LET THE SYDNEY MARDI GRAS CELEBRATIONS BEGIN!

Business Sydney, in conjunction with Airbnb, brought together more than 120 business, community and political leaders for a vibrant Mardi Gras networking evening, at the iconic Beresford Hotel, and it was a huge success.

The conversation, energy and pride in the room were unmistakable, reflecting the spirit that makes the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras one of the most powerful celebrations in our city’s calendar.

A special highlight of the evening was Carmen Geddit, a proven performer with a track record across Sydney’s biggest stages and national media, who treated guests to a few songs and expertly facilitated the Q&A panel bringing warmth, humour and polish to the night.

The panel itself brought real substance behind the sparkle, with thoughtful insights into tourism, the importance of Airbnb, the visitor economy and the significance of inclusive events to Sydney’s global reputation. The panellists were:

Susan Wheeldon, Country Manager, Airbnb
Mick Gibb, CEO, Night Time Industries Association
Paul Nicolaou, Executive Director, Business Sydney
Felicity Stevens, Airbnb Host Club Leader

Platforms like Airbnb play an important role in supporting Sydney during major global events by providing flexible, short-term accommodation across the metropolitan area that traditional hotel capacity alone cannot meet. This enables more visitors to experience the city at its most vibrant while spreading economic benefits into local neighbourhoods, supporting small businesses, hospitality venues and the broader visitor economy, and reinforcing Sydney’s reputation as a welcoming and globally competitive destination.

Great conversations, meaningful connections and a strong sense of shared purpose made the evening one to remember.