Care-Factor 2026: Organiser Q&A

On 31 July 2026, Care-Factor will host an inspiring evening dedicated to celebrating generosity, the spirit of the freight forwarding and logistics industry, and the power of giving back. DCN spoke with event organisers to discuss how the annual event came to be and the importance of the event for both the supported charities and the industry. 

What inspired you to start the Care Factor charity ball, and why was bringing the industry together important to you?

Clint Latta and Shane D’Aprile were having a lunch catch up and discussion turned to how blessed they and their children were and that not all kids had the same opportunities.

What could they do to make a difference?

They recognised that they worked in a wonderful industry and thought why not put a fun night on for the industry whilst giving back and changing lives…. From here the idea of Care-Factor was born.

Can you share one of your most memorable moments from past events?

The moments that stay with you are the emotional ones, when the room goes quiet because a charity has just told a story that hits home. Different stories land differently for different people, but every year there's at least one that gets the entire room. That's the bit that reminds you why you are doing this.

And then there's Paul Zalai. Our theme is Christmas in July, and Paul has form for getting up on stage with the band, dancing with Santa in full swing, belting it out (Santa’s broken now😊). That moment captures the other side of Care-Factor, it's a night where the industry genuinely lets its hair down. You need both. The serious bit and the fun bit.

Tell us about the charities involved, how do you select them, and what kind of lasting impact have you seen ?

We focus on causes affecting kids through to teens and young adults such as anti-bullying, resilience, and mental health which are recurring themes, alongside childhood illness and medical research. In recent events we've deliberately chosen charities that don't get the same exposure to government funding as the bigger more well-known charities.

After each event, the committee nominates options for the following year. We research them thoroughly, ask hard questions, and vote when everyone's comfortable with the possible beneficiaries.

Previous charities we have supported are Canteen, Alanna & Madeline Foundation, Childhood Dementia Initiative, Dollys Dream, RUNDIPG, Waves of Wellness and Find Ya Feet.

In 2025 our beneficiary was Find Ya Feet, who received $100,000 from our event to increase their youth mental health work.

Across our five events to date we've raised more than $340,000. All profits raised go to our chosen charities as our teams work is all on a voluntary basis.

Have you had any interactions with beneficiaries or attendees that stayed with you?

Beneficiaries come back to us with updates on what the money has actually achieved — programs they've launched, kids they've reached, problems on which they've made progress. That's the bit you don't always see at other industry charity events. The relationships don't end when the night does.

We were so thrilled to hear that one of our previous beneficiaries, The Childhood Dementia Initiative who we supported in their early days, recently secured $5M from the Australian government’s medical research funding body, the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC), for research focused entirely on childhood dementia. Tragically some of the young people who we came to know have since passed away so these vital funds and research will hopefully help other families from facing the same pain.

Second — and this is the one that genuinely moves us — is the consistent return of attendees and sponsors year after year. BluePrint, Direct Couriers and Price & Speed have been with us from early on. These aren't people writing one cheque and moving on. They keep showing up because they've decided this matters. That kind of commitment from across the industry is what makes Care Factor work.

Thank you to our 2026 Sponsors: Blueprint Global, FreightPlus, Direct Couriers, Wymap Group, Bang IT Solutions, Dnata, OneStop, Wisetech Global, Daily Cargo News, Import Export TV

Past Sponsors: Blueprint Global, Logixboard, Direct Couriers, OneStop, Think Global Logistics, raft, NSW Ports, Menzies Aviation, FRM Staff/My Freight Career, Wisetech Global, Bonds, TT club, Cargomation, LogiHire, Stone Freight Solutions, Daily Cargo news, Import Export TV.

Images from the 2025 event

Why do you think it’s important for the shipping and logistics industry to be involved in initiatives like this?

Two reasons, really.

The first one is obvious — doing good. The causes we back are causes that matter, and our industry has the resources and the relationships to make a real difference.

The second one is connection. We've got industry conferences and CPD events for the technical side of the job. Care-Factor isn't that. It's a genuine human catch-up with industry peers, no agenda, no training or breakout sessions. Just people in the same industry sitting in the same room and reminding each other that we're all part of something special. It presents a united industry. And honestly — we make the world go round. We deserve a night off every now and then.

From what we have seen of the charities chosen so far, the issues they support affect us all, be it directly or indirectly and while they might be aimed at kids, the message can also help our industry attendees consider their mental health, rebooting and changing lifestyle.

What benefits, beyond the charitable impact, do industry participants gain by being involved?

Connection, self-learning, satisfaction of making a difference and gratitude. The industry shows up for each other every day in commercial relationships — but Care Factor is a different kind of showing up. People drop the competitive armour for one night, sit at tables nearby with people they'd possibly be negotiating against, and put money on the table for kids and those in need they'll likely never meet. That's the bit we are the proudest of.

How has the ball grown or evolved since it started, and what are you most proud of?

Each year we tweak the format based on what worked and what didn't, but the proudest part isn't just the money or awareness raised. It's that the industry now expects this night to happen. It's become part of the calendar. Sponsors & attendees come back, and new firms join in every year. That's the sign it's doing what we hoped it would and we are having fun together at the same time.

Looking ahead, what are your hopes or ambitions for the future of the Care Factor ball?

Continuing to raise awareness. Bigger numbers, more charities reached, and more of the industry involved — particularly the firms who haven't come along yet. We’d like to stay connected to past beneficiaries, share their progress, and keep the awareness going year-round rather than just one night a year. The longer-term ambition is simple — Care Factor continues to be the night industry doesn't want to miss out on, and the charities we back become more well known, continue on their unenviable journeys and knowing we as an industry helped.

What part of organising the ball do you enjoy most personally, and what has it taught you about leadership or community?

Working on the event each year shows us the importance of community and how we can work together to make a real difference. It’s a reminder of the impact that can be made when working as a team and working to your strengths.

When the room is set and we stand back and take a moment before it comes to life with everyone, you feel the excitement and know you are in for a fun night and hopefully will make a valuable contribution to our chosen charity.

A few things you didn't ask but worth covering

On the team behind it

Care Factor isn't a two-person operation. Freight & Trade Alliance host alongside Next Leap Training Solutions, OrangeLime Consulting, and Compliant Group. Behind them is a committee of volunteers from across the industry who do the heavy lifting each year — sourcing auction items, chasing sponsors, briefing speakers, running the floor. Without them, this is just an idea two blokes had at lunch.

On the charity partner perspective

For the charities we back, Care Factor isn't just a cheque. It's exposure to an industry audience that they wouldn't otherwise come across, and a single significant donation that lets them plan properly rather than scramble. That matters as much as the dollar amount — sometimes more.

On why this matters now

The last few years haven't been easy on this industry. Pandemic chaos, Red Sea disruption, tariff whiplash, AI changing the conversation about every job in the chain. Care Factor doesn't fix any of that — but for one night a year, it gives the industry permission to put it down, look at each other, and remember we're more than the sum of our shipments.

For your readers — the call to action

The 2026 Care- Factor ball is open for table bookings and limited tables remain. Further details are available at www.care-factor.com.au. If you've never come along, this is the year. And if you have come along before — bring someone who hasn't.