UCB store operators, suppliers and supporters descended on the Gold Coast last week for the UCB 2026 Conference under the theme “ELEVATE”, where they came together to learn, to work, to connect and to have a little fun.
DAY 1
The UCB Stores (United Convenience Buyers) Conference and Trade Show for 2026, kicked off with registration.
Delegates checked in and registered, then took the time to have a casual catchup with colleagues suppliers and friends at the impressive pop up Bega Group C-store in the lobby of the always wonderful RACV Royal Pines Gold Coast.
After a relaxed check in with colleagues and suppliers at the impressive pop up C-Store in the lobby after registration the delegates hit the ground running with the learning and working kicked off on Day 1 with the Asahi Beverages Business Sessions.
The Business Sessions commenced on the Gold Coast this evening. MC Bennie Bishop got the room buzzing and ready to ELEVATE their business, their team and their success before a lineup of experts and legends shared their insights.
Darren Park, CEO, UCB Stores (United Convenience Buyers) Australia, kicked off the session by acknowledging the challenging environment that is fuel retail in todays economic climate, while reminding delegates that challenges are nothing new for us. Darren called out that the challenges are a clear reminder that the gap between “ok” and “excellent” is growing. That as the gap increases and pressures grow to succeed we must ELEVATE our teams, ELEVATE our service and ELEVATE our offer. Darren encouraged delegates to “lean in” to the event and explore how partners and expert invoices can help them ELEVATE their businesses.
Daniel Tripolitano, Group Head of Insights Asahi Beverages, then provided delegates with insights on the critical beverage category and the opportunities for elevation that are offered by the changing dynamic for customers towards novelty, time of day, “treats” and functionality.
Elisha Radwanowski, Executive Manager Employment & Compliance for Australasian Convenience and Petroleum Marketers Association (ACAPMA) was back again this year to provided delegates with an overview of the changing regulatory landscape and the impacts on fuel retail and again reinforce the need to turn to trusted sources for compliance information…the bots simply do not understand the weirdness that is fuel!
Theo Foukkare, CEO, AACS (Australian Association of Convenience Stores), gave delegates a whistle stop tour of the AACS State of Industry Report that UCB Member get a copy of which highlights again the importance of beverages, specifically energy and coffee.
Craig Woolford, Senior Analyst Consumer Sector at MST Marquee, took delegates behind the curtain to explore the key elements investors are seeing and looking for in the retail market and provided insights into consumer behaviours and motivators in the fuel retail contexts.
The Tuesday Business Session wrapped up with John Coutis who inspired and challenged delegates to harness pressure and use it to ELEVATE. John reminded delegates that leadership means “being the example not the instruction manual” and that our own value is not diminished at all by how many times life has stomped on us!
Delegates left the Business Sessions informed, inspired and energised as they headed into the first full session of the Trade Show for a working dinner before letting their hair down (with a special guest) at the Lactalis Afterparty.
Check out the highlights of Day 1…
DAY 2
Day 2 of the kicked off with a bang when Australian cricket legend Steve Waugh Foundation joined delegates for the Dare Charged Breakfast in the Bega Group Cafe for a rare peek behind the curtain of his iconic career in a live interview with the indomitable Bennie Bishop.
Good food, great chat and the much needed caffeine of a heap of Dare Charged delegates left read to Fire On All Cylinders for the networking events.
In the tradition of the event Day 2 saw delegates treated to a day of social networking at one of the intense Networking Activity Sessions;
• The Asahi Beverages Golf Classic
• The Monster Energy Go Kart Championship
• Lactalis Group Connect & Dine Yacht
• Gatorade Inc Top Golf
• PFD Food Services Pty Ltd Cocktail Experience
• Nestlé Day Spa
Sometimes to ELEVATE we need to take a break for some fun in the sun.
Day 2 wrapped up with a Fire and Ice dinner presented by Coca-Cola Europacific Partners where the networking turned to fun under the stars followed by the Mother Afterparty and Rokeoke!
Check out the highlights from Day 2…
DAY 3
Ashley Fell, Social Researcher Futurist and ExcelNerd from McCrindle provided delegates with humorous and informative insight into the power and impact of generational shift when it comes to consumer need and drive. The core social and personal values of the emerging consumers are going to increasingly impact purchasing decisions.
Mark McKenzie (BEng,MBA,GAICD), CEO of Freedom Fuels provided delegates with the insights that come from the unique career path that included representing motoring associations, then standing as the voice of the fuel industry for a decade before stepping into the role of CEO of a fuel importer, wholesaler and retailer. His message; fuel is a messy, complicated and poorly understood, but we are not best served as an industry by ‘dumbing it down’ for government and regulators. If we present it as “simple” the governments will think it is easy to comply with broad legislative changes. The reality is complexity is cost…and fuel is complex.
Anthony Laye, mentalist and leadership expert called on delegates to focus on themselves first in order to ELEVATE and drive success in business and teams. Anthony challenged delegates to “do the basics brilliantly” to constantly ask yourself “How should i be turning up? What energy am I bringing to the table?”. Taking some responsibility for our own energy, and responding to the energy of others, reading the room, is a skill…and one that needs to be worked on.
Mark Bouris AM, economist and financial expert rounded out the session by provided delegates with a practical exploration of the current economic climate and broader geopolitical landscape, how we got here and the impact of rising interest rates, fuel prices and inflation will have on the future of retail.
The key message is it’s going to get tough…we are not through the worst of it yet and won’t be for a while. Businesses need to spend wisely, get lean and hungry, work harder than your competitors, be a safe smiling place for customers at a time when they are already under pressure. We are going into a period of survival…but with hard work and good business partners we will be able to get through it. Businesses are facing pain…either the pain of discipline or the pain of regret!
Delegates left the Business Sessions presented by Asahi Beverages and Mondelēz International energised, inspired and ready to lift their game, to ELEVATE, with the experts and trade partners in the Expo.
Suppliers and new products were recognised with the Annual Awards.
2026 Conference Supplier of the Year:
• Carbonated Beverages and Sports Drinks – Coca-Cola Europacific Partners
• Energy Drinks – Suntory Oceania
• Functional Drinks and Water Asahi Beverages
• Confectionery – Mondelēz International
• Snacking – PepsiCo
• Food Manufacturer – Inghams Group Limited
• Flavoured Milk – Bega Group
• General Merchandise – Pacific Optics
• Communications – SimConnect National
• Wholesaler/distributor – The Distributors
• New Product of the Year – Bega Group
Trade Stand of the Year – Coca-Cola Europacific Partners
Trade Rep of the Year – Alistair Pavey, Coca-Cola Europacific Partners
Trade Partner of the Year – Coca-Cola Europacific Partners
The party kept on at the V After Party with another round of Rokeoke.
Check out the highlights from Day 3….
Operators, suppliers and supporters left the event energised and inspired to implement learnings in their own business, congratulations UCB on another slick event…congratulations to the whole team.
The UCB Event is proudly supported by the following sponsors and exhibitors;
Elisha Radwanowski BCom(HRM&IR)
ACAPMA
