National Cleaners Association Named Finalist in 2026 Stevie® Awards for Women in Business

NCA recognized for:
“Transforming Member Value Through AI and Operational Innovation”

The National Cleaners Association (NCA) has been named a Finalist in the 23rd annual Stevie® Awards for Women in Business, receiving international recognition for its work “Transforming Member Value Through AI and Operational Innovation.”

NCA is one of 15 Finalists in the Organization of the Year – Government or Non-Profit – 10 or Less Employees category.

More than 1,500 nominations from organizations and individuals in 56 nations and territories were submitted to the 2026 Stevie Awards for Women in Business.

For an association that has served the professional garment-care industry for more than 80 years, the recognition reflects an important evolution: combining decades of industry expertise and human relationships with AI, automation, analytics, business intelligence and operational support to create greater value for members.

Why was the National Cleaners Association named a Stevie Awards Finalist?

NCA was recognized for its nomination, “National Cleaners Association: Transforming Member Value Through AI and Operational Innovation.”

According to NCA's official notification from the Stevie Awards, the nomination became a Finalist because of the high average scores it received from independent judges, who determined that the work was worthy of international recognition.

The recognition reflects NCA's effort to modernize how an industry association supports independent professional cleaners while preserving the expertise, education, advocacy and relationships that have defined the organization for more than 80 years.

What does “Transforming Member Value” mean at NCA?

For NCA, transforming member value means moving beyond simply providing information toward helping members put information into action.

Professional garment-care business owners manage increasingly complex operations involving labor, production, customer service, claims, regulations, training, marketing, technology and financial decisions.

Information alone does not always solve those problems.

NCA is developing ways to combine traditional industry expertise with modern technology so members can more easily access knowledge, understand what it means for their businesses and determine what action to take next.

The goal is not more technology.

The goal is better member outcomes.

How is NCA using artificial intelligence?

NCA's approach begins with the business problem rather than the technology.

The association asks where members are struggling, where important knowledge is difficult to access, where repetitive work consumes unnecessary time and where better information could improve decision-making.

AI, automation, analytics, education or human expertise can then be applied where appropriate.

As NCA Executive Director and Chief AI Officer Dawn Hargrove-Avery explains:

“AI was never the goal. Better member outcomes are the goal.”

This approach is also designed to make sophisticated capabilities more accessible to independent businesses that may not have large technology teams, analysts or operational departments.

Is NCA replacing human expertise with AI?

No. NCA's approach is designed to amplify human expertise rather than replace it.

Some of the most valuable knowledge in professional garment care comes from decades of experience. Cleaners, instructors, manufacturers, technical experts and other industry professionals often possess knowledge that cannot easily be found through a traditional search.

Technology can help capture, organize, connect and make that knowledge more accessible.

“The future isn't AI instead of people,” Hargrove-Avery said. “It's experienced people with better tools.”

Human judgment, relationships, experience and accountability remain central to NCA's model.

What Stevie Awards category is NCA a Finalist in?

NCA is a 2026 Finalist in:

Organization of the Year – Government or Non-Profit – 10 or Less Employees

There are 15 Finalists in the category, representing organizations from several countries around the world.

NCA's recognized nomination is:

“National Cleaners Association: Transforming Member Value Through AI and Operational Innovation.”

How competitive are the 2026 Stevie Awards for Women in Business?

The Stevie Awards' official 2026 materials state that more than 1,500 nominations from organizations and individuals in 56 nations and territories were submitted for consideration.

Gold, Silver and Bronze Finalists were determined based on average scores from more than 200 business professionals worldwide serving across seven judging committees.

NCA's official notification specifically states that its nomination became a Finalist because of the high average scores it received from the judges.

Did NCA win a Gold, Silver or Bronze Stevie Award?

That has not yet been revealed.

As a Finalist, NCA will ultimately receive a Gold, Silver or Bronze Stevie Award. The final placement is being kept confidential until the 2026 Stevie Awards for Women in Business gala in New York City on November 16, 2026.

The awards ceremony will take place at the Marriott Marquis Hotel, with more than 400 women and their guests from around the world expected to attend.

Who led NCA's AI and operational transformation?

NCA's transformation has been led by Dawn Hargrove-Avery, Executive Director and Chief AI Officer of the National Cleaners Association.

The Stevie recognition belongs to the National Cleaners Association, while Hargrove-Avery has led the organizational strategy and development behind the transformation recognized in the nomination.

Her approach centers on using AI and emerging technology to expand what a small association can deliver while keeping human expertise and member relationships at the center.

What does this recognition mean for the professional garment-care industry?

The recognition demonstrates that innovation is not limited to technology companies or large corporations.

A longstanding trade association serving a traditional industry can combine institutional knowledge, modern technology and human expertise to rethink how it delivers value.

For NCA, the recognition is not the end of that transformation.

It is validation of the direction.

After more than 80 years of serving professional cleaners, NCA continues to evolve around the same fundamental question:

What will our members need next, and how can we help them get there?

80+ Years of Industry Experience. Built for What Comes Next.