News Published on 21 Jul, 2009
Finalists selected in the 2009 Beverage Innovation Awards
Filed by Bill Bruce
The judging panel for the 2009 Beverage Innovation Awards gathered at the Hotel Metropole in Brussels on 19-20 July to select the finalists and winners from the 340 entries from 40 countries in 23 categories.
The awards, which will be presented at the industry’s largest ever gala dinner during Drinktec in Munich on 15 September, are designed to celebrate excellence and innovation in the global non-alcoholic drinks industry.
The panel included experts in the fields of wellness and nutrition; branding, marketing, design and consumer insights; and retailing and the supply chain, including:
- Interbrand Hamburg managing director, Richard Veit
- Tate & Lyle Ingredients marketing director, Caroline Sanders
- Marks & Spencer category buyer, Alan Ledsham.
Representatives of the main partners included Alain Beaumont, secretary general of Unesda – the Union of European Beverages Associations; and Detlef Gross, secretary general of WAFG – the German Alcohol Free Drinks Association.
Other experts included:
- The managing editor of Beverage Innovation magazine, Claire Phoenix
- PETplanet’s publisher and editor in chief, Alexander Büchler
- Klaus Heithlinger, managing director of the German Fruit Juice Association – VdF
- Joop Kleibeuker, secretary general of the European Dairy Association.
The panel was chaired by Zenith International Publishing group editorial director, Bill Bruce, who said: “This year, more than ever, the Beverage Innovation Awards provide the non-alcoholic drinks industry with the opportunity to celebrate its creativity and innovation in product categories ranging from juice and juice drinks through functional and energy to adult and gourmet. This year’s competition also includes packaged water, dairy drinks and a wide range of categories designed to reward new initiatives in packaging, marketing and the increasingly important environmental and ethical arena.
“The chance to present the finalists and winners with their awards at Drinktec makes this the networking opportunity of the decade. Drinktec is the Olympic Games of the industry’s trade fairs, one of its great strengths being that it’s held only every four years. Visitors see a real step change in the way the industry is responding to the varying demands of the marketplace, and setting new trends through innovation in packaging and ingredients. We’re convinced that the awards will reflect the most exciting developments in the industry and we aim to ensure that the gala dinner is the biggest event of its kind ever held in Europe.”
The finalists and winners will be presented at the industry’s largest gala dinner during Drinktec in Munich on 15 September. Call the awards dinner hotline on +44 (0)1225 327850.
See more photos of the judging weekend. See more photos on Flickr.