Liquid Ambition Conference includes return of impressive beverage awards event
Sarah Cowley-Ross
After a 10-year hiatus, the NZ Non-Alcoholic Beverage Awards have returned and are now open to all New Zealanders working within the sector. And, it’s not too late to enter, with applications open until August 7! The premier awards evening, to be held on October 15 this year, will be part of the sector’s annual conference called Liquid Ambition: The Future of New Zealand Beverages.
NZ Non-Alcoholic Beverage Council co-chair Nick Sawyer says the awards are not just an event; they are a strategic asset designed to elevate the profile of the entire beverage industry – entries are open to both NZBC members and non-members. “With that inclusivity in mind, the awards offer a platform to shine, whether you are an established household name or a rising star,” Nick says.
The award categories are as follows:
• Best Beverage Innovation: Recognising ground-breaking new products, formats, ingredients, or processes.
• Brand of the Year (Established & Emerging): Celebrating brands that demonstrate outstanding market performance, compelling brand storytelling, and deep consumer trust.
• Emerging Leader: Honouring talented individuals with fewer than 10 years in the industry who are demonstrating measurable impact and shaping the future of the sector.
• Industry Champion: Recognising a career or legacy of outstanding, long-term contribution to the New Zealand non-alcoholic beverage industry.
The awards dinner will be held at the conclusion of the NZBC annual conference. Early bird tickets to the conference – also available to non-NZBC members – are available until August 14. NZBC co-chair Sam Borgfeldt says an impressive calibre of speakers will take to the podium at the conference, and they’re sure to inform and entertain. The mix will include a comedian, an Olympian, an award-winning strategist and brand-builder; a woman with a company named Love Muscle, and another who created a clean RTD cocktail.
They are: Matt Dilly – Agricultural Economist - ANZ; Cormac Henry – ANZ F&D Specialist - Mintel; Tom Walsh – Olympian and Keynote speaker; Leigh Hart – Keynote Speaker; Nic Blakeley – CEO – MBIE; Bron Williams – Strategy Director and Co-Founder – Essential Viewing; Holly McGrath – Co-Founder and Managing Director - Clean Collective; and Karina Young – Founder – Love Muscle.
In addition, the conference’s innovation panel will comprise: Will Ward – Business Manager – Liquor & Beverages – Foodstuffs; Rebecca Brook – Founder and Strategic Growth Advisor – Rise Growth Lab; and Jamie Matthewson – General Manager for Impulse Grocery and Liquor – Woolworths. Check the website www.nzbeveragecouncil.org.nz/events for more on these speakers and innovation panel members.
Sam say’s the conference will throw the spotlight on innovation, resilience and the future of NZ’s beverage industry. He says the Liquid Ambition conference’s MC is well versed in resilience and ambition. Sarah Cowley Ross is a former Olympian and one of Aotearoa’s most versatile multi discipline athletes (she’s a high jump and heptathlon champion). She has built a purposeful career at the intersection of sport, wellbeing, and storytelling and says her sporting background has laid the foundation for a life defined by resilience, curiosity, and a deep commitment to empowering others through sport and movement. She is a sports broadcaster, columnist and commentator, podcast co-host, qualified physiotherapist, storyteller, advocate for women’s sports and women’s leadership, and has served in many governance roles. Her work is driven by the belief that sport and storytelling can help build a healthier, more connected Aotearoa where people of all ages feel inspired to move, belong and thrive. Her personal mantra? Never Miss a Monday – start the week with intention, joy and confidence.
The one-day conference will begin with registration at 8.30am and conclude with a dinner and the awards presentation to be held at Tote on Ascot, Ellerslie Event Centre. Non NZBC members are welcome to join members at the event. Tickets are now available at www.nzbeveragecouncil.org.nz/events
The conference organisers would like to thank the following sponsors for their ongoing support of the NZ Beverage Council: Platinum Sponsors – Sensient Technologies, Gold Sponsors – Chelsea, and Silver Sponsors – Alchemy Agencies and RD2 International Ltd.
The NZBC is the industry association for New Zealand's non-alcoholic beverage sector. Members are the brand owners, manufacturers, bottlers and suppliers of New Zealand’s juice, carbonated drinks, flavoured-dairy and bottled water brands. Membership is made up of a wide range of companies operating in New Zealand, ranging from large multinational brands, local New Zealand producers, to those companies that provide a wide range of goods and services to the industry.
By Monique Balvert O’Connor
(Supermarket News - July 2026)