(CHICAGO) October 8, 2014 – NAMA announced today that John Conti, founder of the john conti® Coffee Company in Louisville, KY, has been voted NAMA’s Coffee Legend 2014.
“A NAMA Coffee Legend is a pioneer, an innovator, a leader and a visionary in the industry. They are passionate about coffee and are willing to share that passion to educate and help others succeed. One winner is chosen each year by NAMA’s Coffee Service Committee,” said Dean Gilland, NAMA’s Vice President of Sales and Coffee Service.
Conti started his business in 1962 with a single cigarette vending machine, and his early years were marked by working out of his garage and making deliveries in his 1949 Chevrolet. Fifty-two years later, the john conti Coffee Co. has grown immensely to become the region’s largest roaster of specialty high-grown arabica coffee, serving customers in 11 states.
Today, the company roasts more than 1.5 million pounds of coffee annually and serves more than one million cups of coffee every day. Conti’s business has expanded its service over the years to include premium tea and water products as well.
Conti says that his company was built on three goals, “To have the best people, products and service.” He developed the Conti College of Coffee Knowledge, which all new hires must attend, and says it has truly paid off, making his staff “the reason for my success.”
“John is an excellent choice for this year’s Coffee Legend award,” said Dean Gilland, NAMA’s Vice President of Sales and Coffee Service. “He embodies all the pillars of this award and has made tremendous contributions to this industry during his exceptional career.”
“We would also like to congratulate John on his retirement and the sale of his business to Canteen. We wish him all the very best in this new chapter of his life,” Gilland continued.
Conti and his company have received numerous accolades over the years, including being named “Operator of the Year” in 1985 by the National Coffee Service Association (NCSA) and “The Best Coffee in Louisville” award presented by Louisville Magazine. Conti was also inducted into the “Coffee Hall of Fame” in 2003. An active member of the coffee industry, he served as chairman of the NCSA from 1976-1978, prior to its merge into NAMA.
“I am humbled and honored to be included into such a distinguished group of entrepreneurs,” Conti said of the Coffee Legend Award. “I am grateful for the opportunity that I have had in working with some of the best in the business. My life has been enriched by the people I have met working in the vending and coffee fields, and will be eternally thankful for the knowledge and opportunities that this industry has blessed me with.”
Conti will receive the Coffee Legend award at CTW, November 11-13, at the Hyatt Regency Dallas in Dallas, Texas. The award will be presented by CTW co-chairs Pete Tullio and Howard Fischer.
Matching the energy of its host city, this year’s CTW will blend Texas flair and southern hospitality with a fresh new look and feel in one big, bold package -- register at www.coffeeteaandwater.org.
Founded in 1936, NAMA is the association representing the $42 billion U.S. vending and refreshment service industry. With more than 1800 member companies – including many of the world’s most recognized brands – NAMA provides advocacy, education and research for its membership. Visit NAMA on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.
