The latest news, trends, analysis, interviews and podcasts from the global food and beverage industry
Beverage Innovation magazine, in partnership with UNESDA – the Union of European Beverages Associations, has announced that the 2009 beverage innovation awards will be a feature event at drinktec in Munich in September 2009. The local partner for the event is WAFG – the German Alcohol-Free Drinks Association.
Drinktec, held every four years at Neue Messe München, is the world’s largest beverage and liquid food technology trade fair. With a predicted 70,000 plus visitors in 2009, it represents a perfect fit for the beverage innovation awards, which are now in their fifth successful year.
Categories and a call for entries will be announced on 1st September 2008, providing the event’s sponsors with the opportunity for a full 12 month promotional programme. The judging panel will include brand, nutrition and environment experts. There will be awards for best new juice, functional, energy, adult and dairy drinks; best newcomer brand or business; best new ingredient; best marketing campaign; best environmental, ethical, sustainability and health initiatives; as well as a wide range of packaging awards.
Beverage Innovation Editor Claire Phoenix commented: “drinktec represents a unique opportunity for the whole non-alcoholic beverages industry to come together and celebrate innovation in product development. The Best Overall Concept winner at this year’s event in Moscow was a product which was completely on trend with a simple and natural offering, while other winners demonstrated the increasing importance of health and wellness ingredients, marketing, education, and environmental and ethical agendas. Major players and entrepreneurs all benefit from this acclaim.”
drinktec: unique selling point “All parties see the benefit of this combination which will add value to the event,” said Exhibition Director Petra Westphal. “By representing the entire beverages industry, drinktec has a unique selling point as the world’s leading sector meeting place. It makes sense that the beverage industry should celebrate innovation in Munich.”
“The non-alcoholic beverages industry is highly innovative, offering consumers a wide variety of choice. In the past three years there has been a strong focus on low and no calorie products as well as drinks with particular health profiles and ingredients,” commented UNESDA Secretary General Alain Beaumont. “We are delighted to partner with Beverage Innovation magazine in showcasing the wealth of innovation in the sector.”
“One of drinktec’s strengths is that it is held only every four years,” added Zenith International Publishing Group Editorial Director Bill Bruce. “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 are convinced that the awards will reflect the most exciting developments in the industry and we aim to ensure the gala dinner is the biggest ever held in the sector in Europe.”
SPONSORSHIP For more information or to enquire about sponsorship opportunities, contact <1>.