2004 Joint SEBWA & TBWA Convention and Trade Show

2004 Joint SEBWA & TBWA Convention and Trade Show

The 2004 Joint SEBWA & TBWA Convention was a raging success according to the post survey reports completed by those who attended the first-time ever joint event. The SEBWA (Southeastern Bottled Water Association) and the MABWA (Mid-America Bottled Water Association) and formerly the TBWA (TBWA – A Regional Bottled Water Assocation) teamed up for 2004 to host their annual convention and trade show jointly at the Beau Rivage Hotel & Casino in Biloxi, Mississippi the first week of April.

There were 199 total attendees for the joint annual meeting and bottlers outnumbered suppliers two to one. A full trade show including booths also marked another “first” for the two associations.

Attendees rated the convention with overall very high marks stating that the “convention was well worth attending”. Most all respondents responded stating that “this convention not only met, but exceeded their expectations.” Among the comments presented about the convention were: Everything was great. Great food, Great location. Best information. This meeting had a lot to offer educationally. Randy Snow, the Keynote speaker was awesome. The networking and educational seminars were the best yet. The opportunity to meet other people in my industry was top-notch. The degree of togetherness was really good. The exchange of ideas, knowledge and problem solving were great. The long-term partnerships that were formed were good for me and my company. The trade show was a real plus. I liked the longer sessions and different material at this meeting. The presentations were excellent. There were new people, new supplies and new ideas. The number of people that attended was fantastic.

Rating each of the program presentations and events as either fair, good or excellent is a practice that the SEBWA Board of Directors review carefully each year in order to plan a quality program for the coming year.Rating in the “excellent” category for 2004 were the following presentations and events: Fishing Tournament, Cleaning and Disinfection Seminar by Joe Dirksen, Plant Inspections of the Future by Michael Bushaw, Diversify or Die by Brian Rose, Federal and State Legislative Update by Pat Donoho, Industry Round Table Discussions, 2004 Business Luncheons, and gathering the most points of all was the overall 2004 Joint SEBWA & TBWA Convention & Trade Show and the keynote address by Randy Snow.

Following close behind with ratings in the “good” category were the following presentations and events: Welcome Reception, Golf Tournament, Incentive Pay Programs by Jay Goodman, Promoting Your Business by Catherine Herter, POU 101 by Mike Zicarelli, and The Future of Bottled Water.

When asked why they attended this convention, the respondents stated, education, business contacts, meeting other vendors, industry support, and education. When asked what programs attendees would like to see in future meetings, the following were listed: recycling, workshops on small pack (pet), route delivery, filtration, pilot plant update (IBWA), and more, more, more of the same. Future meeting sites recommended included: Nashville, Tennessee, New Orleans, Louisiana, and Biloxi, Mississippi again.

A portion of the evaluation form deals more specifically with the Association’s member programs. Networking in the industry, education, business contacts, business leads, and conventions were rated in that order as the reasons for membership. Respondents stated that they would like to receive more communications, more diversity in programs, all the educational material available, and business evaluations added as a benefit to membership. And, the respondents stated that SEBWA leaders are “doing a great job” overall and asked them to “keep up the work”!
Plans for the 2005 Annual Convention & Trade Show are underway and the site and date announcement should be released very soon!

Convention Photos


(Left to Right) Roy Parsons and Jay Goodman; Kathy, Malone, Joe and Fred Garrett; Fred Garrett and Brian Rose; Jim and Jaime Carroll; Jennifer Gibson, Greg Skinner, Larry Murray, and Jeff Carruthers; Jim Carroll and Jack West; Winnie Louie and Scott Dunlap; Terry Roberts and Bryant Strain; Steve Williams and John Speed; Bryan Hendrix and Scott Dunlap; “Littlest and Biggest Fishermen”; Winnie Louie, Joe Dirksen, and Allan Wankat

(Left to Right) Karl Strain and Lane Jones; Jack West; Terry Roberts and Brian Rose; Scott
Dunlap, Susan Gibson, Winnie Louie, Jennifer Gibson and Susan Bennett; Kevin Vann and
Jay Goodman