The 2026 RapidClean Conference closed in Brisbane last week after three days of networking, presentations and awards, with the buying group marking a major change in leadership. Wayne Hill finished his three-and-a-half-year tenure as CEO and handed the reins to New Zealand-born Kylie Taylor, who steps into the role in November.
Delegates gathered at the Marriott Hotel on the banks of the Brisbane River with picturesque views of Story Bridge. Evenings moved to the funky Howard Smith Wharves for nightly networking dinners, and the program ran under the theme Together We Grow. The event attracted members, preferred suppliers and partners from a network spanning Australia and New Zealand.
The awards dinner recognised the network’s top performers, and Clean Plus took out Supplier of the Year with Apollo named runner-up. RapidClean TAS won Member of the Year, followed by Never2Clean in second place and Abcoe Distributors in third. Seko Australia also received an award as a top supplier in the Specialty Products category.
Seko’s managing director Vince Neal has attended every conference since his company became a preferred supplier and has watched the group mature. “Every year they go from strength to strength, which is fantastic,” he said. “It’s a great accolade and a testament to all my team back at the office.”
Celebrating the winners
The awards dinner at the 2026 RapidClean Conference honoured the suppliers and members whose commitment to the group drove results across Australia and New Zealand, and Clean Plus took out the top supplier title with Apollo named runner-up. Category winners recognised excellence in everything from packaging to personal protective equipment, while RapidClean Tasmania led the member field in first place and ten members earned a spot in the Top 10.
Supplier of the Year categories
Paper and Packaging Products: Huhtamaki Tailored Packaging
Cleaning Accessories: Edgar Edmondson
Cleaning Solutions: Clean Plus Chemicals
Machinery: Pacvac
Specialty: Seko
PPE and Safety: Apollo Safety
RapidClean Australian Supplier of the Year
Winner: Clean Plus
Runner-up: Apollo
RapidClean Member Top 10
1st place and overall winner: RapidClean Tasmania
2nd place: Never 2 Clean
3rd place: ABCOE Distributors
Lindsey’s Cleaning Supplies
RapidClean Illawarra
RapidClean Coffs Harbour
Kleenmart / Riverina
RapidClean Newcastle
Fraser Coast Cleaning Supplies
JNL RapidClean
Farewell and new beginnings
Hill used his final conference as CEO to thank members, suppliers and staff, and delegates gave him a warm send-off ahead of his retirement. “As of today, we have 77 stores across ANZ. In Australia, there’s 66 stores, and in New Zealand 11,” Hill said. “I’ve loved my time with Rapid. It is one of the best privileges I’ve had in my working career to work with a group of people that are so committed to their roles, their staff and their customers.”
He plans to spend his time off with his wife and grandson, and his advice for his successor was direct. “Get out, meet the people, meet the suppliers, the members, understand the business, and you’ll be successful.”
His successor, Taylor, spent her first days with the group meeting members and suppliers, and she described the culture with enthusiasm. “It’s very inclusive, very welcoming, very warm,” she said. Taylor has no plans to overhaul the group immediately. “I want to listen, learn and understand what’s working well and where some of the challenges are.” She intends to visit member sites across Australia and New Zealand, which will give her a first-hand view of how each business operates.
Emcee Tim Pitcher, from Clean Plus, hosted the conference for the fourth year and praised its relaxed yet fast-moving format. “It’s a very high tempo conference but short and sharp, which I really like,” he said. “There’s an awful lot of things to learn here.”
Keynote speaker and futurist Michael McQueen encouraged delegates to track the long-term tides of change, including artificial intelligence and generational change, and to ignore passing fads.
Next year’s conference will take place in Christchurch, New Zealand.
