Global Water Drinks Congress 2026
Event Programme
Designed for industry leaders, suppliers, customers and advisers, this 23rd annual Congress will provide a complete overview of the latest market trends, innovations and issues alongside networking opportunities with key industry figures. Insights will be shared by leading international and regional businesses on the latest market and strategic developments, as well as by innovators and entrepreneurs bringing new ideas and taking up new challenges.
Discover this years speakers
Thursday
10:00 am
UNITED STATES: SURFING THE BIGGEST WAVES
Expanding the water category… and adding value
Matt Herrick, President and Chief Executive Officer of International Bottled Water Association
10:15 am
UNITED STATES: SURFING THE BIGGEST WAVES
Formosa Springs back to the future
Nicholas Reichenbach, Owner and Chief Executive Officer of Formosa Springs,
Canada
10:30 am
UNITED STATES: SURFING THE BIGGEST WAVES
Green hydration beyond the bottle
Matt Levine, Founder of Chlorophyll Water
10:45 am
UNITED STATES: SURFING THE BIGGEST WAVES
Panel discussion led by
Neil Kimberley, Chief Commercial Officer of Electrolit USA
11:15 am
NETWORKING BREAK
Hydration and networking break
12:00 pm
SOURCES OF INSPIRATION
Ocean52: Beyond sustainability by sharing 52% of profits
Santi Mier, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Ocean52, Spain
12:15 pm
SOURCES OF INSPIRATION
Taking clear whey protein waters into their next phase of growth
Nick Morgan, Managing Director of Nutrition Integrated, United Kingdom
12:30 pm
SOURCES OF INSPIRATION
Calm Water: Stress and anxiety relief
Mark Curry, Founder of Savvy Beverage, Australia
12:45 pm
SOURCES OF INSPIRATION
Aqua Glow: Sparkling collagen drink
Jamie Gripton, Co-founder and Chief Glow Officer of Aqua Glow, United Kingdom
1:00 pm
SOURCES OF INSPIRATION
Questions and discussion
1:30 pm
NETWORKING BREAK
Buffet lunch and networking
2:30 pm
Close
Wednesday
10:00 am
GLOBAL MARKET: OCEANS OF OPPORTUNITY
Welcome address: Spanish market challenges and potential
Jesús Nuñez Sanchez, Director General – Water for Mahou San Miguel, Spain
10:15 am
GLOBAL MARKET: OCEANS OF OPPORTUNITY
Consumer tide towards wellness and functionality
Ananda Roy, Senior Vice President – Thought Leadership Europe for Circana
10:30 am
GLOBAL MARKET: OCEANS OF OPPORTUNITY
Shopping themes, contrasts and contradictions
Juliette de Nettancourt, Global Consumer Insight Director for Europanel
10:45 am
GLOBAL MARKET: OCEANS OF OPPORTUNITY
Accreditation for Sustainably Sourced Water
Gareth Jones, former Head of International for Icelandic Glacial, Iceland
11:00 am
GLOBAL MARKET: OCEANS OF OPPORTUNITY
Questions and discussion
11:20 am
SPONSOR SESSION
Sponsor presentation: 70 years of packaging innovation – shaping a more sustainable future
Giacomo Loreto, Third Generation Member & Sales Manager at Cielle Imballaggi, Italy
11:30 am
NETWORKING BREAK
Hydration and networking break
12:15 pm
SOCIETY CURRENTS: WINDS OF CHANGE
Innovating for tomorrow’s consumer
Alessandro Pasquale, Owner and Chief Executive Officer of Mattoni 1873, Czech
Republic
12:30 pm
SOCIETY CURRENTS: WINDS OF CHANGE
Developing a truly circular industry
Jeff Green, Global Strategy Director for Groupe Danone, France
12:45 pm
SOCIETY CURRENTS: WINDS OF CHANGE
Healthy hydration as a public policy priority
Speaker to be announced
1:00 pm
SOCIETY CURRENTS: WINDS OF CHANGE
Setting sail for sustainability
Larissa Ogera D’Otaviano, Corporate Sustainability Director for Valgroup, Brazil
1:15 pm
SOCIETY CURRENTS: WINDS OF CHANGE
Navigating the policy seas and staying on course
Patricia Fosselard, Secretary General of Natural Mineral Waters Europe, Belgium
1:30 pm
SOCIETY CURRENTS: WINDS OF CHANGE
Questions and discussion
1:50 pm
NETWORKING BREAK
Buffet lunch and networking
3:00 pm
NEW WAVES OF INNOVATION
Benchmarking for efficiency, AI backed planning
Miguel Flores, Vice President – International for Niagara Bottling, Mexico
3:15 pm
NEW WAVES OF INNOVATION
Enhancing water’s daily relevance
Alexander van ’t Riet
Partner of LeNoble Management Consultancy, United Arab Emirates
3:30 pm
NEW WAVES OF INNOVATION
Going with the flow of functionality
Sabine Kloos, Chief Marketing Officer of Gerolsteiner, Germany
3:45 pm
NEW WAVES OF INNOVATION
Questions and discussion
4:05 pm
NEW WAVES OF INNOVATION
Sponsor presentation: Cost optimisation and sustainability in an uncertain world
Iacopo Bianconcini, Marketing & Product Development Manager for Sacmi, Italy
4:15 pm
NETWORKING BREAK
Rehydration and networking break
4:45 pm
WORLD CRUISE
Europe/Middle East: Innovating for tomorrow’s consumer
Afnan Ahsan, Group Chief Executive Officer of IDS Borjomi, United Arab Emirates
5:00 pm
WORLD CRUISE
India: Premium promise and everyday affordability
Rahul Narang, Founder, Chairman and Managing Director of The Narang Group – Ocean Beverages, India
5:15 pm
WORLD CRUISE
India: Consumer culture and quick commerce
Kaushik Sundarajan, Co-founder of DISRPTVE Communications, India
5:30 pm
WORLD CRUISE
Questions and discussion
5:45 pm
WORLD CRUISE
Judging the awards: Brand identity, innovation and endurance
Pat Eckert, Water Sommelier, Global Water Drinks Awards judge and Founder of Fine Liquids, Germany
6:00 pm
WORLD CRUISE
Close
8:00 pm
GLOBAL WATER DRINKS AWARDS
Networking drinks reception
8:30 pm
GLOBAL WATER DRINKS AWARDS
Gala Industry Dinner
10:30 pm
GLOBAL WATER DRINKS AWARDS
Presentation of 2026 Global Water Drinks Awards
11:00 pm
GLOBAL WATER DRINKS AWARDS
Close
Tuesday
7:00 pm
WELCOME RECEPTION
Networking Drinks Reception
9:00 pm
WELCOME RECEPTION
Close