The UCB Stores (United Convenience Buyers) Australia Stores Australia Conference 2026 didn’t just kick off on the Gold Coast—it launched.
The room was humming from the first moment, with Bennie Bishop turning the dial all the way up and setting the vibe for what’s already shaping up to be an unmissable event.
Darren Park got real about the pressure facing fuel retail right now—but flipped it into a challenge the room was ready to take on.
The message?
The gap between “ok” and “excellent” is widening… and this is the moment to step up, lean in, and hashtag#ELEVATE everything—teams, service, offer.
Then the insights started flying.
Daniel Tripolitano brought fresh thinking on beverages (and plenty of “why didn’t we think of that?” moments), while Elisha Radwanowski cut through the compliance noise with practical, no-nonsense advice.
Theo Foukkare reinforced just how big the opportunity still is in energy and coffee, and Craig Woolford gave a fascinating look at what’s really driving customers—and investors—right now.
And just when the room thought it was full, John Coutis lifted the roof—raw, real, and seriously motivating.
Not everything that levels you up happens in a conference room.
Day Two wrap at UCB Stores (United Convenience Buyers) Australia 2026 proved that.
No slides, no note-taking—just people actually connecting.
And honestly, that’s where the real magic happens.
Steve Waugh.
Sharp.
Focused.
Direct.
And we loved his final and favourite life quote “don’t get bitter, get better”!
The Bega Group “Stand Up Breakfast” delivered again!
And then, it’s that little bit of fun time.
Whether it was tearing it up at the Monster Energy Go Kart Championship, playing 18 holes of golf (and walking another 9 looking for your ball) with Asahi Beverages, lining up a shot at hashtag#Gatorade Top Golf, joining Lactalis Group cruising on the hashtag#ICEBREAK yacht, making amazing cocktails with PFD Food Services Pty Ltd or switching off completely at the day spa, a Nestlé supported favourite… everyone found their lane.
Some went full throttle, some slowed it right down.
Both count.
And the stories of the day got bigger and better as they were retold at Coca-Cola Europacific Partners “Fire & Ice” Dinner and Monster Energy hashtag#rockaoke after party.
hashtag#Elevating isn’t just grind.
If you’re always “on,” you miss the moments that actually build relationships, spark ideas, and remind you why you’re doing any of this in the first place.
The best conversations don’t always happen under fluorescent lights with a lanyard around your neck.
They happen mid-laugh, mid-competition, mid-sunset.
That’s where barriers drop and people get real.
No one remembers the busiest person in the room.
They remember the one who actually connected.
The Thursday Business Sessions at UCB Stores (United Convenience Buyers) Australia Conference 2026 delivered a clear call to action, it’s time to hashtag#ELEVATE with intention, discipline, and a sharper focus on what truly drives success.
Darren Park opened with a practical challenge, meet customers where they are.
Take a moment to reflect—are your processes helping or hindering the experience?
When internal policies override customer needs, value is lost.
The opportunity is to simplify, remove friction, and serve in a way that actually resonates.
Ashley Fell from McCrindle encouraged delegates to think forward.
Generational shifts aren’t on the horizon—they’re already here.
Emerging consumers are guided by values, and those values are shaping purchasing behaviour.
The question for every business, are you aligned with what matters to your next customer?
Mark McKenzie (BEng,MBA,GAICD), CEO of Freedom Fuels, pushed for deeper thinking.
Complexity exists for a reason.
Rather than oversimplifying, the challenge is to understand it, communicate it clearly, and respect its impact.
Where in your business are you glossing over complexity instead of managing it well?
Anthony Laye brought it back to personal leadership.
Elevation starts with you.
How are you showing up each day?
What energy are you bringing into conversations, teams, and decisions?
Doing the basics brilliantly—consistently—is what builds trust, momentum, and results over time.
Mark Bouris AM closed with a grounded perspective.
The environment is tightening, and pressure is building.
This is where discipline matters most.
Take stock—are you spending wisely, staying focused, and making decisions with clarity?
And take care of yourself, mentally and physically.
The path forward isn’t about waiting for conditions to improve—it’s about responding with intent.
Stay sharp.
Be deliberate in how you operate and how you serve.
Customers are feeling the pressure too, so being a steady, positive presence isn’t optional—it’s a competitive advantage.
The choice is simple, even if it’s not easy, the pain of discipline, or the pain of regret.
UCB Members & Trade Partners left the final business session with more than insight—they left with a positive challenge.
Lift your standards, refine your approach, and step into what’s next with purpose.
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