Global Water Drinks Awards 2024

Events
Global Water Drinks Awards 2024

Global Water Drinks Awards 2024

28th May-27th Sep

Entry closure 27th September 2024

The industry's only Global Water Drinks Awards celebrate excellence and innovation across every category of the water drinks industry worldwide. The awards are a great way to enhance your brand and ensure your product, concept or campaign is recognised on an international scale. The awards will open from May 2024 until September 2024. Winners will be announced at Zenith Global's 21st Global Water Drinks Congress.

Details
Entry criteria
Sponsorship
The Judges
2024 Winners
2024 Finalists

Details

Our guide below should provide you with all the information you need about the Global Water Drinks Awards 2024. You can also download the award guidelines here.

Please note, all entries must be received by the extended entry deadline of Friday, 27 September 2024.

If you have any queries, please contact us on t +44 (0)1225 327900 e awards@zenithglobal.com

What are the categories?

Best Natural Still Water
Best Natural Sparkling Water
Best Flavoured Water
Best Functional Water
Best New Brand
Best Brand Extension
Best New Water Concept
Best in Can
Best in Carton
Best in Glass
Best in PET
Best Packaging/Label Design
Best Dispense Innovation
Best Technology Innovation
Best Marketing/Social Media Campaign
Best CSR Initiative

Products can be entered into multiple categories.

If you enter 3 categories, the 4th entry is free.

Why should I enter?

Benefit from leading industry media
Enjoy year-round exposure
Dedicated announcement of your success on our social media platforms
Attract validation for present and potential future investors
Comprehensive communications kit complete with press release; logos to use on packaging, website or email signatures; certificate; and a trophy for winners!
Presentation of your shortlisted product at a special awards ceremony during Zenith Global's 21st Global Water Drinks Congress in Frankfurt, attended by senior industry managers, suppliers, retailers, advisers and trade press.

How much does it cost to enter?

A discounted early entry rate of £195 + VAT per category is available until Friday 26 July. Entry after this time is priced at £225 + VAT per category.

If you enter 3 categories, the 4th entry is free!

Entries can be registered at any time, with submissions required by the extended entry deadline of Friday 27 September.

How do I enter?

There are two stages to the entry process.

1. Register your entries: Simply click 'Enter Now', and select the categories and products you wish to enter and then fill out your personal details.

2. Prepare your submissions: Once we have received your application and payment, a member of the awards team will be in touch to support you on your submission for the awards, due by Friday 20 September.

In each category, you are required to submit the following:

A 200-word description of why your product deserves to win*
Two high-resolution product images
Company logo
Samples are required for select categories**

*For the categories 'Best Marketing/Social Media Campaign' and 'Best CSR Initiative' you are invited to send an additional 1-page document to include any video content or imagery relating to the entry.

**Product samples are required in the following categories: Best Natural Still Water, Best Natural Sparkling Water, Best Flavoured Water and Best Functional Water.

Download the complete award entry guidelines here.

When will the finalists be announced?

Once all judges have submitted their feedback and scores, all points will be counted and verified.

A press release will be released announcing the finalists. All entrants and finalists will be notified by mid October.

Where will the winners be announced?

The awards ceremony will take place on 29 October 2024 at a gala industry dinner during Zenith Global's 21st Global Water Drinks Congress in Frankfurt, Germany.

While we would be very pleased to see you there, attending is not a condition of entering the awards.

How do I contact you?

If you have a query about the awards, get in touch!

t +44 (0)1225 32900 e awards@zenithglobal.com

20231128 Zenith Gleneagles Evening Mingles Meals and Awards 161

20231128 Zenith Gleneagles Evening Mingles Meals and Awards 157

20231128 Zenith Gleneagles Evening Mingles Meals and Awards 155

20231128 Zenith Gleneagles Evening Mingles Meals and Awards 156

20231128 Zenith Gleneagles Evening Mingles Meals and Awards 154

20231128 Zenith Gleneagles Evening Mingles Meals and Awards 140

Entry criteria

We are delighted that you are planning to enter the 2024 Global Water Drinks Awards.

Below are some entry instructions and guidelines to help you maximise your chances of winning, by ensuring you submit the correct information regarding your product, campaign, initiative or innovation. Download the full entry guidelines here.

All products entered must have been launched/created/re-branded from January 2022 onwards. If you have a product that is not yet in the market, it can still be entered as long as they are in their prototype/packaging/ stage by the closing date of this awards scheme.

Best Natural Still Water (samples required)

Judged on:

Design/appearance
Flavour
Mouthfeel
Brand appeal relevant to target audience

Best Natural Sparkling Water (samples required)

Judged on:

Design/appearance
Flavour
Mouthfeel
Brand appeal relevant to target audience

Best Flavoured Water (samples required)

Judged on:

Design/appearance
Flavour(s)
Ingredients
Mouthfeel
Brand appeal relevant to target audience

Best Functional Water (samples required)

Judged on:

Design/appearance
Flavour(s) (if applicable)
Ingredients
Functionality
Communication of functionality
Brand appeal relevant to target audience

Best New Brand

Judged on:

Design/appearance
Innovation and uniqueness of concept
Market impact
Flavours and functionality (if applicable)
Brand appeal relevant to target audience

Best Brand Extension

Judged on:

Design/appearance
How the product ties into to the original product/or product range
Innovation and uniqueness of concept
Flavours and functionality (if applicable)
Market impact
Brand appeal relevant to target audience

Best New Water Concept

Judged on:

Design/appearance
Innovation and uniqueness of product
Differentiation of product
Market impact
Brand appeal relevant to target audience

Best in Can, Carton, Glass and PET

Judged on:

Design/appearance (and functionality of design)
Product/initiative differentiation
On-pack communication and branding
How the packaging type meets the needs of target audience
Market impact
Recyclability and environmental impact

Best Packaging/Label Design

Judged on:

Design/appearance including functionality of design
Product/initiative differentiation
On-pack communication and branding
Innovation and uniqueness of packaging/label design
Brand appeal relevant to target audience
Market impact
Recyclability and environmental impact

Best Dispense Innovation

Water dispense innovations that save time or money in beverage production, and change the way in which customers access and consume beverages.

Judged on:

Innovation and uniqueness of concept
Degree of improvement from previous technology (if applicable)
Impact on cost-saving, efficiency, environmental impact, improvement to process, and application to wider industry (if applicable)
Brand appeal relevant to target audience
Impact to consumer experience (if applicable)

Best Technology Innovation

Technology innovation relating to the production, manufacturing or distribution of packaged water drinks. This includes new technologies that have a positive impact on cost-saving or environmental impact in the manufacturing/distribution of products, technologies which change the way in which customers access and consume products, and advancements in product/packaging formulation.

Judged on:

Innovation and uniqueness of innovation
Impact to consumer experience (as applicable)
Impact on cost-saving, efficiency, environmental impact, improvement to process, and application to wider industry (as applicable)
Brand appeal to the relevant target audience.

Best Marketing/Social Media Campaign*

Judged on:

Innovation and originality of concept
Conceptualisation and execution of campaign
Market impact/response (judged in proportion to budget spent)

*In addition to the 200-word description and product images, you are invited to send a one-page document of additional video content and imagery to help illustrate your marketing message.

Best CSR Initiative*

Social, community and environmentally-focused corporate responsibility campaigns and initiatives. Entries can be internally or externally oriented, local or international.

Judged on:

Details of the initiative
Evidence of sincerity and commitment to the initiative
Changes made relative to efforts/money invested in the initiative
Social impact

*In addition to the 200-word description and product images, you are invited to send a one-page document of additional video content and imagery.

For any questions or queries regarding the awards, please contact awards@zenithglobal.com.

The Judges

Michael Cervin

Senior Editor of BottledWaterWeb.com

Michael Cervin has been the Senior Editor of BottledWaterWeb.com for thirteen years, writing about every aspect of the bottled water industry.

He is the author of “Our World of Water: The Good, the Bad & and the Ugly of Earth’s Most Critical Resource,” and his own water blog, This World of Water. His second book on water, “The Architecture of H20: True Stories of Weird, Wonderful & Wild Water,” will be released later this year.

Michael has been both water judge and watermaster at the Berkeley Springs International Water Tasting for over a decade, and was invited by the Chinese government to participate in the Golden Headwater Protection Summit in Beijing, where he conducted water tastings for 80 Chinese media. He has also been a judge and presenter at the Global Bottled Water Awards in Prague.

He has appeared on TV and in print as a water authority including Fox News Health, OT Television, The Tasting Panel, Draft, Food & Beverage World, Planet Experts, Water Quality Products Magazine, and many others.

More Close

Rachel Arthur

Editor of BeverageDaily.com (William Reed)

Rachel is a business to business journalist for BeverageDaily.com. She covers both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverage sectors. Her key skills include features writing, video filming/editing and sub-editing.

Neil Kimberley

Independent Consultant, Former Chief Strategy Officer of Essentia Water

Neil Kimberley is expert, who has been swimming with the beverage industry sharks over the past two decades.

His background includes roles in Executive Management, Sales, Marketing, and Strategy at beverage companies of varying sizes, and a variety of beverage categories.
Over the past 20 years, Neil’s work has included the rebirth of Snapple in the late 90s, the development of what is now the KDP distribution system, exploration of Protein beverages, and the growth of Essentia Water from being a niche health food to becoming a mainstream Premium Water – and the brand’s sale to Nestle in 2021. He has recently been involved with the start-up of a new Sparkling Water brand and is currently advising other beverage brands, big and small.

More Close

Joe Doss

President and CEO International Bottled Water Association

Joe Doss has served as President and CEO of the International Bottled Water Association (IBWA) since 1999.

He has extensive experience in association management and food and drug, government affairs, public relations, and legal issues. He has a proven track record of strategic thinking and planning, managing complex and controversial issues, and building consensus among small, medium, and large companies.

Joe has a B.A. in government from The College of William and Mary and a J.D. from George Mason University School of Law. He has completed an executive management course at the Center for Creative Leadership. Joe is a member of the Bar in Virginia and the District of Columbia. He serves on the Board of Directors at the International Council of Bottled Water Associations and is a member of the Food and Drug Law Institute and the American Bar Association.

More Close

Ruriko Suzuki

Director of the Japan Aqua Sommelier Association

Ruriko Suzuki has been playing an important role in the Japanese water sommelier community since she was certified as an aqua sommelier in Japan in 2008.

Since 2008, she has been an instructor at Aquademia, a school dedicated to training aqua sommeliers.
Currently, while teaching, she serves as a director of the Japan Aqua Sommelier Association and is involved in the association's management to promote water culture.
Her expertise on how to choose and drink water has earned her numerous interviews on television, radio, and in magazines.

Ruriko's career began on the journalism side as an NHK anchor and director. As she covered such stories as "Water Issues Around the World," her passion for water grew.
Her passion for water grew, and she moved on to manage an e-commerce site specializing in bottled water. Later, she became the manager of the online shop and physical store of Aqua Store, a Japanese water trading company specializing in bottled water from overseas.

Influenced by Michael Mascha's water pairing philosophy at FINEWATERS and the Fine Water Academy in the US,
She is certified as a water sommelier.
Through the Fine Liquids Community, an international water sommelier network,
collaborating with other water sommeliers and experts to emphasize to consumers that water is not just a basic necessity, but a nuanced element worth exploring and enjoying; and
showcasing some of the best waters from around the world.

To further her knowledge of beverage pairings, she is certified as a wine expert, the equivalent of a wine sommelier, by the Japan Sommelier Association (J.W.S.).

More Close

Arthur von Wiesenberger

Food & Beverage Consultant, Author & Broadcaster

Arthur von Wiesenberger has built a distinguished career around his passions for food, beverages, travel, and animal welfare.

Born in New York, he pursued a global education, studying at Aiglon College in Villars, Switzerland, Davies in London, and Brooks Institute in Santa Barbara.
Arthur's expertise in fine beverages is well-recognized, with prestigious honors such as the Diplome d'Honneur from the Corporation des Vignerons de Champagne in France and the title of Chevalier of the Chapitre de la Fleur de Vigne de l'Ordre des Coteaux de Champagne.

In 2008, Arthur's radio and television program, "Around The World" (atw.tv), won the International Restaurant and Hotel Award (IRHA), demonstrating his excellence in broadcasting. His syndicated TV series, "AnimalZone" (animalzone.org), has consistently garnered awards, including Best Documentary at the Ponza Film Awards in Italy, accolades from the Accolade Global Film Competition, Nature Without Borders International Film Festival, Movie Play, and The Telly Awards.

Arthur is also an accomplished author, particularly known for his work on bottled water. His books, such as "OASIS: THE COMPLETE GUIDE TO BOTTLED WATER" (Capra Press, 1978), "H2O: THE GUIDE TO QUALITY BOTTLED WATER" (Woodbridge Press, 1988), THE POCKET GUIDE TO BOTTLED WATER (Contemporary Books 1991) and "THE TASTE OF WATER" (Best Cellar Books, 1995), have significantly contributed to the appreciation of this essential beverage. His website, BottledWaterWeb.com, was recognized as Popular Mechanics’ "Website of The Month" and remains a leading platform in the bottled water industry. Additionally, he has written numerous restaurant guides highlighting Santa Barbara's culinary scene and hosts the Santa Barbara restaurant and food site, Nippers.com.

Arthur has contributed prolifically to magazines and newspapers worldwide. As the food and wine editor for SANTA BARBARA MAGAZINE and co-Publisher of the SANTA BARBARA NEWS-PRESS from 2006 to 2023, he has been instrumental in shaping the region's culinary narrative.

A seasoned speaker, Arthur has shared his expertise at events such as The Whole Life Expo in Pasadena, the Mountain Valley Spring Water Annual Distributors Convention, The California Bottled Water Association, Wine America in New York, and the Golden Headwaters Summit Conference in Beijing, China, in 2011.

Notably, Arthur has served as the Watermaster at The Berkeley Springs International Water Tasting since 1990, underscoring his dedication to promoting quality in the beverage industry.
As a Past-President of The International Food, Wine, and Travel Writers Association, Arthur von Wiesenberger continues to be a driving force in gastronomy, sharing his extensive knowledge and passion with audiences worldwide.

More Close

2024 Finalists

The finalists for the 2024 Global Water Drinks Awards have been published today. The winners will be announced at an awards ceremony on Tuesday 29 October, during the 21st Global Water Drinks Congress in Frankfurt, Germany.

Organised by food and drink experts Zenith Global, the Global Water Drinks Awards are designed to celebrate excellence and innovation across all sectors of the global packaged water industry. In its 10th year, entries were reviewed across 15 award categories, by the eminent panel of independent judges, to select this year’s finalists and winners.

The Finalists

Best Natural Still Water

AHB GROUP S.A. - THEONI Natural Mineral Water
EIRA Water – EIRA Still Water
FINE LIQUIDS – AQA FINELLI naturell
Icelandic Glacial – Icelandic Glacial Natural Spring Water
LOFOTEN ARCTIC WATER AS – Lofoten Arctic Water Still Water
Splendor Water – Splendor Water

Best Natural Sparkling Water

AHB GROUP S.A. – THEONI Natural Mineral Sparkling Water
EIRA Water – EIRA Sparkling Water
FINE LIQUIDS – AQA FINELLI gentle fizz
Flow Water – Flow Sparkling Mineral Water
LOFOTEN ARCTIC WATER AS – Lofoten Arctic Water Sparkling Water
Primo Water Corporation – Mountain Valley Natural Sparkling Water and Sparkling Essences

Best Flavoured Water

Charlie’s Natural B.V – Charlie’s Organics Sparkling Water
Clearly Canadian – Clearly Canadian Essence
Flow Water – Flow Organic Flavoured Mineral Spring Water
Icelandic Glacial – Icelandic Glacial in Aluminium Cans
O’cean Drinks Pvt Ltd – O’cean Fruit Water
Votomos SA – Zaro’s Sparkling Mineral Water Lemon Lime

Best Functional Water

Aqua Nobel – Aqua Nobel
Cirro Water – Cirro Water
HOP WTR – HOP WTR
Jovē Wellness – Jovē Deep Hydration Alkaline Water
Qlarivia – The world’s first-patented deuterium depleted water (DDW)

Best New Brand

Aqua Matters Pte Ltd – Jääde
Glorious Pioneer (Hong Kong) Limited – 890 Below
La Fantana SRL – Sestina
Pop & Pip – Pop & Pip
Primo Water Corporation – Primo Water Plus

Best Brand Extension

BE WTR – BE WTR
Charlie’s Natural B.V. – Charlie’s Organics Sparkling Water
Jovē Wellness – Jovē Deep Hydration Alkaline Water
Lajthiza Invest Sh.A – Lajthiza Premium Water
O’cean Drinks Pvt Ltd – O’cean Energy Drink Sustainable Edition
Vilsa – Vilsa

Best in Can

Clearly Canadian – Clearly Canadian Original Cans
HOP WTR – Double Hopped
Icelandic Glacial - Icelandic Glacial carbonated water
IDS Borjomi Georgia – Legendary BORJOMI – New Look
LOFOTEN ARCTIC WATER AS – Lofoten Artic Water Aluminium Bottle
SC Carpathian Springs SA – AQUA Carpatica Natural Sparkling Mineral Water

Best in Carton

ASEV – Galo da Madrugada – Carnival
AHB GROUP S.A. – THEONI Natural Mineral Water Carton Box
COMPANY HAP – snok
Glorious Pioneer (Hong Kong) Limited – 890 Below

Best in Glass

AHB GROUP S.A. – THEONI Natural Mineral Water Glass Bottle
Birstonas Mineral Waters – Natural mineral water Akvile
EIRA Water – EIRA Still Water
IDS Borjomi Georgia – Legendary BORJOMI – New Look
LOFOTEN ARTIC WATER AS – Lofoten Artic Water Glass Bottle
Splendor Water – Splendor Water

Best in PET

AHB GROUP S.A. – THEONI Natural Mineral Water PET Bottle
Glorious Pioneer (Hong Kong) Limited – 890 Below
IDS Borjomi Georgia – Legendary BORJOMI – New Look
Jovē Wellness – Jovē Deep Hydration Alkaline Water
Sidel - Minéral Water/Nestlé Eco de los Andes
Splendor Water – Splendor Water

Best Packaging/Label Design

Icelandic Glacial Water – Icelandic Glacial Water PET
IDS Borjomi Georgia – Legendary BORJOMI – New Look
Inner Mongolia Yili Industrial Group Co., Ltd – Inikin Freshly Brewed Tea
La Fantana SRL – Sestina
PepsiCo – Aquafina Vietnam Tet New Year
Primo Water Corporation – Mountain Valley 16-ounce Aluminium Water Bottle

Best Dispense Innovation

BE WTR – BE WTR
Nestlé Waters – Vittel Go

Best Technology Innovation

BE WTR – BE WTR
Bevi – Bevi Standup 2.0 Smart Water Cooler
Inner Mongolia Yili Industrial Group Co., Ltd – Inikin Freshly Brewed Tea
Jovē Wellness – Jovē Deep Hydration Alkaline Water

Best Marketing/Social Media Campaign

Actiph – ‘Get Wet, Get Wild with Deadpool and Wolverine’.
Gerolsteiner Brunnen GmbH & Co. KG - Gerolsteiner's campaign for Wacken Open Air 2024
Icelandic Glacial – “You Are What You Drink, Be Exceptional.”
La Fantana SRL – #ClearLikeWater La Fantana
O’cean Drinks Pvt Ltd - Thirsty? Drink O’cean Fruit Water
Solán de Cabras - Solán de Cabras Sparkling Water Marketing Campaign

Best CSR Initiative

Brookfield Drinks – NEO WTR
Nestlé Waters – Vittel Go
Solán de Cabras - Solán de Cabras 10th anniversary collaboration with Asociación Española Contra el Cáncer

Our team

Case studies

Careers

Commercial Consulting

Transaction Services

Water & Environment

Operations Consulting

Associates & Sustainability

Reports

Mergers & acquisitions

Upcoming events

Past events

Sponsorship

Industry news

Press releases

Blogs