NCA Seeking Nominations to Honor Confectionery Industry Leaders

WASHINGTON - The National Confectioners Association is currently seeking nominations of outstanding industry leaders across several disciplines for awards that will be presented at the 2026 State of the Industry Conference to be held March 8-10 at the JW Marriott Orlando Grande Lakes. The nomination period for all awards closes Friday, October 3.

Two Confectionery Leadership Awards will honor top retail or wholesale buyers, category managers, and executives for their effective business collaboration, category management best practices, and innovations in merchandising confectionery products in-store. Any employee of an NCA member company or a fellow retailer can nominate a deserving individual for a Confectionery Leadership Award.

NCA's Woman of Influence Award, presented by NCA's Women's Leadership Group, honors a woman who has shown outstanding leadership, mentorship, and a track record of success in the confectionery industry. This award recognizes those who inspire other women and create opportunities for their advancement across the industry. Nominations for the Woman of Influence Award can be submitted by any member of the confectionery industry.

The Candy Dish Awards celebrate the special relationship between manufacturers and the broker/sales agent community. The Golden Candy Dish Award is presented to a broker or sales agent industry member who has gone above and beyond to promote, grow, and advocate for the confectionery industry and celebrates individuals who have made a lasting contribution to the category. Nominations for the Golden Candy Dish can be made by fellow brokers or manufacturers. The Silver Candy Dish Award is presented to a standout broker/sales agency partner in a sales, marketing, or management role within the confectionery manufacturing sector whose career reflects a steadfast commitment to growing the confectionery category. Only employees of an NCA broker member company may nominate someone for a Silver Candy Dish.

All the awards will be presented on Sunday, March 8 during a special recognition ceremony at NCA's 2026 State of the Industry Conference. The conference will also feature one-of-a-kind education and networking events, the release of NCA's proprietary State of Treating report, and retailer-hosted roundtable sessions known as Treat & Greets. Learn more at CandyUSA.com/SOTIC.

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About the National Confectioners Association (NCA):
The National Confectioners Association is the voice of the U.S. confectionery industry. Our member companies create moments of joy with chocolate, candy, gum, and mints, drive $54 billion in retail sales, and add a little sweetness to life. NCA champions policies that help candy makers and other stakeholders in this unique category thrive while reminding consumers that chocolate and candy are treats. Learn more at CandyUSA.com or follow NCA on Facebook, X, and Instagram.