Drinking in Dubai: The Global Bottled Water Conference and Awards

I have had the privilege of being associated with the Global Bottled Water Congress and Awards for several years, as a professional judge on the awards panel. With each passing year the Congress and Awards keep expanding, growing and reaching new consumers and trade. Nearly 300 people gathered to learn, network and better understand the global bottled water industry.

For 2019 the Conference and Awards were held in Dubai, which at first glance might seem an unlikely location for a water conference. “Dubai was an ideal location because it is at the heart of the Gulf region,” Richard Hall, Chairman of global food and drink experts, Zenith Global, which organizes the annual the Congress and Awards told me. “It’s also convenient for Asia and Africa as well as Europe and offers outstanding hospitality. It’s an important market and we were invited to visit two superb new $150 million plus product facilities, which offered very rare opportunity indeed.” Hall said.

As proof that the Zenith Congress is the single most important annual water conference, a list of the speakers confirm that. “It’s the strongest program we have ever assembled,” Hall told me. Speakers from the five largest bottled water companies presented their unique insights including Nestlé Waters Chief Executive Officer Maurizio Paternello. Also on stage were Groupe Danone Executive Vice President – Waters and Africa, Henri Bruxelles; Tim Brett, President of Coca-Cola Europe; PepsiCo Global Foods President and Chief Marketing Officer, Simon Lowden; and Niagara Bottling’s Executive Vice President – International, Rali Sanderson. Their messages were clear: the industry faces challenges but if those challenges are properly addressed, there is still significant growth potential, in spite of media bias and consolidation within the industry.

Awards were presented in15 categories including Best Technology Innovation, Best Packaging /Design, Best CSR Initiative (Corporate Social Responsibility) and others were award after the conference and during a special dinner. If you are in the industry or are considering getting into the bottled water industry, these annual conferences are highly recommended.

Zenith Global

The Winners


Best Natural Still Water

Cedea Srl – Dolomites’ Luxury Mineral Water

Best Natural Sparkling Water

Lofoten Arctic Water AS – Lofoten Arctic Sparkling

Water Best Flavored Water

1) Danone – Font Vella Levité Limón Zero

2) Flow Alkaline Spring Water – Flow organic cucumber + mint flavoured water 


Best Functional Water

WET Group (Beverages) – WECAN Alkaline CBD

Water Best Can

IDS Borjomi International – Borjomi The Best Festive Design

Best Carton

Stiftsquelle – LANDPARK BIO-QUELLE

Best Glass

Cedea Srl – Cedea Luxury Mineral Water

Best PET

Carpathian Spring – AQUA Carpatica

Best Packaging/Label Design

Cedea Srl – Dolomites’ Luxury Mineral Water

Best Cap/Closure

Lofoten Arctic Water AS – Lofoten Arctic Sparkling Water


Best Marketing/Social Media Campaign

JUST Goods – JUST Water Australia Launch


Best Corporate Social Resonsibility Initiative

1) Sociedade Águas Vumba, SA – Vumba Mountain Reforestation Project

2) Thunderbird Spirit Water – Thunderbird Spirit Water 


Best Technology Innovation

Birštono Mineraliniai Vandenys – Eco Pack by Akvile

Best New Brand/Brand Extension

Flow Alkaline Spring Water

Best New Water Concept

1) AQUAGEN Europe BV – AQUAGEN Deep Ocean Sparkling Water

2) Knajz Miloš – Aqua Viva Vitamin