About GCDS
Growing businesses for more than 30 years.
Growth Concept Development Services (GCDS) was founded by Luke Griffin, who's spent over 25 years connecting people, projects, and purpose across the events, exhibitions, and partnerships landscape.
Our Story
A firm built on relationships.
- 25+
- years of industry leadership
- 50+
- projects delivered
- 30+
- active partners
- 16,500+
- network reach
GCDS is a specialist growth, leadership and transformation consultancy. We believe that relationships drive results — and by combining local understanding with international experience, we deliver practical, people-focused outcomes that stand the test of time.
Our mission: to help businesses and communities grow — smarter, stronger, and more connected.
We don't just advise — we collaborate, connect, and deliver, staying hands-on from concept to completion.
Principles
The principles that guide every relationship we build.
Keeping It Real
Authenticity is at the core of everything we do. No ego — just real people solving real problems.
No Borders
We work across industries, ideas and geographies. Innovation doesn't care about boundaries — neither do we.
Getting It Right From The Start
Solid foundations lead to scalable success. We don't just launch — we land well.
Excellence Without Compromise
We bring full attention, full effort, every time. Half-done isn't in our DNA.
About Luke
A local dad with a global lens.
Luke is a local dad with two kids under 10, based in the Hornsby area for the past eight years. He grew up in Castlecrag, surrounded by nature and a strong sense of community, and spent much of his early career life between the pubs of Balmain and the close-knit neighbourhoods around Wollstonecraft — places that shaped his appreciation for connection, collaboration, and genuine relationships.
A graduate of St Aloysius' College and the Blue Mountains International Hotel Management School, Luke's early training built a foundation of professionalism, hospitality, and people-focused leadership that still guides his work today.
When he's not developing partnerships or delivering events, you'll find him running, playing golf, or testing his strategy at the poker table. A long-time advocate for health and wellbeing, Luke has recently focused on fitness and community participation — completing several fun runs, including a half marathon.
Experience & Legacy
Three decades of connection, capability and category-defining events.
Career highlights: working at the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games; opening the Sydney International Tennis Centre, which his family ran for seven years; and over 15 years in trade shows and exhibitions, developing networks, events and growth strategies across Australia and internationally.
Industry experience spans Food, Manufacturing, Mining, Rail Development, Space Industry, Wealth Development, Insurance, Agriculture, Sustainability, Venue Management and Security.
These experiences — combined with his local roots, hospitality background, and hands-on leadership — have shaped the foundation of GCDS: a business built on connection, trust, and the belief that relationships are the key to success.
Relationships are the key to success — everything else follows.
Let's Connect
Ready to design your next chapter of growth?
Book a confidential strategy session with the GCDS partners. We'll spend 45 minutes exploring your priorities and where an outside perspective can move you forward.