September 16, 2025 | NEW YORK — The National Coffee Association (NCA) is accepting nominations for the 2026 NCA Individual Recognition Awards and applications for the 2026 NCA Origin Charity of the Year Award.
The NCA is pleased to announce the new NCA Rising Star Award this year and updated eligibility criteria for some of its existing awards. The changes expand the scope of opportunities to recognize individuals who are making a lasting impact on the coffee industry.
The deadline to submit a nomination or application is November 7, 2025. The NCA will present the awards at the 2026 NCA Convention, March 12–14, in Tampa, Florida.
2026 NCA Individual Recognition Awards
Anyone may submit a nomination to the NCA Individual Recognition Awards (with the exception of the Luminary Award). Previously, only NCA members were able to submit nominations.
The NCA Rising Star Award, new in 2026, provides the opportunity to celebrate an emerging professional under the age of 40 who demonstrates outstanding creativity, innovation, and leadership, making a notable impact within their organization or the broader coffee community.
The NCA Distinguished Leadership Award honors an individual who has demonstrated exceptional leadership, service, and dedication to advancing the U.S. coffee industry.
The NCA Volunteer of the Year Award recognizes an individual whose coffee-related volunteer service demonstrates leadership, compassion, and a lasting impact on coffee and broader communities.
The NCA Luminary Award, the NCA's highest honor, recognizes an individual whose contributions have been truly game-changing, reflecting a legacy of leadership, innovation, and lasting impact on the coffee industry. You must be an NCA member to submit a nomination to the Luminary Award.
2026 NCA Origin Charity of the Year Award
Part of the NCA Coffee Gives Back program, the NCA Origin Charity of the Year Award recognizes charitable organizations that directly benefit coffee-growing communities at origin and have demonstrated strategic, innovative, and implementation excellence.
The NCA has simplified the application to help charities effectively showcase their powerful stories, invaluable contributions, and lasting impact.
The NCA Origin Charity Showcase and Award offer charitable organizations working at origin valuable exposure and visibility.
The 2026 NCA Origin Charity of the Year Award is made possible by the support of Mother Parkers Tea and Coffee.
To submit a nomination for the Individual Recognition Awards, visit ncausa.org/awards.
To apply for the NCA Origin Charity of the Year Award, visit ncausa.org/origin-charity-award.
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About the National Coffee Association: The National Coffee Association (NCA), established in 1911, is the United States’ oldest and largest trade organization representing coffee businesses of all types and sizes, including the producers, roasters, brands, and other companies responsible for 90% of U.S. coffee commerce. More American adults drink coffee each day than any other beverage other than bottled water, and coffee supports 2.2 million U.S. jobs—operating in every U.S. state and territory and contributing nearly $350 billion to the U.S. economy every year. For more information, visit ncausa.org or contact coffee@ncausa.org.