Down Under Study Tour 2027
Down Under Study Tour 2027
Three days on the road through regional Victoria, visiting some of Australia’s most exciting convenience stores, service stations and small format retail sites, and hearing directly from the people who run them.
See regional retail up close
Based in Melbourne, the 2027 Down Under Study Tour heads out to Geelong and Ballarat, with store stops along the way. You’ll gain fresh insights into local market trends, operational best practices and retail innovation, while connecting with senior executives and peers from across retail, supply and wholesale.
This year the tour starts earlier, opening on the Tuesday with an event briefing followed by store tours and a meet & greet welcome function that evening.
- Dates
- Tuesday 26 – Thursday 28 October 2027
- Base
- Melbourne
- Visiting
- Geelong and Ballarat, with stops along the way
- Includes
- Event briefing, coach travel, store tours, meet & greet and tour dinner
- Who can attend
- AACS members – retailers, suppliers and distributors
Three days on the road
Tuesday 26 October
- Event briefingWelcome and tour overview
- Store toursFirst visits of the tour
- Meet & greetWelcome function in the evening
Wednesday 27 October
- Store toursA full day visiting a mix of store formats
- Hear from the retailersQ&A with store owners and operators
- Tour dinnerDinner together in the evening
Thursday 28 October
- Store toursFinal day on the road
- Tour wrap-upKey takeaways before heading home
What you’ll take home
Stores in action
See how leading operators run their sites, from layout and range to food service.
Market trends
Fresh insights into what regional customers want and how stores are responding.
Best practice
Practical ideas on operations and efficiency you can take back to your business.
Industry connections
Three days with senior executives and peers from across the convenience industry.
Questions
Who can attend?
The Down Under Study Tour is for AACS members – retailers, suppliers and distributors.
What’s included?
The event briefing, coach travel between stores, store tours, the meet & greet welcome function on the Tuesday and a tour dinner on the Wednesday. Accommodation details will be shared closer to the date.
How do I register?
Register your interest now and we’ll let you know as soon as full registration opens in 2027.
Who do I contact?
Theo Foukkare, CEO – theo@aacs.org.au or 0423 003 133.
Zan Lewarn, Member Engagement Manager – zan.lewarn@aacs.org.au or 0412 935 731.
2026 in South East Queensland
The 2026 tour took delegates from Brisbane’s inner north to the southern Gold Coast.
Secure your spot for 2027
Register your interest now. Full registration opens in 2027. AACS members only.
Talk to the AACS team
Header photo: Carl Beech on Unsplash.