The UK Water Dispenser & Hydration Association (WHA) Conference and Trade Show took place in Nottingham, UK, on Thursday 20 March 2025.

Nottingham, perhaps best known as the home of Robin Hood, is also celebrated as the 'Queen of the Midlands' for its charming parks and spacious streets. And despite being landlocked, it provides the perfect backdrop for an event focused on the future of hydration.

The event took place at The Nottingham Belfry, a four-star hotel that balances comfort and sophistication. The Nottingham Belfry offered a contemporary, comfortable and accessible venue for the event. With a strong focus on sustainability and guest wellness, it was an ideal setting for a gathering centred on hydration and health.

Morning conferences

The day began with a series of insightful keynote speeches from industry leaders, business experts and innovators, covering a range of topics from market intelligence to workplace wellbeing and cutting-edge AI applications.

Roger Black, a former athlete with 15 major championship medals, including an Olympic 400m silver and World Championship gold, shared his journey from athletics to business success, revealing the mindset and strategies that helped him overcome challenges and achieve excellence. His insights into resilience, adaptability and performance resonated deeply with the audience, offering lessons for professionals navigating their own careers.

Building on themes of resilience and adaptability, Zenith Global's consulting director, Akos Petri, provided valuable market intelligence, shedding light on the water dispenser industry performance and key trends. He noted that 2024 marked a year of "resilience and value-led growth," explaining that while total unit numbers dipped, the sector adapted through higher-value offerings and strategic pricing, resulting in solid revenue performance.

Petri highlighted that the latest UK Water Dispense Market Report from Zenith revealed that unit placements fell below 785,000 in 2024, reflecting a decline in the number of water dispensers in operation. According to the report, this decrease indicates a maturing market, influenced by factors such as hybrid working trends and an unusually rainy summer that slowed sales momentum.

However, despite this decline, industry revenue rose by 8.5% to £191.9 million, driven by higher pricing in bulk bottled water supply and a growing demand for integrated tap systems (ITS). This data underscored the industry's ability to adapt and innovate in response to evolving market conditions.

Phillipa Clow, general manager of WHA, also shared her remarkable experience visiting nine boreholes in Zambia, a life-changing project sponsored by the BWCA and WHA. Accompanied by Alice Mellor from water charity Just a Drop, Phillipa spoke about the transformative impact of providing clean water to communities, underscoring the essential role water plays not only in businesses but also in improving lives across the globe.

Watch my interview with Phillipa and WHA's deputy chair Matt Stimpson below:

Afternoon trade show

The afternoon’s trade show featured over 30 stands showcasing of cutting-edge hydration solutions, emphasising innovation and sustainability.

Water dispensers and filtration solutions

Italian water dispenser manufacturer, Blupura, presented its Rebel water cooler, available in 30- and 60-litre-per-hour models. Designed for both hospitality and office spaces, this unit features an ice pack cooling system for enhanced performance. The hot water version includes an integrated boiler, delivering temperatures of up to 98°C, perfect for tea and hot beverages. Complementing this, Blupura’s Blutron filtration system stood out for its customisable purification options.

Additionally, the company showcased its T. Flow mechanical tap, built for durability and efficiency. With a flow reducer and self-closing spring system, this stainless steel fixture is coated with a double layer of impact-resistant paint, making it ideal for high-traffic environments.

Watch our interview with Debora Screpanti, marketing manager at Blupura, below:

Shifting to outdoor hydration solutions, Oasis displayed its Outdoor Bottle Fillers, which feature manual activation and a vandal-resistant design perfect for public spaces. These bottle fillers are equipped with an integrated filtration system to provide safe drinking water in high-traffic outdoor locations. The company also introduced the AquaPointe Hydration Station, a sensor-activated hydration unit offering touch-free operation and an energy-efficient refrigeration system, ensuring hygienic and sustainable hydration solutions in public environments.

Sustainable packaging and beverage solutions

In the world of sustainable packaging, Go-Pak Group presented its FSC-certified, compostable aqueous-coated paper cups, a sustainable alternative to traditional plastic-lined cups. Using water-based polymer coatings, these cups are leak-resistant, home-compostable and ideal for eco-conscious businesses.

Further expanding on the theme of multi-functional hydration technology, Coffeetek showcased its Neo Q coffee machine and water fountain, a dual-function system designed to reduce waste and promote sustainability. By combining high-quality filtered water and premium coffee in a single unit, it encourages the use of reusable bottles and cups, minimising environmental impact. Its advanced filtration system removes impurities, ensuring fresh, odour-free drinking water, while an optional UV purification kit further enhances safety. The double-bean system allows for a diverse range of coffee recipes, catering to a wide audience.

Another innovation was Marco Beverage Systems' MilkPal precision milk dispenser, an innovative solution designed for high-volume coffee service. By delivering hot, cold and foamed milk with exact consistency, it reduces waste and ensures superior beverage quality.

Also on display was Marco Beverage's Friia, an undercounter water dispensing system offering hot, cold, and sparkling water on demand, ideal for cafés, offices and hospitality settings. Another product was Pour'd, a beverage dispenser that streamlines the preparation of hot and cold coffee from concentrate, improving efficiency while minimising waste.

Evening industry dinner

After a day filled with innovation and knowledge-sharing, the event concluded with a relaxed and enjoyable industry dinner.

The evening was not only a chance to unwind but also an opportunity to network with peers and celebrate the industry’s collective achievements. With entertainment from mindreader Alex Crow, a lively casino night and a silent auction benefiting Just a Drop, the dinner provided a fun and engaging way to close the event, reinforcing the industry's commitment to global water access initiatives.

WHA 2025 was a success, offering a comprehensive blend of knowledge, networking and product innovation. The event highlighted the latest advancements in hydration technology, sustainability initiatives and business strategies, providing attendees with valuable insights and opportunities for growth. Here's to the 2027 event!