August / September 2010 Bottled Water Reporter - 11

Step 2:

Ask Peers About Their Experience

erhaps you need a little more information to help you make up your mind about attending InterBev 2010. A great way to come to a final decision is to ask other bottled water professionals about their previous experience at an InterBev event. Many of your industry peers attended InterBev 2008. Here’s what they had to say about the experience: Steve Kurth (Polymer Solutions International): “This is the show that people want to come and see what’s new and exciting. It’s a ‘one-fit’ show. You can see everything that is new in the industry and also meet new contacts.” Nelson Gonzalez (WaterBoy Inc.): “[I’m here] basically to stay up on the latest technology and the latest updates on bottled water. Now it’s great—[InterBev is] all integrated: bottled water and soft drinks and everything. And equipment, new equipment brings us out here too.”

Nate Starbard (Millipore): “It’s a big benefit to us because it creates more customers in one place. InterBev is beneficial just to meet up with our customers and to be present, have that presence known, because there’s quite a few filtration companies, Millipore is one of the leaders, but there’s probably about 30 or 40 companies in the field, and there’s probably eight or nine here right now.” Darrin Peuterbaugh (Elettric 80): “The end-users we’re talking to seem to be the decision-makers and hold influential positions within their companies. What makes InterBev unique is just the focus: It’s just strictly focused on beverage and water, so it’s unique in that way. It’s a very focused show.”

Step 3:

Study Networking Opportunities

ver and over again, IBWA members state that one of the most important aspects of any convention is the opportunity to meet with their peers face-to-face, trading war stories and discussing work-life experiences. IBWA members relish the chance to share a drink or meal and just talk with— and learn from—each other. Because there’s no substitute for peer interaction, IBWA and the American Beverage Association (ABA) have scheduled the following networking events. (If you are interested in attending an event, select the box.) 2010 DWRF Golf Tournament Tee off and help fund vital research that impacts the bottled water industry by signing up to play in the Drinking Water Research Foundation (DWRF) Golf Tournament. This year the tournament takes place at the majestic Shingle Creek Golf Club in Orlando, Florida. Tee-off at 8:00 a.m. on Monday, September 20, 2010. The entry fee is $195.00 per person

($59.00 is tax deductible), which includes transportation, green fee, golf cart, a continental breakfast, and a boxed lunch. Cash prizes will be awarded, and the Pro Shop is open to all. For more information about the tournament and sponsorship opportunities, visit the DWRF website: www.thefactsaboutwater.org. Bottled Water Plant Tour While attending InterBev, plan to tour DS Waters’ bottled water bottling facility in Orlando on either Tuesday, September 21, or Friday, September 24 (check tour times on the registration form, page 25). The plant produces 1-, 2.5-, 3-, and 5-gallon spring, purified, distilled, and fluoridated water products for residential and commercial customers in Central Florida. The tour includes DS Waters’ state-of-the-art purification processes, world-class disinfection systems, and robotic loading technology. (Ticketed event: Pre-registration fee is $50 until August 13, 2010. Onsite registration fee is $65.)

Bottled Water

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2010

August / September 2010 Bottled Water Reporter

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of August / September 2010 Bottled Water Reporter