18th WE Trade Fair and Convention: WE strengthens its ties through sharing knowledge, culture and activities

November 23, 2012

This year, in Istanbul, WE members were delighted by the number of new initiatives on display. The members were able to mix business with pleasure by combining their attendance at a variety of workshops, training courses and conference, with visiting the tourist hotspots of one of the most legendary cities in the world.

"I think that the event went very well and that our exhibitors were really satisfied. This is clearly evident by the fact that a lot of them have already applied to attend the event in Berlin next year. There were about 300 visitors from all around the world who participated in the Fair, Conference and Workshops. The Gala Dinner was very successful too. We got more applications for the Aqua Awards then ever before. Congratulations to all the winners. I would like to take this opportunity to invite all our attendees to join the WE event in Berlin. It will be a unique and special occasion because we will be celebrating WE's 20th anniversary! I look forward to this special event!"

Beata Makolska, WE Trade Fair and Convention Manager

After a very successful fair and conference in Odessa, WE decided to invite its members to the world’s only transcontinental city - Istanbul. If you’re wondering why, then listen to the reasons given by Jeroen Peters, WE chairman until October, at the 18th WE Trade Fair and Convention: “Traditionally, the WE Fair and Conference has been about meeting our industry partners in a vibrant and fascinating place. Istanbul is certainly that. With a population of 13.5 million, it is at the centre of the second largest metropolitan area in Europe and among the world’s largest cities by population. It is by far the biggest city in Turkey. Situated on both banks of the Bosphorus, between the Sea of Marmara and the Black Sea, Istanbul has one third of its population in Asia and its commercial and historical centre in Europe.”

The event was generously supported by its sponsors: Nestlé Waters Direct (Conference & Workshops), Sip-Well (Exhibition), Culligan (Aqua Awards & Gala Dinner) and OP Crate (Exhibition bags). The Hilton Hotel in Istanbul was the venue for the successful event, which drew exhibitors from all over the world, and which was visited by about 300 people.

We asked Derek Callaghan —Sip Technologies and WE International Suppliers & Trade Fair Committee Chairman— how was his experience of the event this year: “As with any show, the thing that gives me most personal pleasure is seeing old friends, being able to spend time with them and catching up on all their news. From a business perspective it was especially enjoyable to hear that a real sense of optimism is returning to the industry and that people are again feeling bullish about their business over the next 12 months”. Regarding the exhibition, these were his words: “Overall, as a supplier it was really great to see the level of innovation amongst the suppliers with almost every supplier expanding their range and adding new products to their portfolio”.

Although the presence of POU increases year after year, HOD remains the star of this show. This is how Antonio Zerilli, from Zerica, presented this fact: “Our production is actually oriented only POU and chillers that are connected to the main water. The exhibition was mostly directed to bottled units, so it was a little bit out of our business. Overall, it is positive to see in a small place so different products (bottled units, accessories, chemicals, POU, coffee machines…).”

For her part, Diane Koyich from Crystal Coolers told us about the event: “For an International Supplier, the WE show is a good place to showcase products, yes, but also to connect with other suppliers whose products might work with our products. We make time to discuss ideas, suggestions and projects with our customers and see the “friendly” competition. A high point for me is always socialising with colleagues at the end of the working day (some of you may already know this!)."

So it seems clear that connecting people from the industry, and giving them the opportunity to showcase their innovations and exchange views is one of the strengths of this annual meeting. As Gerry Mavin, Portola Packaging European Commercial Director, stated: “It did open up dialogue with a number of parties whom would have otherwise been difficult to contact”.

One of the main priorities of Wateroolers Europe today, is the approach and support for the watercooler industry in Eastern Europe. As expressed in Sergey Tratsevsky’s words, Country Business Manager at Nestle Waters in Russia, this fact has being also reflected in this year's event “I am excited to see that for the 2nd year in a row, WE is taking tangible steps towards the East of Europe and even beyond. Last time in Odessa, now in Istanbul - a great place; symbolic bridge from West to East with a mix of cultures.”  Gerry Mavin, also draws attention to this, but also introduces a small dose of criticism “I was, of course, surprised and disappointed the Turkish association did not visit this event however the attendance from primarily Eastern Europe countries was excellent to see”.

Over the course of three days, the event offered a complete programme, which started on October 10th —following the closed meeting attended only by EXECO members — with the various WE Committee meetings and WE General Meeting. Following this, all interested members had the opportunity to visit the city, enjoying the Tour of “Sultan Ahmet Center”, the heart of the “Old City” from where the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires were ruled: a tour which took the visitors to such amazing, historical sites as Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque.

The International Conference, “Watercoolers, Health & Hydration” took place on Thursday, October 11th. Among the main topics under discussion were: ‘The Dynamics of the HOD Business in Turkey’, ‘The Industry’s Responsibility for Safety and the Environment’, ‘Core Aspects of European Legislation on Bottled Water’ and ‘How to Align All Stakeholders in the HOD-Industry - Customer-Employee-Management’.

In addition, a comprehensive workshop program took place throughout Thursday 11th and Friday 12th. These included interesting training courses, such as ‘BPA – A Challenge for the Future’, conducted by Pierre-Antoine Ballot (Quality Manager, Eden Springs International), ‘How to Make Social Networks Work for your Company’, facilitated by Craig S. Scott, (Managing Director of International Sales of Polymer Solutions International) and ‘Product Recall & Traceability’, which was given by Luc Desbrun, (Technical Manager at Nestlé Waters Direct Europe).

The event rounded off with the Aqua Awards and Gala Dinner. These took place on Thursday night at the Kervansaray Restaurant, which is well known for hosting one of the most famous, traditional Turkish show in beautiful Istanbul. It was a very special night, at which guests were able to reinforce the spirit of collaboration that helps to promote the Watercoolers Europe association.

Craig Scott, from Polymer Solutions International, told us about his impressions of the event’s closing ceremony: “The Gala Dinner was an exceptional opportunity to view the innovations from the HOD and POU.  I was impressed with the quality and quantity of the entrants per category”.