Best New Product Awards at World of coffee
Competition Categories
Coffee Accessories
An item supplementary to coffee. For example, mugs, cups, lids, cleaning brushes, dump boxes, tampers, measuring items, etc.
Commercial Coffee Preparation and Serving Equipment
Any equipment used to prepare or serve coffee or tea in a commercial environment. For example, grinders, brewers, espresso machines, roasters, thermal pots, and servers.
Consumer Coffee Preparation and Serving Equipment
Any equipment used to prepare or serve coffee or tea in a non-commercial environment to enhance the quality of specialty coffee and tea beverages in the consumer marketplace. For example, grinders, brewers, espresso machines, roasters, thermal pots, and servers.
Open Class
Open to products that do not fit in any of the other entry categories and align with the current industry trends.
Consumable
This category includes, but is not limited to, products such as powdered chocolates, milk substitutes, syrups, creamers, and sweeteners designed to flavor coffee or tea beverages.
Food and beverage products are also eligible, including ready-to-drink (RTD) and alternative beverages.
Note: Roasted coffee is not eligible for the Best New Product award.
Each paid entry may include only one flavor or variety for judging.
Participation Eligibility
If you're part of the specialty coffee and tea industry and have a product (introduced to the marketplace after April 25, 2025) that's pushing boundaries, this is your chance to drive increased visibility. The showcase is open to exhibiting companies with a minimum 10’ x 10’ booth in the Exhibit Hall. Roaster Village exhibitors are not eligible to participate. Check out the rules, submission criteria, and judging process below.
Prizes and Recognition
The Best New Product Award is more than just an award. It's about celebrating innovation and introducing groundbreaking products that shape the future of specialty coffee and tea. The first round of judging is done prior to arriving onsite and live product pitches are done on the show floor at World of Coffee Best New Product Stage. Winners receive prestigious trophies and are announce LIVE on stage when the show opens on Sunday. Attendees and press are invited to watch as the best new products of 2026 are announced to the public. Winners receive a Trophy, Digital Award and a years worth on bragging rites.
Judging
SCA’s panel of experienced judges ensures fairness and excellence. They bring years of expertise and will rigorously evaluate each product based on specific criteria, ensuring the most deserving products get the spotlight they deserve.
Plus, there's the People’s Choice award, where every attendee at World of Coffee gets to cast their vote for their favorite product!
Each product is judged on a 1-5 scale (with 5 being best) on each of the following criteria:
Does the product provide enhanced functionality and additional user comfort, safety, or convenience over existing products?
Does the product or service create value for which customers will pay?
Does the product satisfy a specific need?
Is the product in line with consumer preferences?
Does this product improve/enhance the knowledge of the coffee community?
Does this product offer an appealing alternative to existing products in form, color, texture, or material?
Is there a clear sustainability message or value to the product or service?
Overall
Rules and Definitions
Must be an exhibitor in the Exhibit Hall with a minimum 10’ x 10’ booth, shared stands included. Roaster Village exhibitors are not eligible to participate in this competition.
Roasted Coffee is not eligible for Best New Product Competition.
Product must be new to your company and introduced into the marketplace no more than one year prior to application. (April 27, 2025)
Entry can be debuted at World of Coffee San Diego but must be available for sale to the industry and commercially available in the US by October 10, 2026.
Prototypes are not allowed.
Entries must be displayed in the exhibitor booth be available for demonstrate to the Judges.
SCA reserves the right to reclassify or decline an entry. Please note that, if less than three entries are received in a specific category, categories may be combined, or an entry may be reclassified.
Best New Product awards are at the discretion of independent judges and SCA.
All entrants will be displayed at the BNP display on the show floor. If product is too large flyers or sell sheets may represent the product..
Judging will take place prior to and onsite in San Diego. Onsite finalists will be notified after judging takes place.
All entries will be considered for the People’s Choice award whereby all attendees of World of Coffee will have a chance to vote digitally for their favorite Best New Product of 2026..
Entries will be judged on the criteria listed above.
Judges must have 5+ years of experience in coffee or related industry.
Each entry must pay the application fee of $500 or $1250 with media package.
