Nominations open for 2027 Coffee Industry Heroes Awards – BeanScene

Nominations are now open for the 2027 Coffee Industry Heroes Awards, providing an opportunity to recognise some of the people who make meaningful contributions to Australia’s coffee community.

Established in 2025, the event is once again returning to the Melbourne International Coffee Expo (MICE) and highlights the diverse contributions of people who strengthen the industry, championing those who continue to raise the standard of Australian coffee.

This year there are a trio of new awards joining the program, with Green Bean Connector, Origin Leader, and Innovator awards being introduced for the first time.

MICE lead Sarah Baker says the new categories have been introduced to recognise a broader range of industry professionals.

“Green Bean Connector can be anyone representing green-bean importing or similar roles. People who are really making those connections at origin and bringing incredible rare, delicious, and beautiful coffees into the Australian market,” she says.

“Origin Leader recognises people who are doing incredible work at origin. It could be someone who regularly travels to origin and is actively involved in leading positive change, or a producer who’s overseen an initiative such as the rejuvenation of a coffee-growing area.

“The final new category is Innovator, which acknowledges the people who are coming up with fresh products, services, and ideas that are making a positive contribution to the industry – think futuristic brewing equipment, game-changing tech services, and more.”

The 2027 Awards categories are as follows:

• Community Champion
• Lifetime Achievement
• Next-Gen Talent
• Sustainability Champion
• Coffee Educator
• Best New Café
• Green Bean Connector
• Origin Leader
• Innovator

Nominees should demonstrate a meaningful contribution to their category, with submissions encouraged to highlight their achievements, industry impact, commitment and the qualities that make them deserving of recognition.

Nominations are open to everyone within the coffee community, whether you are recognising a colleague, mentor, employee, or business or industry peer.

Self-nominations are also welcome.

Start your nominations here.

Sponsorship enquiries:
Charlotte Murphy
charlotte.murphy@primecreative.com.au
(+61) 432 263 377