Line-up of top speakers at bottled water conference

The South African National Bottled Water Association (SANBWA) will be holding its second industry conference from 16 to 18 July at the Gallagher Estate Convention Centre in Midrand, Gauteng.

The association’s first conference, held in 2010, was a success and generated considerable interest in the industry. This year’s event intends building on that success with a line up of international speakers with expertise not readily found locally as well as local experts who will be able to share pertinent, “on the ground” information.

The formal speaker programme runs from 16 to 17 July. Included on the agenda are market trends and challenges facing the industry (local and international); industry technical development; packaging progress; and environmental issues such as PET recycling, design for recycling and sustainability, and protection and stewardship of resources. The last day, 18 July, will offer a half day excursion to a cutting-edge facility to expose delegates to new technologies and improved standards in the local bottled water industry.

Training sessions – covering SANBWA’s environmental requirements as well as standards and operator training – will be offered in parallel on July 18 to lunchtime. The afternoon will be devoted to SANBWA’s annual general meeting.

SANBWA’s technical manager, Charlotte Metcalf, encourages association members and their colleagues to attend this informative and exciting event. She is currently finalising speakers from Coca-Cola International, Nestlé International, certification body NSF International and the European Federation of Bottled Water, details of which will be announced shortly.