Poolwerx franchisees gather on the Gold Coast for annual convention and awards gala

Poolwerx held its annual convention and awards presentation on the Gold Coast during the week of August 16 to 19, in concert with SPLASH! 2026.

Unlock Growth – Together was the theme for this year’s Convention, with a focus on helping franchise partners identify and unlock the next stage of growth in their businesses – from strengthening teams and improving performance to expanding operations and pursuing new opportunities.

At the heart of the theme was the idea that growth does not happen in isolation – and franchise partners were encouraged to share experiences, learn from each other and tap into the collective knowledge.

The convention culminated in the annual Poolwerx Gala Awards, with Gemma and Ryan Quinn of Poolwerx Dural, NSW, named the 2026 Franchise Partners of the Year – the highest recognition for a Poolwerx Franchise Partner.

The award recognised their continued business growth, leadership and resilience, as well as their commitment to developing their team and supporting the wider Poolwerx network. From building a successful mobile business to expanding into retail and more recently through acquisition, Gemma and Ryan have continued to find new opportunities to grow.

“Winning Franchise Partners of the Year is an incredibly proud moment for us and a reflection of the team we’ve built around us,” says Ryan Quinn.

“We’ve continued to challenge ourselves and look for opportunities to grow, but being part of Poolwerx also means having a network of people you can learn from and share that journey with.”

Poolwerx Global CEO Nic Brill said Gemma and Ryan exemplified the qualities the award was created to recognise.

“Gemma and Ryan are commercially successful, ambitious and resilient, but just as importantly, they are committed to their team and generous in the way they support their peers,” Brill said.

The Convention celebrations were followed by further recognition for the Poolwerx network at the 2026 SPASA Awards of Excellence, with two franchise partners receiving national golds: Poolwerx Ellenbrook, WA was named Gold Winner for New Pool Store, while Poolwerx Wavell Heights, QLD received Gold for Best Mobile Service Business.

The full list of 2026 Poolwerx Convention award winners is below:

• Retail Store of the Year, Poolwerx Kenmore, QLD

• New Retail Store of the Year, Poolwerx Forrestdale, WA

• Retail Team Member of the Year, Violet Beattie - Poolwerx Waikato, NZ

• Technician of the Year, Robert Taylor-Thorpe - Applecross, WA

• Operations Person of the Year, Louis Aggersberg - Upper North Shore, NSW

• Employer of the Year, Deb, Shane & Bailey Crothers & Christopher Ramsden - Poolwerx Kardinya, WA

• State PiP Representative of the Year, Carlos Da Silva – Fluidra

• State-Based PiP of the Year, BWT Pool Products Lincoln Pty Ltd

• Brand Excellence, Emily King & Luke Knight - Caloundra, QLD

• Innovation & Entrepreneurial Excellence, Kirsten & Andrew Huth - Poolwerx Indooroopilly, QLD

• Rising Star, nominee, Brent Townsend & Dale Hallas - Poolwerx Mt Eliza, VIC

• Most Improved, Megha & Hardik Patel - Poolwerx Toowoomba, QLD

• Community Ambassador of the Year, Deb Crothers - Poolwerx Kardinya, WA

• NZ Regional FP of the Year, Michelle & Mark Bennett, Poolwerx Christchurch, NZ

• Brisbane North/Central QLD Regional FP of the Year, Kirsten & Andrew Huth, Poolwerx Indooroopilly

• Brisbane South, FNQ, NT and Northern NSW Regional FP of the Year, Megha & Hardik Patel, Poolwerx Toowoomba

• VIC/SA Regional FP of the Year, Craig Bruins, Poolwerx Greater Adelaide

• WA Regional FP of the Year, Deb, Shane & Bailey Crothers & Chris Ramsden, Poolwerx Kardinya.

• Highest Retail Chems ATV growth, Brent Townsend & Dale Hallas - Poolwerx Mt Eliza, VIC

• Top Sales, Poolwerx Mt Gravatt, QLD

• Top Mobile Sales (Single Territory), Poolwerx Coffs Harbour, NSW

• Top Retail Sales (Single Unit), Poolwerx Dubbo, NSW

IMAGE: Steve Halls, Poolwerx COO; John O’Brien, Poolwerx founder; Ryan Quinn, Poolwerx Dural 2026 Franchise Partner of the Year; Nic Brill, Poolwerx Global CEO. (Supplied)