Following a year-long hiatus, the C&I Expo will make its comeback on 17–18 March 2026, bigger and better than ever before.
For anyone in the petrol and convenience industry, the C&I Expo is the place to be to grow your business and make lasting connections. It’s where retailers, suppliers and decision-makers gather under one roof to share ideas, explore innovations and strengthen partnerships that keep the channel moving forward.
Returning in 2026 across two huge days, 17–18 March, at ICC Sydney, the C&I Expo has co-located with AACS Connect and promises to be one of the biggest industry events of the year.
The C&I Expo has built its reputation as Australia’s leading platform for convenience and impulse retailing. It draws exhibitors from across the country and overseas, showcasing everything from beverages and snacks to forecourt technology, foodservice equipment and merchandising solutions. For retailers, it’s a rare chance to discover new products and services while connecting face-to-face with the people who drive the sector.
Theo Foukkare, CEO of the Australian Association of Convenience Stores (AACS), said retailers should attend the C&I Expo as it is the largest trade show for the convenience industry, showcasing supplier innovation, technology innovation, and is a great place to network with new and existing partners.
“With AACS co-locating with the C&I Expo from 2026, the intent was always clear – bring together Australia’s two largest, and most successful, events for the industry where attendees can discover new innovation, networking, be present for the release of the 2025 AACS State of Industry Report, and hear about the latest trends domestically and globally at the Connect Summit.
The three-day program will be the must-attend event of the year for anyone involved or interested in convenience retail in Australia.”
Louis Cannatelli, Sales Manager at GC Brands, said the show has always stood out as an event that delivers quality over quantity.
“For GC Brands this is a true ‘industry event’ and one we support annually, you may not see hundreds of people a day, but you see the decision makers, that’s what counts. Like most businesses, the deals are generally already done, but you get to connect with your network in one place, at one time and there is always space and time to have a quality chat.”
That spirit of connection is what many exhibitors value most. The event brings together a wide cross-section of the channel, from major retail groups and franchisees to independent store owners and category managers. Cannatelli added that the range of people walking the floor always keeps things interesting.
“Besides our everyday contacts, you will usually see others trailing along which is always fun and interesting, whether it’s the marketing team of a major petrol group, or the direct managers and owners of key groups and partners.”
George Tsapoutas, CEO of The Distributors, said the event is a rare opportunity to connect with customers at both a national and local level.
“The C&I trade show provides The Distributors a great opportunity to network and talk one-on-one with existing as well as new customers and suppliers. The Distributors focus on service and providing a national footprint with local service and what the C&I tradeshow offers is the chance for the National Support Office to meet face to face with many of those local customers.”
This forward-looking focus extends beyond the stands. Each day, the free educational program at the Power Stage sets the tone with insights into key topics across the P&C channel, delivered by experts in their field. For retailers, these sessions provide actionable ideas that can be taken straight back to store. Combined with the chance to walk the floor, meet suppliers and trial products, it’s a mix designed to spark both inspiration and practical outcomes.
“The fact that next year AACS and C&I will combine events surely makes this the biggest occasion on the P&C calendar in many, many years, and we will be there,” Cannatelli said.
Register now for the C&I Expo.
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