Just Drinks will host a two-day conference in London this week exploring the key topics in the non-alcoholic beverages sector.
The event in London, held in partnership with sister events arm Arena International, brings together brand owners, retailers, ingredients suppliers and analysts to discuss issues from the future of functional drinks to building the market for alcohol-free.
Day one of the conference will hear energy-drinks giant Red Bull set out how retailers are promoting functional beverages in stores and AG Barr-owned Boost Drinks outline what it sees as the prominent trends in the space – including CBD.
The first day of the event, held at the Pullman London St Pancras hotel, will also hear what Boost Drinks and London-based Nix and Kix believe are the health credentials consumers are looking for in drinks.
Diageo will close out day one with a discussion of how the beverage-alcohol giant has worked with upmarket UK grocer Waitrose to drive its alcohol-free range.
The sessions on day two include a panel on how the fast-growing but still fledgling non-alc beer and spirits categories are evolving, as well as, crucially, a later discussion on how the sector can react to the pressures on consumer spending.
Delegates will also have the opportunity to join speaker-hosted roundtables exploring topics in functional drinks, flavours, packaging and alcohol-free.
Speakers include:
Lotte Tregear, director of category and e-commerce, Red Bull
Mark Wilford, category controller, Boost Drinks
Julia Kessler, co-founder and CEO, Nix & Kix
Rachael Matthews, head of product, Trip
Kate Blake, senior category strategy manager, premium spirits and alcohol-free, Diageo
Ben Branson, founder of Seedlip and Pollen Projects
Morten Lee Sørensen, founder, Ish Spirits
Emma Wykes, founding partner, Pollen Projects
Laura Willoughby, co-founder, Club Soda
David Begg, founder and CEO, The Real Drinks Co.
Tim Blake, co-founder, Crossip Drinks
Steve Cooper, founding director, The Artisan Drinks Co.
Aileen Bentall, head of consumer and shopper insight, Heineken
Want to delve into the most pressing topics in non-alcoholic drinks?
Booking: Limited spaces remain – more info and booking on the Arena website.
Dates: 24 – 25 September
Contact: If you have questions about tickets, group discounts, sponsorship or marketing, contact Ben Gemmell: ben.gemmell@arena-international.com
