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Operator Excellence Forum 2026

 
Date & time

Thursday 23 July 2026, 12pm to 5pm (followed by refreshments from 5:15pm to 6:15pm)

Venue

Queens Ballroom, Level 5, InterContinental Brisbane (formerly the Hilton)

What to expect

This year’s forum is focused on safety, compliance, growth and innovation. Those who attend will benefit from engagement and presentations aimed at:

  • strengthening operator capability, safety and compliance
  • highlighting growth opportunities
  • innovation, operational excellence and leadership
  • creating meaningful engagement between operators and the COEX team.

In addition, there will be a ‘Hero session’ led by a Recycling Panel member about the material they’re re-using after it’s collected through the scheme, and an opportunity to ask questions of COEX’s Executive Leadership Team (ELT).

Content

The forum will centre on improving operational performance and showcasing growth opportunities, i.e.:

  • what’s new in safety and compliance
  • opportunities to expand collection services via the enhanced Container Collect 2.0 platform
  • growing CRP footprints with reverse vending machines
  • capturing out‑of‑home market opportunities identified by research
  • new marketing opportunities and customer excellence.

Attendance, travel and accommodation

Guests

We encourage interested operators to attend the forum and awards events. Operators can be accompanied by the following number of guests to ensure proportional representation and manageable event numbers:

  • Small operators: 1 operator + 1 team member
  • Medium operators: 1 operator + up to 2 team members
  • Large operators: 1 operator + up to 3 team members

The definitions for small, medium and large operators are aligned with the award categories as follows:

Award category Volume in 2024–25 financial year Estimated staff
Small Operator of the Year Up to 5 million containers Approx 1–4 full time staff
Medium Operator of the Year More than 5 million but less than 30 million containers Approx 5–20 full time staff
Large Operator of the Year More than 30 million containers Approx 20–80+ full time staff

Please note: this table does not include the Change Maker of the Year category, which is not dependent on size.

Travel allowances

Operators are expected to book their own travel, however COEX will reimburse travel expenses including flights, accommodation and fuel under the conditions set out below.

Travel reimbursement will be paid once per operator, not per attendee. All allowances will be paid a week before the event. Please see the table below to work out what you are entitled to claim. Distance is measured from the operator’s site to Brisbane’s CBD.

Distance Allowance caps What’s covered?
0–200 km (less than 2.5 hrs driving) Up to $500 Mileage (0.85c per km), train or bus fares from the operator’s home or CRP and return.

If the operator consumes alcohol on the night and lives:

  • 0-100kms from the venue (greater Brisbane) – taxis, rideshare or public transport will be covered on presentation of a receipt up to a maximum of $200)
  • 100-200kms from the venue (outside greater Brisbane) – the operator may be entitled to claim for one night’s accommodation if necessary.
200–500 km (2.5–5.5 hrs travel) Up to $800 Return flight, train or bus + one night accommodation OR fuel + one night accommodation
500 km+ (more than 5.5 hrs of travel) Up to $1,000 Return flight + one night accommodation

NB: If an operator based more than 200km from Brisbane brings a plus one who needs a separate room, COEX will cover this extra cost (e.g. An operator brings an employee of the opposite gender who they’re not in a relationship with).

Operators within 200km of Brisbane are not automatically entitled to accommodation. However, if they intend to drink alcohol at the awards event, COEX strongly recommends they DON’T drive. 

*This applies only to operators, not additional team members or plus ones.

Accommodation support is targeted at operators travelling longer distances, with safety‑based provisions (including cab vouchers) possible where alcohol is consumed at the evening event.

Plus-one policy for the awards

Only operators (not their team members) are allowed to bring a plus-one to the awards to:

  • avoid venue overcapacity
  • keep the focus on recognising operator excellence and professional engagement
  • control alcohol-related risks
  • avoid inequity where some operators may try to bring whole families.

Accommodation

COEX has negotiated a discounted price with the InterContinental Brisbane for those attending the forum and/or the awards.

Forty rooms are available for event attendees on Thursday 23 July for $269. Click here to book.

Once these rooms are booked out, operators can book directly with the InterContinental using CODE: XYZ15 to save 15%

Topics

How do I claim reimbursement for my travel?

Operators claim back the cost of their travel and accommodation (if required) by submitting an invoice to their Network Lead with supporting invoices or receipts for each item claimed.

What type of travel is covered (e.g. mileage, flights, accommodation, rideshare, public transport)?

Travel of all types is covered up to the limits listed in the table, i.e.:

  • Driving – via a vehicle mileage claim
  • Flights, trains or bus fares and accommodation
  • Taxis, rideshare or public transport (up to a cap of $200) for those living up to 100kms from the venue if they consume alcohol and can’t drive safely on the night.
Are there any caps or limits (e.g. per person, per entity, per distance)?

Yes, the travel reimbursement amount is a one off amount up to amounts listed. Any costs above the caps or for plus-ones must be funded by operator.

What evidence is required for mileage claims?
  • Operators are bound by the same rules on mileage claims as members of the COEX team, and will be required to fill out a mileage claim.
  • A screen shot of a journey planner or Google maps showing the distance from their home or CRP to the events must also be provided.
Is a standard rate per kilometre applied? If so, what is the rate?

Yes, mileage for driving is $0.85 per km.

What documentation is required for non-mileage claims (e.g. flight receipts, invoices, accommodation booking receipts)?

Itemised tax invoices or receipts must be provided for all claims. Documentation must clearly show:

  • Flight, train or bus traveller name
  • Date of travel / stay – i.e. 23 July 2026
  • Supplier details – e.g. airline/rail/bus-line and accommodation
  • Amount paid
  • Mileage claim (if relevant)
  • Google maps/journey planner with kms (if relevant).

Boarding passes (or booking confirmations) may be requested for flights, rail or bus if needed for verification.

Does each individual submit separately, or one claim per entity?

Only one claim per operator or primary invitee is allowed. Guests or plus-ones cannot claim for travel but can accompany the operator.

Can third-party purchases (e.g. staff member pays for travel) be reimbursed, and how?

No. The operator will be required to cover those costs.

How and where should claims be submitted

Claims must be submitted by invoice sent to the Network Leads along with a completed mileage form and supporting documentation.

Network Leads will send to Comms via enquiries@containerexchange.com.au We will collate the claims in a spreadsheet, and they will be sent to Finance for processing.

What is the deadline for submitting claims?

If you want to be paid before the event/s, invoices must be submitted at least 7 working days before the event, i.e. 15 July. Invoices submitted after this will be paid once approved as part of BAU (within 14 days).

What checks will be in place to prevent fraudulent or duplicate claims?

Checks will be made against:

  • Event attendance records
  • Operator eligibility
  • Duplicate submissions

Receipts will be verified and claims will have to be consist with travel policies.

Supporting receipts will be required for all claims.

When will reimbursements be paid

Invoices received by 15 July will be processed in the week before the event.

Invoices received after the event/s will be processed as usual, with payment expected within 14 days of approval.

How many guests can large operators with complex structures have (e.g. a master entity with multiple operating entities)?

The CEO/owner/operator is permitted to invite 3 guests. Area Managers who have been invited are entitled to one guest. If someone responsible for a CRP believes they are entitled to attend but wasn’t on the list of attendees, they can contact us at enquiries@containerexchange.com.au.

Can operators purchase additional tickets beyond their allocation?

No, this isn’t a ticketed event – no payment is required. The number of guests is constrained by the venue capacity. Please check with us at enquiries@containerexchange.com.au re: requests for additional guests so we can work out a fair decision so as many operators as possible can attend.

Who will be judging the awards?

A shortlisting panel of senior COEX team members will go through the award nominations to confirm they meet safety, compliance and reputational requirements before judging:  

  • Joe Fitzgerald – EGM Stakeholder and Communications 
  • Dancris Gloria – Manager WHSE 

All shortlisted entries will be judged by a panel including the Chair of the COEX Board, COEX leaders and a key senior external stakeholder from the Department of Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation: 

  • Andrew Clark – Chair, COEX Board 
  • Trevor Evans – Interim CEO 
  • Cr Tracey Davis, Brisbane City Council
  • Thomas Juzwin – EGM Network Delivery. 
When will finalists be announced?

Finalists will be announced in late June 2026 after judging has taken place.