THE DISTRIBUTORS CELEBRATES 45 YEARS AT ITS MID-YEAR CONFERENCE

The Distributors held its 2026 Mid-Year Conference on the Gold Coast last week, with the occasion made even more momentous as it marked 45 years in business.

Over three days, members, customers and suppliers of The Distributors were hosted at the JW Marriott on the beautiful, albeit wet, Gold Coast.

Following a members only session, there were presentations from George Tsapoutas, CEO of The Distributors, Mark Breust, Head of Commercial at The Distributors, and Rowan Lee CEO of ACAPMA.

Tsapoutas and Breust provided updates on the business’s current financials, as well as outlining its plans moving forward and how it is responding to member and supplier feedback.

Tsapoutas explained that there will always be economic headwinds in business and that if it’s not COVID, it’s supply chain issues or container delivery shortages, but there will always be some type of economic challenge, and that businesses should focus on what they can control.

“We can continue to focus on what we can do.

And that is to continue to focus on the execution of our products.

The execution of supplying members, and the members can then supply the customers. If we keep doing that, then we’ll continue to grow.”

Suppliers and members then broke off into their respective supplier presentations and speed-dating style pitch deck sessions, which enabled them to sit down and do some deal-making.

That evening, there was a welcome dinner at which The Distributors celebrated its 45-year milestone with food, drinks and fireworks.

Following a short speech from Tsapoutas, in which he thanked everyone involved over the past 45 years, attendees were able to enjoy the tropical-themed evening.

Day two

The second day was another busy one for suppliers and members, with plenty of pitch deck sessions and supplier presentations ensuring everyone had the opportunity to secure the best deals possible.

Presenting that morning was Theo Foukkare, CEO of the Australian Association of Convenience Stores (AACS), who provided a snapshot of the current state of the industry.

That afternoon, attendees were treated to a rousing presentation from Matt Hall, Red Bull Air Race world champion and former Royal Australian Air Force Top Gun fighter pilot.

Hall discussed his incredibly interesting career and left guests with some motivational takeaways.

That evening, guests were whisked away to Miami Marketta to eat, drink, mingle and watch the NSW Blues triumph over a hapless Queensland side in a thrilling contest.

Day three

The morning session opened with a presentation from Dominique Lamb, who is currently serving as Director of Community Affairs for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Lamb previously served as Queensland Small Business Commissioner and as CEO of the National Retail Association (NRA).

Lamb discussed her career to date and how she became what she described as “the accidental CEO”, before speaking about her role as part of the Brisbane Olympics team and the massive effort behind staging such a spectacle.

She also outlined ways in which people and businesses can get involved.

Following that, suppliers and members once again broke off for supplier presentations and the always-productive pitch deck sessions.

That evening, guests dolled up for the group’s black-tie 2026 Mid-Year Gala Dinner Awards in the ballroom of the JW Marriott.

Alongside the awards, there was a presentation from Carolyn Creswell, Founder and Managing Director of Carman’s Kitchen, in which she offered three sound pieces of advice to take into both business and family life.

The three days were capped off with a Red Bull after-party, where guests were treated to a variety of Red Bull cocktails and other drinks and snacks while testing themselves on the arcade games set up throughout the venue.

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