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
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Tuesday
Wednesday
9:00 am
GLOBAL MARKET: OCEANS OF OPPORTUNITY
Welcome address: Spanish market challenges and potential
Jesús Nuñez Sanchez, Director General – Water for Mahou San Miguel, Spain
9:15 am
GLOBAL MARKET: OCEANS OF OPPORTUNITY
Consumer tide towards wellness and functionality
Ananda Roy, Senior Vice President – Thought Leadership Europe for Circana
9:30 am
GLOBAL MARKET: OCEANS OF OPPORTUNITY
Shopping themes, contrasts and contradictions
Speaker to be announced
9:45 am
GLOBAL MARKET: OCEANS OF OPPORTUNITY
Accreditation for Sustainably Sourced Water
Gareth Jones, former Head of International for Icelandic Glacial, Iceland
10:00 am
GLOBAL MARKET: OCEANS OF OPPORTUNITY
Questions and discussion
10:15 am
SPONSOR SESSION
Sponsor presentation
10:30 am
NETWORKING BREAK
Hydration and networking break
11:15 am
SOCIETY CURRENTS: WINDS OF CHANGE
The Consumer Journey: Past Lessons, Future Signals
Constanza Flores, Global Marketing Vice President – Hydration Category for The
Coca-Cola Company, Ireland
11:30 am
SOCIETY CURRENTS: WINDS OF CHANGE
Developing a truly circular industry
Jeff Green, Global Strategy Director for Groupe Danone, France
11:45 am
SOCIETY CURRENTS: WINDS OF CHANGE
Tackling water scarcity
Speaker to be announced
12:00 pm
SOCIETY CURRENTS: WINDS OF CHANGE
Setting sail for sustainability
Larissa Ogera D’Otaviano, Corporate Sustainability Director for Valgroup, Brazil
12:15 pm
SOCIETY CURRENTS: WINDS OF CHANGE
Navigating the policy seas and staying on course
Patricia Fosselard, Secretary General of Natural Mineral Waters Europe, Belgium
12:30 pm
SOCIETY CURRENTS: WINDS OF CHANGE
Questions and discussion
12:45 pm
NETWORKING BREAK
Buffet lunch and networking
2:00 pm
NEW WAVES OF INNOVATION
Maison Perrier, Sanpellegrino Ciao! and beyond
Speaker to be announced
2:15 pm
NEW WAVES OF INNOVATION
Benchmarking for efficiency, AI backed planning
Speaker to be announced
2:30 pm
NEW WAVES OF INNOVATION
Zero, Plus, Vits and Kids
Speaker to be announced
2:45 pm
NEW WAVES OF INNOVATION
Scaling up to 5 litre sizes and more
Speaker to be announced
3:00 pm
NEW WAVES OF INNOVATION
Going with the Flow of functionality
Sabine Kloos, Chief Marketing Officer of Gerolsteiner, Germany
3:15 pm
NEW WAVES OF INNOVATION
Questions and discussion
3:30 pm
NETWORKING BREAK
Rehydration and networking break
4:00 pm
WORLD CRUISE – NOT TO BE MISSED
China: healthy hydration harmony
Speaker to be announced
4:15 pm
WORLD CRUISE – NOT TO BE MISSED
Middle East: creating a regional powerhouse
Speaker to be announced
4:30 pm
WORLD CRUISE – NOT TO BE MISSED
Europe: innovating for tomorrow’s consumer
Speaker to be announced
4:45 pm
WORLD CRUISE – NOT TO BE MISSED
Questions and discussion
5:30 pm
Close
7:00 pm
GLOBAL WATER DRINKS AWARDS
Networking drinks reception
7:30 pm
GLOBAL WATER DRINKS AWARDS
Gala Industry Dinner
9:30 pm
GLOBAL WATER DRINKS AWARDS
Presentation of 2026 Global Water Drinks Awards
10:00 pm
Close
Thursday
9:00 am
UNITED STATES: SURFING THE BIGGEST WAVES
Multiplying powdered hydration
Speaker to be announced
9:15 am
UNITED STATES: SURFING THE BIGGEST WAVES
Buoyant prospects for healthier refreshment
Speaker to be announced
9:30 am
UNITED STATES: SURFING THE BIGGEST WAVES
Probiotics with push cap plus caffeine
Speaker to be announced
9:45 am
UNITED STATES: SURFING THE BIGGEST WAVES
Green hydration beyond the bottle
Matt Levine, Founder of Chlorophyll Water
10:00 am
UNITED STATES: SURFING THE BIGGEST WAVES
Panel discussion led by
Neil Kimberley, Chief Commercial Officer of Electrolit USA
10:30 am
NETWORKING BREAK
Hydration and networking break
11:00 am
SOURCES OF INSPIRATION
Mountain water with ultra carbonation
Speaker to be announced
11:15 am
SOURCES OF INSPIRATION
Water with infused zinc and copper
Speaker to be announced
11:30 am
SOURCES OF INSPIRATION
Bag in box initiative
Speaker to be announced
11:45 am
SOURCES OF INSPIRATION
Formosa Springs back to the future
Nicholas Reichenbach, Owner and Chief Executive Officer of Formosa Springs,
Canada
12:00 pm
SOURCES OF INSPIRATION
Questions and discussion
12:30 pm
NETWORKING BREAK
Buffet lunch and networking
1:30 pm
Close