#67: Building an Advocacy Powerhouse: Wes Lambert’s Recipe for Association Advocacy

25.03.25 10:14 AM - By Olena Lima and Angela Shelton

In this episode, Olena Lima chats with Wes Lambert to uncover his bold strategies, sharp focus, and unwavering determination in association advocacy. Wes has been making waves in Australia’s restaurant and café sector, achieving policy wins in just 10 months that others have chased for decades.

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If you've worked in the association industry for a while, the chances that you haven’t heard of Wes Lambert are pretty slim. But if you do need an introduction, let’s just say he’s been cooking up some serious change in Australia’s restaurant and café sector.

In just 10 months, Wes and his team at the Australian Restaurant and Café Association (ARCA) have managed to shake up the industry, securing policy wins that others have spent decades trying to achieve. So, what’s his secret ingredient?

In this episode, Olena Lima sits down with Wes to reveal his recipe for success in association advocacy—one that’s packed with focus, bold strategies, and ​and relentless determination.


Tune in now to listen:


🔹 How Wes went from investment banking, to restaurant management and to leading one of the country’s newest (and fastest-growing) associations

🔹 The key ingredients to getting members engaged and growing an association from scratch

🔹 How ARCA is driving real policy change, from migration reform to taxation policies

🔹 Why laser-focused advocacy can deliver wins for an industry that employs half a million Australians.


And if you’ve ever wondered how one person can juggle high-stakes advocacy, multiple board roles, four kids, and still get eight hours of sleep every night—Wes has the answer.


🎧 Tune in now to hear how ARCA is delivering real results for hospitality businesses across Australia.

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