The spotlight is waiting! Nominations are now open for the 2026 CAC Awards, exemplifying excellence in the coffee industry. Do you, or someone you know, meet the criteria below?
The CAC’s highest recognition for an individual whose extraordinary and ground-breaking contribution(s) has been a driving force of positive change and has had a significant, profound, and lasting impact on the coffee community.
This Award recognizes a company, product or service that the Canadian coffee industry widely views as a progressive achievement that will positively benefit the future of coffee. Bonus if there is a goodwill aspect (eg. charity component, environmental or sustainability impact)
A coffee business with a minimum of 3 and a maximum 40 locations in Canada that is creating a buzz in the industry – from a marketing, product innovation, diversity & inclusion, charitable or other perspective.
A coffee business that promotes sustainable practices with a focus on countries of origin, contributing to a more equitable and environmentally friendly coffee supply chain.
Time Period of Contribution
Open-ended/lifetime
Past Year
Past Year
Past Year
CAC Membership Required for Nominee?
Yes (unless by special exception)
No
No
No
Self-Nomination Allowed?
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Criteria
Made an outstanding and pioneering contribution to Canada’s coffee industry.
Had a positive, measurable and lasting impact in their community.
Made the industry better by driving forward change in areas such as social responsibility, equity, diversity, inclusion and promoting the industry.
Created a game-changing Canadian product or service for the coffee industry.
This innovation must make a significant positive impact on the coffee industry and add measurable value, such as reducing costs, enhancing the customer experience, promoting ethical or social change, sustainability, etc.
This innovation is widely viewed as a progressive achievement.
A small to medium sized coffee restaurant/café (3-40 locations) that is growing.
This chain is making an impact and creating a buzz that is being noticed by the industry – be it through products, service, innovation, sustainability, leadership etc.
Drives meaningful change and sets new standards for sustainability in the coffee industry.
Examples can include a holistic approach with a comprehensive roadmap towards carbon neutrality and circularity; consumer and employee education and awareness; environmental impact analyses, etc.
Submission Deadline
Friday, October 2, 2026
Award Description
The CAC’s highest recognition for an individual whose extraordinary and ground-breaking contribution(s) has been a driving force of positive change and has had a significant, profound, and lasting impact on the coffee community.
Time Period of Contribution
Open-ended/lifetime
CAC Membership Required for Nominee?
Yes (unless by special exception)
Self-Nomination Allowed?
Yes
Criteria
Made an outstanding and pioneering contribution to Canada’s coffee industry.
Had a positive, measurable and lasting impact in their community.
Made the industry better by driving forward change in areas such as social responsibility, equity, diversity, inclusion and promoting the industry.
Submission Deadline
Friday, October 2, 2026.
Award Description
This Award recognizes a company, product or service that the Canadian coffee industry widely views as a progressive achievement that will positively benefit the future of coffee. Bonus if there is a goodwill aspect (eg. charity component, environmental/sustainability impact).
Time Period of Contribution
Past Year
CAC Membership Required for Nominee?
No
Self-Nomination Allowed?
Yes
Criteria
Created a game-changing Canadian product or service for the coffee industry.
This innovation must make a significant positive impact on the coffee industry and add measurable value, such as reducing costs, enhancing the customer experience, promoting ethical or social change, sustainability, etc.
This innovation is widely viewed as a progressive achievement.
Submission Deadline
Friday, October 2, 2026.
Award Description
A coffee business with a minimum of 3 and a maximum 40 locations in Canada that is creating a buzz in the industry – from a marketing, product innovation, diversity & inclusion, charitable or other perspective.
Time Period of Contribution
Past Year
CAC Membership Required for Nominee?
No
Self-Nomination Allowed?
Yes
Criteria
A small to medium sized coffee restaurant/café (3-40 locations) that is growing.
This chain is making an impact and creating a buzz that is being noticed by the industry – be it through products, service, innovation, sustainability, leadership etc.
Submission Deadline
Friday, October 2, 2026.
Award Description
This Award recognizes an outstanding volunteer whose overall leadership and contributions stood out during the past year.
Time Period of Contribution
Past Year
CAC Membership Required for Nominee?
Yes
Self-Nomination Allowed?
No
Criteria
Helps to make the CAC better for all Members by sharing their time, expertise and talent.
Volunteers on a CAC Committee or provides volunteer support of significance in some other manner.
Goes above and beyond attending regular Committee Meetings.
Submission Deadline
Friday, October 2, 2026.
Submit a Nomination
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