a lasting impression on all who attended.

A Night to Remember: EO Melbourne’s Annual Awards & Gala Dinner 2025

On Saturday, 21 June, the Grand Ballroom of The Ritz-Carlton, Melbourne, was filled with energy, elegance and emotion as EO Melbourne gathered for the most anticipated event of the year: the Annual Awards & Gala Dinner.

More than a celebration, the evening marked the close of an incredible financial year, honoured outstanding achievements, and welcomed the chapter’s new leadership. Guests arrived in style, caught up with peers and friends, and embraced the spirit of connection that defines the EO experience.

Elite Performance Intensive with Itamar Marani: A Deep Dive into What’s Really Holding You Back

When Itamar Marani first spoke at the NEXUS Chapter Retreat in Phuket, the reaction was electric. Dozens of EO Melbourne members reached out afterwards, all asking the same thing: “How can I work with him again?”

On 12 June, they got their answer.

Flying in from Thailand, EO Bangkok Metropolitan member Itamar returned to lead Elite Performance Intensive, a half-day, no-fluff workshop designed for founders who know they’re capable of more but feel like they’re still driving with the handbrake on.

Stronger Together: How the SLP Forum Is Building Connection and Growth

In a world where deep connection often takes a back seat to busy schedules and competing priorities, the EO Melbourne Spousal/Life Partner (SLP) Forum Training offered something rare: an intentional space to build meaningful relationships, share real stories, and step into a community designed to support and elevate.

Startup to Standout: The Making of Luxury Escapes

What does it take to turn a bold idea—born in a storage room—into a billion-dollar global travel brand? At EO Melbourne’s latest signature event, Scaling to a Billion: The Luxury Escapes Story, the spotlight was on Adam Schwab, the Co-Founder and CEO behind one of Australia’s most remarkable startup journeys.

Accelerating Growth: EO Melbourne Unlocks Leadership Growth with EOS

Every entrepreneur reaches a moment when growth feels out of reach—when strategy stalls, communication falters, or momentum slips. At our recent EO Melbourne workshop “Accelerating Growth: Unlocking Your Leadership Potential with EOS”, members took a bold step to confront these challenges head-on and walked away with the tools to lead with renewed clarity, confidence, and purpose.

Unleashing Brand Potential: A Transformative Marketing Masterclass with Mark Ritson

Entrepreneurs and business leaders came together for an event hosted by EO Melbourne in collaboration with its Strategic Alliance Partner, BlueRock. The session, titled “Unleashing Your Brand’s Potential: Marketing Masterclass,” delivered valuable insights into the strategies that separate thriving brands from those that struggle to make an impact. Attendees left the event equipped with practical tools and fresh perspectives to elevate their branding and marketing efforts.

Inspiring Leadership with Heart: Cindy Sirinya Bishop at the Nexus Chapter Retreat in Phuket

The EO Melbourne Nexus Chapter Retreat concluded last month on the breathtaking island of Phuket, Thailand, leaving attendees inspired, enriched, and deeply connected. The retreat brought together entrepreneurs from diverse industries for an immersive experience designed to foster growth, collaboration, and transformative learning. At the heart of this unforgettable event was Cindy Sirinya Bishop—a celebrated Thai model, actress, activist, and UN Women Goodwill Ambassador to Asia Pacific—whose presence as both a speaker and master of ceremonies elevated the gathering to new heights.

A Day to Remember: EO Melbourne’s Family Day at Luna Park

EO Melbourne’s Family Day at Luna Park was a celebration of connection, joy, and adventure—a day where families came together to create memories that will linger long after the rides came to a stop. Members of EO Melbourne brought their spouses, children, and even friends of their kids for an unforgettable experience in one of Melbourne’s most iconic locations. From the moment the gates opened for exclusive access to the final hours of fun, it was a day brimming with laughter, thrills, and heartwarming moments.

NEXUS Chapter Retreat 2025: A Celebration of Connection, Learning, and Inspiration in Phuket

The NEXUS Chapter Retreat 2025 unfolded last weekend in the breathtaking setting of Phuket, Thailand—a destination that perfectly embodied the spirit of connection, growth, and joy. EO Melbourne members, joined by their spouses or life partners, guests from EO Adelaide, and Strategic Alliance Partners, came together for an unforgettable three-day journey. It was more than just a retreat; it was a vibrant tapestry of shared insights, meaningful conversations, and moments of pure inspiration.

Transformative Leadership Lessons with Cameron Herold

The EO Melbourne community recently came together for an inspiring workshop led by leadership expert Cameron Herold, renowned founder of the COO Alliance and author of The Second in Command . The event, titled “The Second in Command: Unleashing the Power of a COO” and “2 Ladders: How Growing Your People Grows Your Company,” offered attendees practical strategies to strengthen their businesses through better leadership structures. Over the course of the day, Cameron shared insights drawn from his extensive experience coaching CEOs and scaling companies like 1-800-GOT-JUNK?, leaving participants with actionable tools to elevate their teams and operations.

Unleashing Greatness: Warren Rustand Inspires EO Melbourne with Authentic Leadership

Warren Rustand, a globally recognised leadership expert and Amazon bestselling author of The Leader Within Us, captivated attendees at EO Melbourne’s highly anticipated event. The speaking session, titled Authentic Leadership: Unleash the Leader Within, left a profound impact on entrepreneurs who gathered to learn from one of the most influential leadership minds of our time.

Learnings & Reflections: Building Blinkist into a Global Brand

Turning a start-up into a global brand is no small feat, and EO Melbourne members had the privilege of diving into this journey through the lens of Holger Seim, Co-founder and CEO of Blinkist. During our recent event, Holger shared his inspiring story of Blinkist’s growth from its 2012 inception to its acquisition by Go1 in 2023. With his candid reflections, Holger painted a vivid picture of the challenges, triumphs, and lessons gleaned from over a decade of innovation in lifelong learning. As a member of EO Berlin, he deeply understood his audience, making his insights especially resonant.

An Unforgettable Taste of Scotland: EO Melbourne Explores the World of Whisky

In true EO Melbourne fashion, our members recently gathered for an exclusive experience that was equal parts educational and indulgent. “An Exploration into the Wonderful World of Scottish Whisky” brought together enthusiasts and curious novices alike to deepen their appreciation of one of Scotland’s most celebrated exports.

Meet and Greet Speed Networking: A Night of Meaningful Connections

On the evening of 14 November, EO Melbourne hosted its exclusive Meet and Greet Speed Networking event, bringing together a limited number of entrepreneurs for an unforgettable night of connection and collaboration. Held at the stylish Backroom Bar of the Ovolo Hotel, the event offered a vibrant and dynamic setting for members to connect and share ideas.

Trailblazing Talent Takes Centre Stage at GSEA Melbourne

After a decade-long absence, the Global Student Entrepreneur Awards (GSEA) made a triumphant return to Melbourne on Wednesday, 13th November 2024. The event brought together some of the brightest young entrepreneurial minds from tertiary institutions, all competing for the prestigious title and the chance to represent Australia at the APAC finals in Japan next year. The evening, hosted by EO Melbourne Chapter Strategic Alliance Partner BlueRock, offered a unique blend of intense competition and camaraderie within the vibrant, creatively designed spaces of their venue.

Mastering Mindset with NLP: EO Melbourne’s Transformative Workshop

In a powerful session hosted by EO Melbourne, members recently gathered for the "Transform Your Business Mindset with NLP" workshop led by Madeleine Robinson. She is a Managing Partner and Coach Trainer at The Coaching Room, EO Melbourne’s Strategic Alliance Partner. With over three hours of in-depth exploration into the intricacies of mindset and decision-making, attendees left not only inspired but also armed with practical NLP strategies to elevate their approach to business challenges and personal growth.