For the 18th year in a row APCO Service Stations bought office, store and support staff together with suppliers and partners to learn and celebrate at the APCO Conference, Trade Show and Gala Dinner.
The Conference focused on exploring the performance, compliance and innovation learnings for APCO staff at all levels as the past year was reviewed and the plans for the coming year were put into action. The Conference also included a special guest appearance from Tim Bone to meet all of the Retailers, this as part of the new partnership between APCO and Tim Bone to deliver irresistible recipes to the local APCO cafe24-7 network.
“It’s going to be a really great collaboration and I cannot wait!” said Bone, who also confessed, “I’ve got a soft spot for APCO, when I was at uni, my part time job was working at APCO Main Rd Ballarat, so I’ve always had that affinity with APCO. And still to this day whenever I fill up its gotta be at APCO. I just know that APCO is a lovely family run business, and I just thought it would be a really nice fit.” said Bone.

Bringing together the APCO store and office staff, with the suppliers is a perfect opportunity for a show and tell with the suppliers.
The APCO Conference Trade Show was a lively affair with coffee, snacks, orders, catch ups and a lot of fun.
This years Trade Show exhibitors included;
- Asahi Beverages
- Bega Group
- Gigante Techniflavour who ran the Barista Champ judging!
- Mobil Australia
- Mondelēz International
- Philip Morris International
- Suntory Oceania
- Viva Energy Australia
- Accredited Distributors Pty. Ltd.
- Campbells Wholesale
- Metcash
- Coca-Cola Europacific Partners
- Lactalis Australia
- MOKA FOODS
- Pacific Optics
- Patties Food Group
- PepsiCo
- Red Bull
- UNOX Australia
- Australian international traders
- Imperial Brands PLC
- Inghams Group Limited
- JL King & Co
- KeppelBrand
- M&J Chickens
- Marathon Food Industries Pty Ltd
- Mars
- Meris Food Equipment
- Nestlé
- PFD Food Services Pty Ltd
- POSH FOODS LIMITED
- Repco
- Reward Hospitality AU
- RoyalPrecisionLubricants
- Snackbrands Australia
- Peters Ice Cream
- Unilever
- Stuart Alexander & Co.
- Bundaberg Brewed Drinks
- Supagas
- PACIFIC WEST SEAFOOD COMPANY, INC.
- Oakdale Meat
- Priestley’s Gourmet Delights
And APCO Joe on the Red Bull simulator which was very popular on the day and certainly a point of competition between Retailers and Suppliers!
All the work done it was time to lean into the celebration with the Gala Dinner.
The Gala Dinner is a important night for the Store and Office staff. An opportunity to glam up and spend some quality time with colleagues outside of work, but it is also importantly a time to recognise the APCO ‘stars’ that are the epitome of excellence with the Support Office and Store Awards;
- APCO Support Office Team Player, Sponsored by Philip Morris International – Barry Roberts
- APCO Retail Network Team Player, Sponsored by Asahi Beverages – Joel Booby
- APCO Rising Stars – Olivia Bates and Ivor Riesewyk from APCO Alfredton
- Barista of the Year – Josh from APCO Kangaroo Flat
- Food Service Excellence – Paul Armstrong from APCO Wodonga
- IGA Metcash Operational Excellence – Paul Armstrong from APCO Wodonga
The award everyone was holding their breath for was the APCO RETAILER OF THE YEAR, which went to Damian and Mary Anne Carew from APCO Strathdale. The Runner Up Retailer of the Year, Sponsored by Mobil Australia went to Paul Armstrong from APCO Wodonga.
Congratulations all, without the people the business is just a building, and without staff that go the extra mile customers will just go somewhere else. A very special mention to Jill Wood, congratulations on your 20 Years of Service!
The Gala Dinner was also a time to recognise the support and performance of the Trade Partners with the Trade Partner Awards;
- Beverage Trade Partner of the Year – Red Bull
- Confectionary Trade Partner of the Year – Mondelēz International
- Distributor of the Year –Accredited Distributors Pty. Ltd.
- Food Service Trade Partner of the Year – Gigante Techniflavour
- General Merchandise Trade Partner of the Year – Pacific Optics
- Snacking Impulse Trade Partner of the Year – Snackbrands Australia
- Tobacco Trade Partner of the Year –Philip Morris International
and the big one, Trade Partner of the Year, was awarded to Red Bull
Congratulations APCO on another wonderful event, and more importantly, on another year serving and servicing your local communities.
Elisha Radwanowski BCom(HRM&IR)
ACAPMA





























































