The National Confectioners Association (NCA) announced the recipients of the 2026 Golden and Silver Candy Dish Awards. Nancy Smith, national account manager at Premier Specialty, will receive the Golden Candy Dish Award, and Paul Bradley, sales director at Lindt & Sprüngli (USA), Inc., will be honored with the Silver Candy Dish Award. The 2026 Candy Dish Awards will be presented at NCA’s State of the Industry Conference in Orlando, FL. 

These awards celebrate individuals who have demonstrated exceptional ability to strengthen the connection between manufacturers, broker sales agents, and retail customers. And in a unique twist, this year’s honorees are a retail confectionery buyer-turned-broker and a confectionery broker-turned-manufacturer sales director, respectively. 

“The Candy Dish Awards celebrate the deep relationships and collaboration that define our industry,” says John Downs, president and CEO of the National Confectioners Association. “Nancy and Paul’s career paths epitomize that spirit, with each of them exemplifying the leadership, partnership, and dedication that drive progress across confectionery sales. Their commitment to strengthening connections between manufacturers and the broker community makes them truly outstanding honorees.”  

NCA also announced that a posthumous Silver Candy Dish Award will be presented to honor the life and industry contributions of Mark Schlott, the late CEO of R.M. Palmer Company. Schlott was described by many in the sales agent community as a “fiercely loyal” partner, a business leader who believed manufacturers and brokers were stronger together, and a creative force in developing solutions that benefited everyone, the org says. Schlott was also named the 2019 NCA Advocate of the Year. 

Nancy Smith: "a broker who stands apart"

With more than 15 years of experience in the confectionery industry,  Smith has reportedly built a reputation for thoughtful, people-first leadership, relationship-building, and dedication to growing the category. After a 25-year career in fashion apparel merchandising, she transitioned to confectionery, serving as a buyer at Sweet Factory Stores and later in a similar role for IT'SUGAR. Her strong relationships with brokers throughout her buying career paved the way for her successful transition to Premier Specialty, NCA says. 

“I’m deeply honored to receive the Golden Candy Dish Award,” Smith says. “This recognition belongs not only to me but to the entire broker community within the wonderful world of candy, whose hard work and passion help bring treats and snacks to consumers every day.” 

Smith’s career has spanned retail buying, merchandising, and broker leadership. In the past 15 years, she has supported brand growth, strengthened manufacturer partnerships, and championed collaboration across the industry. For Smith, confectionery has truly become a family affair, with her husband, three sons, and daughter-in-law joining her as taste testers and comparison shoppers over the years, NCA notes. She said she considers the NCA community and her candy industry colleagues to be extended family, as well.  

Paul Bradley: partner, coach, mentor

With more than two decades at Lindt & Sprüngli and deep roots in the CPG and broker communities, Bradley has led sales strategy across regional grocery, convenience, value, military, travel retail, and specialty channels. He also oversees Lindt & Sprüngli’s third-party merchandising partnerships and has played a central role in developing the sales team through formal mentoring and professional development efforts. 

“I’m surprised and humbled by the recognition, and I appreciate being nominated by our outstanding broker community,” Bradley says. “I’m grateful for the opportunities I’ve had across the industry and especially for the relationships, mentorship moments, and friendships that have shaped my career.” 

Before joining Lindt & Sprüngli more than 20 years ago, Bradley gained essential sales and CPG experience working for several brokers in the Southeast U.S. At Lindt & Sprüngli, he has reportedly driven customer-facing strategy, strengthened broker partnerships, and advanced team development initiatives across all major classes of trade. 

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