National Coffee Association Opens Nominations for 2027 Awards Program

NEW YORK | AUGUST 18, 2026 — The National Coffee Association (NCA) is now accepting nominations for the 2027 NCA Individual Recognition Awards, which honor professionals whose leadership, service, innovation, and dedication are helping shape the future of coffee.

The deadline to submit a nomination is September 30, 2026. NCA will present the awards at the 2027 NCA Convention, March 4-6, in Austin, Texas.

2027 NCA Individual Recognition Awards
Nominees must meet the eligibility requirements for their award category. Anyone may submit a nomination for the NCA Individual Recognition Awards; however, NCA membership is required to submit a nomination for the Luminary Award.

• NCA Luminary Award, the NCA's highest honor, recognizes an individual whose extraordinary and groundbreaking contribution(s) has been a driving force of positive change and has had a significant, profound, and lasting impact on the coffee community.  
• NCA Distinguished Leadership Award honors an individual who has demonstrated exceptional leadership, service, and dedication to advancing the U.S. coffee community.
• NCA Rising Star Award celebrates an emerging professional under the age of 40 who has demonstrated exceptional creativity, forward-thinking, innovative ideas, and inspiring leadership skills, making a notable impact within their organization or the coffee industry.  
• NCA Volunteer of the Year Award recognizes an individual whose coffee-related volunteerism goes above and beyond expectations, leaving a lasting mark on the coffee and broader communities.

To submit a nomination for the Individual Recognition Awards, visit ncausa.org/awards.    

For media inquiries, contact media@ncausa.org.

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.