NCA Convention Speakers and Sessions

Our full roster of expert speakers and timely sessions is under development. In the meantime, sign up to receive 2026 Convention updates.

Keynotes

Dan Chuparkoff

Dan Chuparkoff is one of the world’s leading experts on AI, innovation, & the future of work. As a technology leader at Google, McKinsey, Atlassian, and more; Dan led transformations for teams in every industry as the world navigated three decades of technological change.

Known as the understandable technology speaker, Dan’s superpower is making complex things simple and useful. With his skill as an AI-educator combined with his formula for harnessing the power of innovation, he helps audiences to escape disruption and find growth and success. Dan shows teams how to make sense of AI, how to harness the Power of Technology, and how to combine that with the Power of Human Expertise. With this powerful blend, teams will learn to leverage AI & other technological advantages to thrive in the exponential future ahead.

G. Scott Clemons, Partner and the Chief Investment Strategist

Brown Brothers Harriman & Co.

Here be Dragons: Navigating an Unprecedented Economy

The level of uncertainty in this economy is off the charts, sometimes literally. This poses a challenge for anyone managing or growing a business, and yet skilled navigators can turn these challenges into opportunities. Join us for a survey of current conditions in the economy and financial markets, and a consideration of what risks and opportunities they pose.

Scott Clemons' insights on the economy, financial markets, and investing are highly regarded. He frequently contributes to major media outlets like The New York Times and CNBC. Scott is a trustee of several prestigious institutions, including the Morgan Library and Museum. He holds an A.B. in classics from Princeton University and is a CFA charterholder and a member of the New York Society of Security Analysts and the CFA Institute.

Cheryl Hung, Vice President of Insights

Dig Insights

2026 National Coffee Data Trends (NCDT) Sneak Preview
Sunshine, soccer, and strong coffee – Tampa, you’re the perfect place to kick off a fresh look at the 2026 National Coffee Data Trends (NCDT) consumer tracking study with Cheryl Hung (Dig Insights).

Whether you're a cold brew Buccaneer or a latte-loving Lightning fan, this sneak peek into how Americans are drinking coffee in a global sports year will perk you right up.

In this session, we’ll dive into what’s brewing in specialty coffee, the rise of ready-to-drink, and how major moments are reshaping consumers’ daily rituals. We’ll also dig into sustainability sentiment, economic uncertainty, and the big question on everyone’s minds: what do consumers really want from their coffee in a year when the world’s spotlight is shining on U.S. culture and hospitality?

2026 may bring a few offside calls and slippery slopes (you knew that was coming), but together, we’ll chart a winning path forward — uncovering the insights that will help the industry craft a stronger, smarter, and more energizing future.

Beth Spong, CEO

Dean’s Beans Organic Coffee

IWCA Breakfast: Sustaining What Sustains Us
Join us for the annual IWCA Networking Breakfast, taking a clear-eyed look at what keeps this industry resilient: the farms, the land, the people who grow the coffee, and the long-term decisions that determine whether this industry thrives for the next generation. This session is designed for leaders who think beyond quarterly cycles and care about stewardship, resilience, and long-term value. It will be thoughtful, relevant, and directly aligned with the questions shaping boardrooms across the industry today.

William "Bill" Murray, President & CEO

National Coffee Association

William (Bill) Murray has served as President and CEO of the National Coffee Association (NCA) since 2014, leading advocacy, regulatory, and member support activities. Previously, he was CEO of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA), guiding it through the Great Recession. Bill also spent over 20 years in Hollywood, ending his career there as Executive Vice President and Co-Chief Operating Officer at the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA).

Sessions & Workshop

Shirin Abd, M.S., Technical Director, Advanced Food Microbiology

Eurofins Microbiology Laboratories

Mark Corey, Ph.D., Director of Scientific & Regulatory Affairs

National Coffee Association USA

Safe and Chill: Science on Cold Brew Food Safety and Retail Compliance

In recent years, cold brewed coffee has become a very popular, mainstream product. While hot brewed coffee has a long history of safe consumption, cold brewed coffee is a unique product category and has a comparatively short history of safety. Regulators and the scientific community have been slower to gather scientific data on its safety and many questions remain in how to regulate various aspects of cold brew production and retail. Since the product’s food safety and compliance requirements go hand in hand and uncertainty exists in both areas, many challenges exist in designing and commissioning research studies that meet the needs of health inspectors and retailers. The purpose of this session is to provide a snapshot into the current state of science for cold brewed coffee food safety and identify some unique challenges the industry faces.

Nik Allen, Global Insight Manager, Consumer Foodservice

Euromonitor International

Growth Platforms: Cold Coffee, Functional Beverages, and Changing Consumer Habits

Younger consumers are redefining the coffee landscape, merging functionality, flavor, and convenience into their daily rituals. This session draws on extensive beverage insights to explore how evolving consumer values are shaping the future of coffee—from cold brews and ready-to-drink (RTD) beverages to hybrid coffee-energy drinks and wellness-oriented innovations.

The discussion will expand on:
• The overlap between coffee and functional beverage segments, including energy, focus, and mood-supporting formulations.
• The impact of inflation and shifting consumer priorities on beverage pricing and brand loyalty.
• The rise of at-home experimentation and private-label RTD coffee as consumers seek value and personalization.

Attendees will gain actionable insights on how brands can capture new growth platforms, balance indulgence with functionality, and position their portfolios to meet the expectations of the next generation of coffee drinkers.

David Behrends, Managing Partner & Head of Trading

SUCAFINA SA

From Volatility to Vision: The Next Era of Coffee Growth

This forward-looking session tackles the structural changes redefining green coffee trade and strategy in a volatile world. Combining extensive trading experience with supply chain leadership, our speaker will examine how shifting business models, emerging technologies, and climate pressures are reshaping production, sustainability, and long-term viability at origin. With a U.S. market lens, this session will connect green coffee’s future to broader trends in fragmentation, consumer expectations, and global demand—offering a grounded yet visionary take on where growth can and should happen next.

Sarah Brew, Partner

Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP

Coffee Labeling: Compliance, Risks, and Opportunities

Coffee labeling is critical. It’s closely monitored by federal, state, and local regulators. Missteps—such as unclear claims or outdated practices—can lead to fines and reputational harm. The industry is evolving, with new opportunities like health-related messaging and risks from shifting compliance standards. Brands should stay informed and use resources like the updated NCA Coffee Product Labeling Guide and NCA Coffee Labeling Resource Center to remain compliant and competitive.

Carley Garner, Futures and Options Broker, Commodity Market Strategist

DeCarley Trading

Managing Coffee Pricing Risk in a Volatile World

Coffee prices have surged to historic highs and show little indication of returning to prior levels. In this timely session, Carley Garner, veteran commodity strategist and co-founder of DeCarley Trading, will offer a futures-market view of what the coffee industry may face in 2026 and beyond. Drawing on two decades in commodities brokerage, she will unpack how macroeconomic forces, speculative activity, climate volatility, and geopolitical instability are reshaping the global market. Carley will outline practical approaches to managing price risk, including hedging tools, contract structuring, and market-timing considerations for importers, traders, and roasters. Attendees will leave with a clearer understanding of how to work through continued volatility in the “C price” and how to strengthen procurement strategies for the long term.

Lina Jasutiene, Managing Director

Recoupex

The Hidden Costs of Coffee Logistics (and How to Recover Them Legally)

Beyond freight rates and insurance premiums, many coffee exporters lose thousands each year through unclaimed or unrecovered cargo claims. This session breaks down where those losses occur and how strategic recovery and strong documentation can protect your bottom line when dealing with carriers, buyers, and other supply chain partners. Attendees will learn how to identify the most common sources of financial loss in coffee cargo claims, document and establish carrier liability, and navigate disputes with buyers. The session will also clarify how cargo insurance, loss ratios, and premiums interact, while offering practical guidance on creating a “claims-ready” SOP that streamlines internal processes and reduces preventable financial leakage.

Carlos Mera, Head of Agri Commodity Market Research

Rabobank

Global Supply and Demand Dynamics

Coffee prices reached record highs in 2025 amid a combination of tight global supply, logistical bottlenecks, and regulatory pressures. Five consecutive weak arabica harvests in Brazil, lack of area growth in Vietnam, shipping delays around the Red Sea, and new trade measures like the EU Deforestation Regulation and U.S. tariffs have disrupted traditional trade flows and depleted stocks. High interest rates and price volatility have added to market strain, while early signs of softening demand suggest shifting consumption trends in major markets. This session will provide an overview of these intertwined factors and what they mean for coffee market stability heading into 2026.

John Owen, Associate Director – Food and Retail

Mintel

Packaging the Brand

This session provides a look at how consumers view beverage packaging, the increasingly important role that packaging plays in shaping the brand experience, and implications for coffee. The presentation will also explore consumers’ perspectives on environmental responsibility, their priorities for packaging’s communication and function, and ways that packaging can help them manage increasing budget pressures.

Dan Pabst, Manager, Innovations and Product Development

Melitta North America, Inc.

Workshop: The Future of Single Origins: Rethinking Coffee Sourcing and Storytelling

This workshop explores how coffee sourcing is shifting beyond familiar single-origin narratives and into a more flexible, flavor-driven approach. Participants will taste a range of single-origin coffees selected to challenge long-held assumptions about origin profiles and how they “should” taste. Additional guided tastings will demonstrate how these same coffees can be “matched” with blend components, revealing how strategic blending can elevate cup quality, strengthen brand stories, and expand consumer education. These exercises will connect to broader market dynamics and sourcing pressures facing the industry. Attendees will leave with a clearer understanding of how innovative sourcing and blending strategies can help meet today’s global challenges and reimagine how we select, market, and appreciate coffee.

Mike Padovano, Senior Vice President - Global Trade Consulting

World Wide Logistics

Brewing Savings: Duty Drawback, Tariff Mitigation, and Competitive Advantage for Coffee Companies

With recent tariff changes increasing the cost of imported coffee products, industry leaders are facing new financial and operational pressures. This session will outline the current tariff landscape and its direct impact on coffee importers, roasters, and distributors. We’ll cover proven tariff-mitigation strategies used across other import-heavy industries, with a focus on duty drawback and Foreign Trade Zones (FTZs). Attendees will learn how these programs can serve as cost-recovery tools, including for companies that historically were not affected by duties. The session will also feature a real-world case study showing how our team helped a coffee client recover previously paid duties and reinvest those savings back into the business, creating new opportunities for growth and competitive advantage.

Anne Reinke, President & CEO

Intermodal Association of North America

Intermodal Lessons for a Resilient Coffee Supply Chain

Anne Reinke, President & CEO of the Intermodal Association of North America will look at how intermodal logistics innovations can strengthen the coffee supply chain. Anne will share practical insights on data transparency, infrastructure upgrades, and cross-sector collaboration. She’ll break down how coffee importers, roasters, and logistics teams can use intermodal strategies to manage volatility, including disruptions, bottlenecks, and port congestion. This session connects containerized freight and commodity movement, offering concrete ideas for building a more agile and resilient path from origin to cup.

Steve Wood, Director, Credit Risk

StoneX

Counterparty Risk in Coffee: Exposure, Mitigation, and Strategic Safeguards