We Celebrated Our Industry Evolution at our inaugural WHA event on 15th & 16th March 2023
Thank you to all those who attended to help make this an outstanding event for our members and our sector.
The next WHA Conference, Trade Show And Industry Dinner will be held in March 2025.
WHA Members will be invited to a Spring 2024 networking event.
EVENT HIGHLIGHTS VIDEO – if you are on your own let the soundtrack rock, if in company then perhaps turn it down a little. FOR BEST RESULTS PLAY FULL SCREEN
Over 130 delegates gathered to hear about the work that has been carried out by the WHA on behalf of its Members. Introduced by Phillipa Atkinson-Clow, General Manager, the speakers were:
Jon Wicks: Chair
Mark Cross: Deputy Chair
Darren Wilson: Technical, Training & Audit Committee Chair
Nigel Elwick: Marketing & Communications Committee Chair
All reflected on what had been achieved over the past 2 years since the BWCA and EDWCA amalgamated and plans for the future involving the incorporation of Integrated Tap Systems (ITS), HoReCa products and Bottle Filling Stations (BFS) and boxed/packaged water into WHA Codes and Standards.
PHILLIPA ATKINSON-CLOW, General Manager
warmly thanked the sponsors
We are grateful to our media partners:
What were the Water Cooler Market data highlights for 2023?
RICHARD HALL, Founder & Chairman, Zenith Global
The total number of water dispensers installed in 2022 surpassed 2019 levels reaching 800,000, constituting a 2.1% improvement over 2021. 46% were mains fed dispensers and 43% bottled dispensers. Multi-functional integrated taps systems made up the remaining 11%. Visit the dedicated webpage for more information.
(Source: Zenith Global)
BRENDAN HANLON, Head of Fundraising & Communications, Just a Drop
6.4 million people in Zambia currently do not have access to clean water; about 35% of the population. WHA Members support Just a Drop and to date have funded the creation of six boreholes in rural Zambia. It is hoped that in 2023 WHA Members will be able to fund three new boreholes, empowering hundreds of people to help build better lives for themselves. See our blog for more information.
VIDEO INTERVIEWS
Many thanks to Richard Hall, Zenith Global and WHA Members Chris and Harley Penn, 4 Aces; Luyanda Mlotywa, Living Water and Andrew Vickery, Thirsty Work for their time to share their reflections on the event and the industry.
Video interviews – if you are on your own play a decent decibel level, you don’t want to miss anything. If in company, then perhaps turn it down a little, or ask those nearby if they also want to listen. For best results play full screen.
DAMIAN HUGHES
“Liquid Thinking” – change your thinking and make things happen
Damian Hughes, a Sunday Times best-selling author and expert on high performance cultures, captivated the conference with insights on how to change their thinking from “solid” to “liquid”.
Damian revealed creative methods used by great achievers past and present, to show how simple changes to your thinking can help fulfil dreams and ambitions. Many of us act as if fate is in charge of our lives instead of personal choice. Feedback from conference delegates was phenomenal. www.liquidthinker.com.
Seminars
Make Mental Health your business and protect and support your most important assets.
Jenny Collard from Lampdirect www.lampadvocacy.co.uk gave an illuminating talk on how to support staff and their mental health – an issue which is being discussed increasingly by businesses and employers.
Talking to your customers, and potential customers, through social media – What are the advantages? Does it work? What are the pitfalls?
Katie Allen, Head of Marketing, Culligan UK gave an insight into the world of social media and how to make it work for you.
TRAINING
Mandatory, industry specific training is the lynchpin of the WHA bottling and distributor audits and its standards.
Members took advantage of the Hygiene Awareness Course held on the morning of Thursday 16th March delivered by WHA Trainer, Auditor and microbiologist, Victor Goodridge.
This course needs to be refreshed every 3 years and in 2022 the WHA delivered over 35 courses to its Members.
WHA 2023 CONFERENCE, TRADE SHOW & INDUSTRY DINNER
What the delegates thought:
"Well organised. It was great to see members of the WHA come together again after such a long time. The most enjoyable thing is the opportunity to reconnect with fellow exhibitors and customers."
"Overall very good venue and event. Best thing was Damian Hughes."
"Damian Hughes – superb and inspiring. Another strength - the update on UK cooler stats and networking."
"Keynote speaker was fantastic and had the whole room engaged. Very relaxed feel to the event. Found the whole event well organised, clearly laid out and informative."
"Great event which I found helpful and stimulating – as I always do. Very well organised and very well run."
"Overall it was a very good event and well organised. As this was the first time we have attended this event we had a warm welcome from all. Thank you."
"Very well organised. Always provides an excellent opportunity to catch up with fellow industry colleagues. Good platform to understand any industry innovations. Particularly enjoyed the keynote speaker. Very engaging and thought provoking presentation. Well organised, good venue and looking forward to the next one!"
"Well structured with a natural flow to the day."
"Damian Hughes was very interesting and inspiring. The trade show was very useful to make new connections and the dinners and lunch are great for networking and seeing existing clients. Very pleasant event overall, in a really nice venue."
The day in images for those who attended and for those who are considering attending in 2025
For full information on all those businesses who exhibited this year and to access the Conference and Trade Show Guide click below.
Event Guide
CLICK TO VIEW
The next WHA Conference, Trade Show and Industry Dinner will be held in March 2025.
WHA Members will be invited to a Spring 2024 networking event.
WHA
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United Kingdom
Telephone: 01707 656 382
Email: info@twha.co.uk
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