2023 EO Melbourne EOFY & Board Handover Gala Dinner: A Night of Colour, Latin Vibes, and Entrepreneurial Excellence

The 2023 EO Melbourne EOFY & Board Handover Gala Dinner transformed Aerial, South Wharf into a vibrant and energetic haven filled with a kaleidoscope of colours and an infectious Latin vibe. Entrepreneurs, distinguished guests, and esteemed board members gathered for an unforgettable evening of celebration, recognition, and anticipation for the future.

FY 2023/24 President James Murray (4th from right) and his board.

Kicking off the night with a mesmerising display of tango dancing, the audience was captivated by the graceful movements and passionate performances of the talented dancers. The energy in the room soared as the dancers set the stage for a memorable event.

Damian Blumenkranc, EO Melbourne President for FY 2022/23, delivered a warm welcome, expressing his gratitude for the privilege of leading the chapter during his tenure. His opening remarks set a tone of appreciation and excitement for the accomplishments of the past year, sparking enthusiasm among the attendees.

Damian Blumenkranc, EO Melbourne President for FY 2022/23, thanked everyone that contributed to a fruitful year during his term.

A highlight of the evening was the eagerly anticipated Accelerator Update and Awards, presented by Accelerator Co-Chairs Anthony Lam and Ashley Bent. The room buzzed with anticipation as the names of the Accelerator Graduates were announced. Ryan Spaccavento, Edison Nguyen, Tony Truong, and Lana Zhang were celebrated for their outstanding dedication and commitment to their entrepreneurial journeys.

Acknowledgment and gratitude were extended to the dedicated members of the Accelerator Committee, including Anthony Lam, Ashley Bent, Ryan Spaccavento, Lana Zhang, Corinne Maunder, and Adam Wolfe, for their instrumental role in supporting the growth and development of the Accelerator Program. The event also recognised the invaluable contribution of the Accelerator coaches, Jeni Clift, Nick Clift, Adam Wolfe, Dan Swart, and Cesar Aldea, who provided guidance and mentorship to the participants.

The evening reached its pinnacle with the highly anticipated presentation of the Accelerator of the Year Award. The room erupted with applause as Ryan Spaccavento was announced as the deserving winner. His remarkable dedication and entrepreneurial spirit were acknowledged and celebrated by all in attendance.

Ryan Spaccavento (centre) was awarded the Accelerator of the Year by Accelerator Chairs Ashley Bent (left) and Anthony Lam (right).

Taking a moment to reflect on his impactful year as President, Damian shared three key themes that defined his tenure: unleashing the power of EO, fostering deep connections, and enabling impactful experiences. His words resonated with the audience, underscoring the significance of unity, collaboration, and growth within the entrepreneurial community.

Attendees were treated to a captivating video showcasing the memorable events of the year, seamlessly transitioning into footage of the Chapter Retreat. The immersive experience allowed participants to relive the remarkable journey of EO Melbourne throughout the year.

One of the most prestigious moments of the evening arrived with the presentation of the President's Award, an accolade that embodies the core values of EO. Damian emphasised the importance of these values and bestowed the esteemed President's Award upon Costa Vasili. Costa's unwavering commitment to the entrepreneurial community and his outstanding contributions to EO Melbourne were recognised and celebrated.

Costa Vasili (centre), this year's honouree, received the prestigious President's Award. He is flanked by outgoing President Damian Blumenkranc (left) and incoming President James Murray (right).

Rael Ross was honoured as the Entrepreneur of the Year Award.

The anticipation heightened as the Entrepreneur of the Year Award, dedicated to the memory of Danny Guest, took centre stage. Before revealing the winner, Damian highlighted the exceptional achievements and success of the recipient. The room held its breath as Rael Ross stepped onto the stage, applauded for his remarkable accomplishments, including a 100% growth rate, managing a listed company, and generating an impressive $1.3 billion in sales. Rael's resilience and achievements in a challenging macro market earned him the title of Entrepreneur of the Year, a distinction truly deserved.

Recognising the vital role of forums in fostering growth and collaboration, Damian presented the Forum Cup Awards for the Most Engaged Forums. UNA secured third place, followed by Feverish in second place. The ultimate honour went to Infinity, the winner of the first-place award, eliciting applause and admiration from the audience.

Expressions of gratitude were extended to the Tenured Members and Strategic Alliance Partners who have supported EO Melbourne throughout the year. BlueRock, Creative Cubes, Growth CFO, Mercedes-Benz Berwick, AirWallex, EOS Worldwide, and the new Strategic Alliance Partner, The Coaching Room, were all acknowledged for their invaluable contributions.

A heartwarming thank you to the FY 2022/23 Board.

In a symbolic moment, Damian invited the outgoing Board members to join him on stage, where he expressed his appreciation for their dedicated service. Socrates Capouleas, Richard Fuessel, Meirav Amber, and Ashley Bent were commended for their valuable contributions to EO Melbourne.

As Damian closed his year, he invited the incoming President, James Murray, to step forward and handed over the gavel, symbolising the transfer of leadership. James delivered his President's Update, sharing his vision and the theme for FY 2023/24.

EO Melbourne President for FY 2023/24 James Murray delivered a moving speech.

With excitement in the air, James called upon the incoming board to join him on stage, expressing his gratitude to all attendees and introducing a spectacular show featuring samba dancers and a captivating Latin performance.

The 2023 EO Melbourne EOFY & Board Handover Gala Dinner was an evening filled with celebration, inspiration, and the recognition of exceptional entrepreneurs. As the entrepreneurial community looked towards the future, the event served as a reminder of the collective achievements and the limitless potential that lies ahead.

EO Melbourne celebrates EOFY and Board Handover with a Gala Dinner

The 2022/23 Board.

EO Melbourne Members and their partners and guests gathered for an exciting and fun Saturday night to celebrate the End-of-Financial-Year (EOFY) and mark this new chapter with the Board Handover during the annual Gala Dinner. 

2021/22 President Socrates Capouleas (right) hands over the leadership to 2022/23 President Damian Blumenkranc (left).

The chapter thanked 2021/22 President Socrates Capouleas and the Board and then welcomed 2022/23 President Damian Blumenkranc and his Board:

President: Damian Blumekranc

Accelerator Chair: Anthony Lam

Accelerator Chair: Ashley Bent

Communications Chair: Costa Vasili

Finance Chair: James Murray

Forum Chair: Rob Roy Rankin

Forum Chair: Richard Fuessel

Learning Chair: Kate Save

Learning Co-Chair: Matthew Beesley

Member Engagement Chair: John Bevitt

Member Engagement Chair: John Liston

Membership Chair: James Murray

Membership Co-Chair: Meirav Ambar

Mentorship and Key Executive Chair: Jenifer Clift

Strategic Alliance Partnership Chair: Socrates Capouleas

Ken Matthews (2nd from right) was recognised with the President’s Award during the night.

Winners of various awards were also honoured during the evening. Hailed as the Accelerator of the Year was Mena Mikhail, Founder of Heven. The President’s Award was awarded to Ken Matthews, Managing Partner at Matthews Steer Accountants and Advisors and Board Member at Family Business Australia. The chapter named Miguel Donnenfeld, Co-Founder of Creativa Videos, as the Danny Guest Awardee for Bravery in Business.

UNA took the 1st place at the Forum Cup.

During the night, the winners of the Forum Cup were also announced. Bagging 1st place was the UNA forum, followed by MOSO in 2nd place, and Feverish in 3rd place. Each team received special prizes for accumulating the highest forum points throughout the year.

The chapter also recognised Accelerator grads Kate Blundy and Alex Schnyder who have now joined as EO Members.

On a different note, the Global Communications Committee has rewarded the EO Melbourne chapter with US$1,000 as one of the top five chapters in the region with the highest percentage of member profiles with the EO branding on LinkedIn.

Congratulations to all the winners! With this year’s theme focused on unleashing the Power of EO Melbourne, we look forward to a fun and more exciting FY 2022/23 for the chapter!