Masquerade masks, opera singers, spooky candelabras and thousands of atmospheric lights set the scene for the annual celebration. Julian Fayad, founder of Sydney-based asset finance and fintech firm LoanOptions.ai, was among the roughly 500 attendees feeling the moody vibes. "I have been to a lot of the prior celebrations in the Gold Coast, and I wasn't sure what this year would be like, because they were always really cool and really fancy.