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- 22nd Global Water Drinks Congress
22nd Global Water Drinks Congress
The highest level and most influential event for the global water drinks industry. Designed for industry leaders, suppliers, customers and advisers, this 22nd 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.
About
Zenith Global's annual Global Water Drinks Congress is regarded as the highest level and most influential forum for the global water drinks industry.
Designed for industry leaders, suppliers, customers and advisers, the Congress offers attendees a complete overview of the latest market trends, developments, innovation and issues, alongside extensive networking opportunities.
The event will feature two days of conference sessions, a tour of Mattoni 1873’s Szentkirály bottling facility (the leading mineral water brand in Hungary), extensive networking opportunities, a gala industry dinner and presentation of the Global Water Drinks Awards 2025, highlighting the best in global water drinks innovation worldwide.
Leading international and regional manufacturers, industry suppliers and advisers will present on the latest market and strategic developments, as well as topical issues ranging from packaging and sustainability to water stewardship and innovation.
To view details of the 2024 Global Water Drinks Congress, please click here.
Tour
Delegates of the 22nd Global Water Drinks Congress will have the opportunity to explore Mattoni 1973's Szentkirályi bottling plant, near Budapest.
Szentkirályi is the market leading mineral water of Hungary, recognised for its excellent quality. In 2004 Szentkirályi was awarded as the best mineral water in the world at the Aqua-Eauscar Award in Paris; since then it has been considered worthy by more than 50 national and international awards.
The Szentkirályi plant is a state-of-the-art facility, which has considerably expanded its technical capabilities since 2015 with a series of major technical investments into its production lines and facilities. This includes the addition of a 5 litre production line (2019), the launch of a fourth PET line (2023) with cutting-edge Krones technology (32,000 bottles per hour) and the introduction of a Pepsi CSD Capability (2024-2025) which will enable the company to bottle Pepsi products in Hungary.
Location and accommodation
The 22nd Global Water Drinks Congress will take place at the Anantara New York Palace Hotel, a luxury hotel located in the heart of Budapest.
Part of The Leading Hotels of the World, this 5-star property is housed in a magnificent 19th-century building, renowned for its Belle Époque architecture and rich cultural heritage. Fully refurbished to blend historic charm with contemporary comfort, the hotel offers 185 luxurious rooms and suites, along with the Anantara Spa, indoor pool and gym facilities.
The hotel is situated on the elegant Erzsébet Körút Boulevard, providing a welcome retreat near the theatres, restaurants, and bars on the Pest side of the Danube, close to visitor attractions (such as the Madach Theatre and Hungarian State Opera House) and transport links.
For delegates wishing to book accommodation, an allocation of rooms will be available on a strictly first come, first served basis at a negotiated rate of €255 per night. Booking details will follow shortly
Visas may be required from source countries. Zenith will be happy to help with visa support documentation where possible.
Testimonials
"Having participated in several of Zenith's Global Water Drinks Congresses, I can say it is one of the best events in the sector. The content, the audience, the insights outshine most other events I know." Alexander van 't Riet, LeNoble Consultants
"Zenith's Global Water Congress remains the most important industry gathering of the year" Gareth Jones, Icelandic Glacial
"Zenith has curated a thoughtful global industry conference in both speaker content and attendees. Their team has been able to bring innovators together at beautiful locations across the globe and create an event that fosters great relationships through a shared passion for water beverages, sustainability and innovation." Leila Khoury, Nirvana Water Sciences
"A very well organised opportunity to get some great insight into the water industry, from some key speakers." Sally Laurie, Borg & Overstrom
"Absolutely stunning event, excellent content and beautifully organised. Such an interesting and proactive group of attendees with lots of positive discussions to combat the world’s water solutions. Very exciting to be a part of the community and revolution of water delivery, functions and sustainability." Francesca Walters, WET Global
"Great conference, great forum, the real decision makers of the industry. Change starts here, I hope!" Yaniv Neeman, Culligan
“Outstanding strategic and insightful contributions from key directors of the world's leading businesses in the domain. The sheer level of participation from executive leaders in the Congress every year demonstrates the value we see at this event” Ananda Roy, IRI Worldwide
“I really enjoyed the Congress. I find it extremely insightful to meet other industry leaders and be able to learn from them and discuss the challenges we all face. The location was unbeatable and the organization you and the team put behind it was world class.” Ulises Ramirez, The Coca-Cola Company
"A truly unique, strategic event that brings together everything your business or brand needs to be in a position where you can make it all happen. For us, it is a marked event in our yearly calendar." Alina Balatchi-Lupatu, AQUA Carpatica
“Zenith events are consistently well executed and deliver exceptional industry insights and networking opportunities” Ross Colbert, Capstone Partners
"The whole event was well planned, brilliantly executed and extremely informative. Thank you to all involved for a great day." Roxane UK
“Because of Zenith's outstanding reputation, events I have attended have always produced great opportunities for discussion and for gathering the most up to date market information, which proves invaluable.” Michael Cervin, Bottled Water Web
"The mixed global experts and information on water is an excellent mix!" Neil Kimberly, Independent Consultant
"It was a unique opportunity to hear from many professionals around the industry globally, around the main topics driving our businesses from sustainability, to innovation." Salma Hamdouch, Les Eaux Reveirades D'Oulmes
"Excellent event for Market Update and Networking" Sauf Alnoumani, Abaad Investments
"I gained even more from the congress than anticipated" Michael Tanusis, Aqua Amore
"The Global Water Drinks Conference this year was incredible! I learned a lot from the other speakers and loved seeing the innovation in the industry." Megan Riggs, Crunchy Hydration
"Great experience and well-prepared program in terms of content. I will definitely attend next year as well." Ivana Kralikova, Kofola
"My first time joining this event and to my surprise, I really enjoyed all the programmes and great speakers indeed. A most enjoyable event and I will sure be a fan club of Zenith." Vorachand Thiengtham, Alka Plus Co
"Unique opportunity to meet the key industry players and learn about the most relevant topics shaping the industry." Niclas Diesen, K Hartwall Invest
"Relevant content and the speakers were well great. The facilitation by Zenith was excellent too" Helen Too, Tetra Pak
"Simply professional from end to end with relevant content and a good information/knowledge platform about the industry. A masterclass in event management" John Pugh, National Mineral Water Company
"This is one of my best investment for value. Receiving the opportunity to speak with high level speakers is priceless for a company." Olivier Van Migem, Reflective Shopper Worldwide
"In my 27 years in business I have attended numerous conferences. The GBWC19 definitely was one of the best in terms of content, organisation and networking opportunities. I highly recommend to any professional in the water business wanting to get the latest update and high-level exchange." Eva Wuellner, SpenglerFox
Awards
The industry's only Global Water Drinks Awards are designed to celebrate excellence and innovation across every category of the packaged water industry.
The awards are a great way for you to enhance your brand and ensure your product, concept or campaign is recognised on an international scale.
Entries will be open from June through to September 2025. The winners will be announced during the 22nd Global Water Drinks Congress in Budapest, during a gala industry dinner.
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
For more information, visit the awards page on our website or contact awards@zenithglobal.com.
Sponsorship
Our event and awards sponsorship packages offer a unique and effective opportunity to showcase your brand and services to a highly relevant audience.
You can choose from our Platinum, Gold, Silver and Bronze sponsorship packages, or we can create a custom sponsorship package to suit your specific needs and budgetary requirements.
Sponsorship opportunities include:
- Presentation within the main event programme
- Opportunity to host a workshop, roundtable or drinks reception
- Exhibit display in the networking area
- Distribution of marketing material / product samples
- Delegate passes
- Discounted delegate access for your clients
- Branding across event collateral, including stage backdrop, lectern and programme
- Logo on event webpage hyperlinked to your website
- Sponsored email communication to all attendees
- Sponsored social media posts
- Regular mentions in Zenith Global's event marketing and press releases
For information and pricing, please contact Francesca Hall, Events Director
e fhall@zenithglobal.com t +44 (0)1225 327900