Tradefair Berlin 2005

United Towards a Diversified Future

11th Annual EBWA Trade Fair & Convention and
The First EFBW Bottled Water Europe Event

Berlin 21-25th November 2005

In a challenging economic environment, European bottled water companies increasingly have to diversify and differentiate their product range to release the true value that the owners and the markets expect.

This holds true for all segments of the bottled water market in Europe. All bottled water companies irrespective of size, market segment and country of operations face an increasing challenge to innovate. Ever more, innovation and excellence in products, services, marketing and logistics is needed to shine in the market.

Reacting to this trend and taking into account the opportunity represented by the merger of the associations, EBWA and EFBW respectively offer their members a trade fair and convention that is dedicated to gathering ideas and to harnessing the synergies inherent in the many different approaches to products and services evident in Europe.

The first combined EBWA/EFBW Trade Fair & Convention will take place in Berlin, Germany in the week of 21-25th November 2005 at the Hotel Estrel, Europe’s largest combined hotel and convention venue.

EBWA and EFBW aim to create the showcase event for the bottled water industry in Europe that is solely designed for the informational needs of the bottled water industry, while not aiming to replace other more general food and packaging shows. The event will be a customised specific industry event that is a must for all bottled water companies and industry suppliers. The event will include an Aqua Awards competition during the Industry Party, where excellence in marketing will be highlighted.

However difficult the business environment may be, bottled water in Europe has much to be proud about.

  • The European bottled water market remains the largest bottled water market in the world at 54 billion litres according to Zenith International even considering fast growth in Asia, which now lies in second place with 36 billion litres.
  • Europe remains very strong, because nowhere in the world is bottled water consumption as high as in Europe. Zenith reports that seven out of the top ten countries in terms of consumption per head are in Western Europe.
  • Europe has its own area of opportunity with rapid growth from a moderate basis is being witnessed all across Central and Eastern Europe.
  • Europe has the largest portfolio of bottled water brands in the world; many of which are exported throughout the world.
  • Europe has developed the most sophisticated bottled watercooler market in the world both in terms of standards as well as equipment innovation.

For Berlin, the watchwords are: recognising change, exchanging ideas, building trust, evaluating possibilities and making friends. Lots can be learned from each other; established small pack bottlers have the experience of a long history in retail and horeca; while younger watercooler distributors know all about B2B service & CRM. Place the two together and mix them up, who knows what will arise: the solution to everybody’s problems – who knows??

In addition, EBWA reaches out to the Point-of-Use (PoU) Watercooler Industry, by creating the first comprehensive European Bottled Water & HOD Event!!! Recognising that HOD in Europe combines bottled and PoU-watercoolers, EBWA wishes to invite all HOD-operators.

Berlin is close to Central & Eastern Europe – Berlin is the capital of one of the biggest bottled water countries in the world – Berlin is the city of the first public watercooler showroom and Berlin is fast becoming the most visited city in North-western Europe nearly catching up with Paris and London.

Looking forward to welcome you to Berlin next year are:

  • Mike Hecker, EBWA Chairman
  • Torben Friis, EFBW Chairman
  • Hans Mommsen, EBWA/EFBW Association Manager

For information on Berlin, please contact: www.ebwa2005.de