Romania boasts a diverse cultural tapestry influenced by various civilisations, including Roman, Ottoman and Austro-Hungarian. This blend is evident in its architecture, traditions and cuisine, making it an attractive destination for any event.

As a member of the EU since 2007, Romania is an emerging market with increasing economic potential, particularly in sectors like technology and renewable energy.

From 10-11 October, Romania’s capital Bucharest – often referred to ‘Little Paris’ due to the abundance of French-inspired buildings – was home to the Watercoolers Europe Conference & Trade Fair 2024. This year’s show brought together industry leaders for two days of insightful presentations, product showcases and networking opportunities.

The first day kicked off with a series of conferences and workshops, offering a deep dive into the latest trends in the watercooler market. Richard Hall, chairman of Zenith Global, shared data on the robust growth of the water dispenser industry, noting that there were 6.4 million dispensers in Europe in 2023, a 2.3% increase from 2022. He highlighted that the industry generated €2.1 billion in revenue, reflecting a 5.7% growth compared to 2022.

Meanwhile, keynote speaker Thorsten Jekel provided valuable insights on how AI is transforming workplace efficiency and driving innovation in the industry. He emphasised the importance of prioritising client value before adopting new technologies. By identifying specific targets, companies can determine which processes to enhance and how technology can facilitate these improvements. You can watch our interview below.

The evening’s highlight was the Aqua Awards & Gala Dinner at Le Chateau Ballroom. With traditional Romanian dance performances and a magician entertaining the audience, the event was both celebratory and engaging.

The Aqua Awards celebrated innovation and excellence in the sector, with Culligan scooping up two awards for Best Marketing Campaign and Best Promotion of Health & Hydration. Oasis won Best Website, Blupura took home the Best Environmental Practice/Green Initiative award and BWT was recognised for Best Product Innovation.

© WE

Day two of the event shifted focus to the trade fair, which featured 39 exhibitors showcasing the latest products and technologies in the watercooler space.

Blupura drew attention with its Rebel water dispenser, delivering up to 30 litres of water per hour at optimal temperatures, perfect for environments like small restaurants and offices. Its Blutron filtration system also stood out, offering customisable water filtration options to ensure high quality drinking water.

Another exhibitor, HDS Water from Israel, showcased its Lotus Plus mini water bar. With features like an advanced touch screen, an automatic filling function and multiple temperature modes, the model comes in playful colours such as pink, blue, yellow, green and purple.

Blupura's Rebel and HDS Water's Lotus Plus water dispensers

Sigma Home Products presented its water dispenser and built-in ice maker, offering intelligent touch controls and alarms for ice and water levels. The company also displayed its range of plastic bottles for dispensers.

French firm OP showcased its production of plastic racks systems made from durable, food-approved plastic that is recyclable and designed to prevent mould growth. This approach ensures the crates uphold high hygiene standards, making them an ideal solution for heavy water bottles.

A huge thank you to everyone we had the pleasure of speaking with at the Watercoolers Europe event! We’re grateful to Richard Hall and Thorsten Jekel for sharing their insights and experiences.

And congratulations to the Aqua Awards winners we interviewed – Debora Screpanti (Blupura), JF Brisson (Oasis), Marie-Theres Sattler (Culligan), Roberta Polesel (BWT) and Marzia Mariotti (Culligan) – for your achievements. Special thanks to the event organisers, Marzia Mariotti, Gustav Felix, Katarzyna Tomanek and Derek Callaghan, for orchestrating such a great event.

Next year’s Watercoolers Europe Conference & Trade Fair will take place in Milan, Italy, on 6-7 November 2025.

Top image: © WE

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