The Drinks Association is excited to announce that submissions are now open for the 2026 Contribution to Industry Awards. The winners will be revealed at the 2026 Australian Drinks Awards on Thursday, 23 July 2026, at Sofitel Sydney Wentworth.
The Contribution to Industry Awards remain a cornerstone of the program, celebrating the organisations and initiatives leading the way on the issues that matter most to our industry.
Georgia Lennon, CEO of the Drinks Association, said:
"Year after year, the Contribution to Industry Awards remind us of the remarkable work happening right across our industry. From bold inclusion programs to transformative wellbeing initiatives and genuine environmental leadership, the bar keeps rising and we couldn't be prouder to celebrate that progress.”
Contribution to Industry Awards 2026
The award categories for 2026 will remain the same as in 2025.
Best Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Initiative
This award celebrates initiatives that drive meaningful change for diverse or marginalised groups within an organisation or the broader community. Entries are assessed on their impact, thoughtfulness of design and evidence of genuine organisational commitment, including demonstrated and ongoing progress on gender equality.
2025 winner: Asahi Beverages for HerWorkplace, a co-designed initiative developed with more than 70 women across frontline supply chain sites in Australia and New Zealand. The program delivered practical, everyday inclusion improvements – from purpose-built facilities and female-specific uniforms to open workplace conversations about menstruation and menopause – setting a new benchmark for inclusion in operational environments.
Best Wellbeing Initiative
This category honours initiatives that embed a genuine culture of health and wellbeing throughout the workforce, with clear links to broader organisational strategy and measurable outcomes for employees at every level.
2025 winner: Asahi Beverages for their Safety & Wellbeing culture program, a co-created initiative built by 80 employees and backed by strong executive leadership. The program achieved a 35% reduction in Total Recordable Injury Frequency Rate and a four-point improvement in Asahi's Safety Culture Index, with results significant enough to see the initiative adopted globally by Asahi Group Holdings in Japan.
Best Environmental Sustainability Initiative
Co-created with the Drinks Association's Sustainability Council, this award recognises initiatives that make a tangible difference to environmental outcomes, inspire action across the value chain and demonstrate that commercial success and sustainability can go hand in hand.
2025 winner: Australian Vintage for the Nepenthe Elevation Vine to Glass initiative, which brought together Sustainable Winegrowing Australia-certified vineyards, first-to-market tearaway aluminium bottle caps, lighter-weight packaging and a consumer education campaign that reached more than 11 million Australians. The initiative stood out for its compelling end-to-end approach to sustainability, from grower to shelf.
How to submit your entry
Entries for the 2026 Contribution to Industry Awards are now open to Drinks Association members and will close on 29 May 2026.
Award criteria and submission documentation can be obtained by emailing awards@drinks.asn.au.
A panel of industry leaders, including representatives from the Drinks Association Board, member companies and experts in diversity and inclusion, sustainability and employee wellbeing, will assess all entries.
With the 2026 awards now open, we look forward to recognising the outstanding efforts of organisations across the drinks industry. If you have any questions, please reach out to awards@drinks.asn.au.