Know a superstar in the coffee and café industry? Submissions are now open to nominate them as part of the 2026 Coffee Industry Heroes awards.
The awards – returning for their second year as part of the Melbourne International Coffee Expo (MICE) – celebrate organisations and individuals who have displayed commitment and made positive impacts towards their craft, the industry, and the people around them.
A variety of categories will spotlight heroes making an impact, including:
- Community Champion, celebrating an individual who demonstrates acts of community service and devotion to a social cause;
- Lifetime Achievement, recognising an individual who has been part of the coffee industry for more than 20 years;
- Next-Gen Talent, celebrating an individual under the age of 30 who exudes passion for their craft and made a significant contribution to business;
- Sustainability Champion, recognising an individual or business for their contribution to environmental responsibility and sustainable practices;
- Coffee Educator, honouring exceptional mentoring and guidance at all educational levels within the Australian coffee sector;
- Best new café, honouring a new Australian café established in the past 12 months that has demonstrated a positive contribution to its local community;
- Home grown hero award, honours a member of the Australian coffee growing community who has been an advocate for the growth of the local farming sector.
Siobhan Rocks, General Manager – Events at Prime Creative Media says the awards are “a real celebration of the trailblazers, the legends, and the newcomers”.
“We’re really putting people who are in the industry in the middle and really shining a light on them as part of that,” she says.
Nominations and submissions close on Friday 30 January, with finalists announced on Wednesday 18 February, culminating in an awards ceremony at MICE on Thursday 26 March.
To submit your nomination and for more information, visit internationalcoffeeexpo.com/coffee-industry-heroes/
