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2025 NCA Convention Program

Note: The Convention program is subject to change. All activities will be held at the Marriott Marquis Houston unless otherwise noted. 

You spoke, we listened. The traditional NCA Annual Convention schedule is shifting in March. The 2025 NCA Convention program will kick off on Thursday afternoon and will wrap up at 11:30 am on Saturday. This eliminates the need for an additional night at the hotel and allows you to depart midday Saturday to enjoy the rest of your weekend.

Wednesday, March 5

9:30 am – 9:50 am

NCA Annual Meeting of Members

 

Thursday, March 6

9:00 am – 5:00 pm 

Java Lounge & Event Hub: Featuring coffee service and refreshments 

Sponsored by Neumann Gruppe USA

 

9:30 am – 6:30 pm

NCA Community Central (Registration): General Info and Badge Pickup

 

9:30 am – 2:30 pm

Educational Tour of Port Houston – optional experience for attendees.  

OFF PROPERTY. Ticketed event. Pre-registration required. Limited tickets available.

 

10:00 am – 2:00 pm

    

Community Support Activity
Drop-in for a hands-on charitable activity supporting the local community (approx. 30-minute participation time)

Sponsored by Massimo Zanetti Beverage

 

10:30 am – 2:30 pm

Coffee Gives Back “Day of Service” – Brunch and orientation followed by OFF PROPERTY community service experience.  

Ticketed event. Pre-registration required. Limited tickets available.

Sponsored by Melitta, Nestlé, and Starbucks

 

1:00 pm – 2:30 pm

    

Robusta of the Future: Innovations, Origins, and Tasting Experience
Presenter: Dan Pabst, Melitta

 

3:15 pm – 4:00 pm

Orientation for New Members, First Timers, and Non-Members


4:00 pm – 4:45 pm

Appreciation Reception with Tabletop Partners for NCA Board of Directors, Sponsors, and Invited Guests  – by invitation

 Sponsored by BMO Bank

 

5:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Welcome from the CEO & Coffee Consumer Insights (2025 NCDT Sneak Preview)
Speakers: Bill Murray, NCA President & CEO; Cheryl Hung, Dig Insights
Sponsored by White Coffee

 

6:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Welcome Reception – on the Marriott Marquis Pool Deck

 

Friday, March 7

7:30 am – 5:00 pm

NCA Community Central (Registration): General Information

 

7:30 am – 5:00 pm

Java Lounge & Event Hub: Featuring coffee service and refreshments

 Sponsored by Neumann Gruppe USA

 

8:00 am – 9:15 am

IWCA Breakfast

Ticketed event. Pre-registration required. Limited tickets available.

 

8:15 am – 9:15 am
Breakfast with Tabletop Partners (Tabletop viewing)
Sponsored by Cadeco

 

9:30 am – 11:00 am
State of the Association & Keynote

Speaker: Bill Murray, NCA CEO & President

Keynote Speaker: Sebastian Terry

 

11:00 am 3:00 pm

    

Community Support Activity
Drop-in for a hands-on charitable activity supporting the local community (approx. 30-minute participation time)


 
11:00 am 11:30 am
Coffee Break with Tabletop Partners
Sponsored by Community Coffee Company

 

11:30 am – 12:15 pm
Concurrent Breakout Sessions

Logistics: Current Challenges and Long Term Outlook Facing the Coffee Supply Chain
Speakers: Ricardo Arias, Port of Houston; Sal Mercagliano; Bill Brauner, Brauner International.; Thomas Hartley, Hartley Transportation

Premium Coffee: Understanding the 2025 Consumer During Anxious Economic Times
Speaker: Matthew Barry, Euromonitor

Unseen Flaws: Tackling Hidden Sensory Defects Through Industry Collaboration
Speaker: Alain Lai, ProfilePrint

Sponsored by Oracle America, Inc.


12:30 pm – 2:00 pm
NCA Luncheon and Awards Presentations
Luncheon Sponsored by Louis Dreyfus Company.
Origin of the Year Award sponsored by Mother Parkers Tea & Coffee.
Individual Recognition Awards sponsored by Eight O’Clock Coffee. 

 

2:15 pm 3:00 pm
Concurrent Breakout Sessions

Consumer Class Actions: Strategies to Evolve and Adapt to New Threats
Speaker: Rory Collins, Faegre Drinker

Consumer Trends
Speaker forthcoming

Leveraging Digital Technologies: Automation Solutions for Coffee Operator Success
Speakers: Bruce Wright and Chairil McClain, BUNN

 

3:00 pm 3:30 pm

Coffee Break with Tabletop Partners

Sponsored by Westrock Coffee Company

 

3:30 pm – 4:15 pm
Concurrent Breakout Sessions

Cold Brew: Safety and Compliance for Retailers and Commercial Manufacturers
Speaker: Dr. Mark Corey, PhD., National Coffee Association

Consumer Trends
Speaker forthcoming

Processing of Recyclable Coffee Packaging: Evolving Requirements for Recyclable Materials
Speakers: Ellen Reichmann, Syntegon Technology

Sponsored by Fres-co System USA, Inc.


4:30 pm – 5:30 pm

Next Generation Coffee Leaders Session

EUDR: Deforestation, Traceability and You

Sponsored by F. Gavina & Sons, Inc. 

 

5:30 pm – 7:00 pm

Final Evening Reception “2026: NCA in The Sunshine State” with Tabletop Partners

Sponsored by StoneX Financial Inc

 

Saturday, March 8

8:00 am – 11:30 am

NCA Community Central: General Information

 

8:00 am – 11:30 am

Java Lounge & Event Hub: Featuring coffee service and refreshments

 Sponsored by Neumann Gruppe USA

 

8:15 am 9:00 am 

Breakfast with Tabletop Partners

Sponsored by Fetco

 

9:15 am 10:15 am

U.S. Economy and Markets in 2025

Speaker: Scott Clemons, CFA, Brown Brothers Harriman 

Sponsored by Brown Brothers Harriman

 

10:15 am 10:45 am

Coffee Break Tabletop Closing

 

10:45 am 11:30 am
Concurrent Breakout Sessions

The Future of Decaf: Embracing the Shift in Consumer Needs with Technology and Innovation 
Speaker: Jan Schwital, CR3 Coffee Group

Navigating Global Coffee Market Volatility: Economic Outlook and Strategic Insights
Speaker: Kona Haque, ED&F Man

Third Session Forthcoming

 

11:30 am  12:00 pm

Farewell Grab & Go Lunch

 

View registration and pricing details.

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