Distinguished Leadership Award

Through the establishment of the National Coffee Association’s Distinguished Leadership Award (NCA Distinguished Leadership Award), the NCA aims to recognize individuals who have dedicated their time, enthusiasm, and expertise to enhance the U.S. coffee industry by focusing on education, advocacy, and/or fostering connections within the coffee community.

Description of the Award
The NCA Distinguished Leadership Award honors individuals who have demonstrated exceptional leadership, unwavering service, and dedication to the U.S. coffee community. This prestigious award is presented to individuals who have made notable leadership contributions to education, advocacy, and/or the development of connections and community within the coffee sector. This award recognizes sustained leadership, service, and contributions over time, rather than for a single act.

Nominee's Eligibility Requirements

• The nominee must be a current or prior member of the NCA in good standing.
• No restrictions as to the classification of membership.
• The nominee must be widely regarded as possessing integrity, honesty, and the respect of his/her peers.
• This is an individual award. Companies are not eligible.
• The nominee may be living or deceased.
• The timeframe of the nominee's contribution(s) is open-ended.
• Current members of the NCA Board of Directors are not eligible for consideration during their term of office. Nomination of a prior board member cannot occur until the candidate has left the Board.
• Award recipient or a representative, on behalf of the Award recipient, must be available for the Awards Presentation during the NCA Annual Convention.

Nomination Process

• For each Distinguished Leadership Award nominee, a minimum of three (3) nominations is required, but a maximum of four (4) nominations may be submitted, by NCA members or non-members.
• Required Nominations:
• One (1) Lead Nomination.
• Two (2) Supporting Nominations.
• Additional Nominations (Not Required):
• One (1) additional Supporting Nomination may be submitted.
• Nominees may also be identified and submitted by NCA staff.
• Self-nominations are not accepted.
• Nominations may be made to present the award posthumously.
• Nominations must be in English.
• Nominations must explain why the nominee deserves, above all others, this distinguished award.
• Nominations must contain sufficient information to inform the NCA Awards Committee without additional research.

See the Terms and Conditions for full details, including judging, selection, and notification processes, and NCA Distinguished Leadership Award recipient benefits.

Questions? Contact Terri Bartlett, Director of Member Relations, at (646) 924-4039 or trbartlett@ncausa.org.

Important Dates and Deadlines
For nominees to be considered as award recipients at the next NCA Annual Convention, nominations must be submitted to the NCA by November 7, 2025.

Awards Presentation: Friday, March 13, 2026. The Awards Presentations will take place during the Friday Luncheon & Awards Ceremony at the 2026 NCA Convention.

Nomination Process

Rising Star Award

Description of the Award
The National Coffee Association's Rising Star Award (NCA Rising Star Award) honors an emerging young professional in the U.S. coffee industry who is under the age of 40 and has a total of 5 to 10 years of experience in the coffee industry. The recipient of this special recognition has demonstrated exceptional creativity, forward-thinking, innovative ideas, and inspiring leadership skills, making a notable impact within their organization or the coffee industry.

This award recognizes a young professional whose contributions exceed expectations, demonstrating exceptional growth and impact, and indicating a promising future for both them and the entire coffee industry.

Nominee's Eligibility Requirements

• The nominee must be a current member of the NCA in good standing.
• The nominee must be under the age of 40 and have a total of 5 to 10 years of total professional experience in the coffee industry.
• The nominee must have exceeded the expectations of their duties and responsibilities.
• No restrictions as to the classification of membership.
• The timeframe of the nominee’s contributions is open-ended.
• The nominee must be widely regarded as possessing integrity, honesty, and the respect of his/her peers.
• Current members of the NCA Board of Directors are not eligible for consideration during their term of office. Nomination of a prior board member cannot occur until the candidate has left the Board.
• The award recipient or a representative, on behalf of the Award recipient, must be available for the Awards Presentation during the NCA Annual Convention.

Nomination Process

• A minimum of two (2) nominations is required, but a maximum of four (4) nominations may be submitted by NCA members or non-members.
• Required Nominations:
• One (1) Lead Nomination.
• One (1) Supporting Nomination.
• Additional Nominations (Not Required):
• Two (2) additional Supporting Nominations may be submitted.
• Self-nominations are not accepted.
• Nominations must be in English.
• Nominations must explain why the nominee deserves, above all others, this award.
• Nominations must contain sufficient information to inform the NCA Awards Committee without additional research.

See the Terms and Conditions for full details, including judging, selection, and notification processes, and 2026 NCA Rising Star Award recipient benefits.

Questions? Contact Terri Bartlett, Director of Member Relations, at (646) 924-4039 or trbartlett@ncausa.org.

Important Dates and Deadlines
For nominees to be considered as award recipients at the next NCA Annual Convention, nominations must be submitted to the NCA by November 7, 2025.

Awards Presentation: Friday, March 13, 2026. The Awards Presentations will take place during the Friday Luncheon & Awards Ceremony at the 2026 NCA Convention.

Nomination Process

Volunteer of the Year Award

Description of the Award
The National Coffee Association Volunteer of the Year Award recognizes a remarkable individual whose coffee-related volunteerism went above and beyond expectations, made a profound impact, and served as an inspiration to others to serve with purpose.

Nominee's Eligibility Requirements

• The nominee must have worked for an NCA member company during the year in which they are nominated.
• The volunteer work must be coffee-related and exceed the expectations of the volunteer’s duties and responsibilities.
• No restrictions as to the classification of membership.
• Recognition can be for a single contribution or a sustained contribution over time.
• Current members of the NCA Board of Directors are not eligible for consideration during their term of office. Nomination of a prior board member cannot occur until the candidate has left the Board.
• Award recipient or a representative, on behalf of the Award recipient, must be available for the Awards Presentation during the NCA Annual Convention.

Nomination Process

• For each Volunteer of the Year Award nominee, a minimum of one (1) nomination is required, but a maximum of four (4) nominations may be submitted by NCA members or non-members.
• Required Nominations:
• One (1) Lead Nomination.
• Additional Nominations (Not Required):
• Up to three (3) Supporting Nominations may be submitted.
• Nominees may also be identified and submitted by NCA staff.
• Self-nominations are not accepted.
• Nominations must be in English.
• Nominations must explain why the nominee deserves, above all others, this award.
• Nominations must contain sufficient information to inform the NCA Awards Committee without additional research.

See the Terms and Conditions for full details, including judging, selection, and notification processes, and 2026 NCA Volunteer of the Year Award recipient benefits.

Questions? Contact Terri Bartlett, Director of Member Relations, at (646) 924-4039 or trbartlett@ncausa.org.

Important Dates and Deadline
For nominees to be considered as award recipients at the next NCA Annual Convention, nominations must be submitted to the NCA by November 7, 2025.

Awards Presentation: Friday, March 13, 2026. The Awards Presentations will take place during the Friday Luncheon & Awards Ceremony at the 2026 NCA Convention.

Nomination Process