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As entries continue to flood in for the prestigious 2008 Water Innovation Awards, the magazine has announced a preliminary list of international judges who have been confirmed to officiate at the judging event.

Following five successful years as the bottledwaterworld awards, the new-look Water Innovation Awards recognises excellence and creativity on a unique global platform for the packaged water industry.

This year’s judges will include Felicity Shakespeare from Givaudan, the world’s largest producer of flavours and fragrances (headquartered in Switzerland). She is joined by Caroline Herbst at Krones, the largest supplier of capital equipment for bottling and packaging in the world (based in Germany). The distinguished line-up is further enhanced by the presence of Romeo Corvaglia, founder of the successful Corvaglia plastic cap business.

Water Innovation is pleased to announce that the jury will also feature the expertise of Victoria Green from UK retailer Waitrose, product development knowledge from Peter Rickett, co-founder of award-winning Designworks Windsor, as well as environmental analysis from Australian born Edward Kosier of Nextek, specialists in polymer recycling and lightweighting.

Water Innovation Editor Nayl D’Souza will join the team of experts to judge the entries and the judging panel will be chaired by Zenith International Publishing Group Managing Editor Bill Bruce, who will ensure full account is taken for each of the nominations.

"Beyond design and marketing excellence or the level to which a company enjoys sales success or addresses issues on sustainability, we always look at the products within their individual market context and above all else examine their fitness for purpose," he explained.

Water Innovation Editor Nayl D’Souza said: "Each of the judges so far announced for the 2008 Water Innovation Awards is an expert in a vastly different area relating to the bottled water industry. They will together bring a high degree of wisdom, enthusiasm and experience to the task of judging our entries."

"Clearly, the judging event will bring together some of the most influential names in our industry. However, *Water Innovatio*n plans to add a few more important industry specialists to the jury and announce the final line-up of judges before 1 August – the deadline for awards entry submission."

Last year, the awards attracted 169 entries from 32 countries. Even greater success is anticipated in 2008. With the entry deadline looming, those interested in participation in the competition are being urged not to miss out. <1>

The awards ceremony will be part of the <5th global bottled water congress><2> September 22-24, 2008, in Wiesbaden (near Frankfurt) on September 23.

<1>: /awards/ <2>: http://http://www.zenithinternational.com/events/event_detail.asp?id=52