Florida Economic and Government Relations Vice President Earns National Advocacy Award

International Bottled Water Association | NEWS RELEASE |November 10, 2020

Florida Economic and Government Relations Vice President Earns National Advocacy Award

Alexandria, VA – The International Bottled Water Association (IBWA) announced that Derieth L. Sutton, vice president of economic development and government relations for Niagara Bottling (Groveland, FL), has earned its Shayron Barnes-Selby / IBWA Advocacy Award. 

The announcement was made during IBWA’s Annual Business Meeting, which is being held virtually this week (November 9-12) as part of the 2020 IBWA Annual Business Conference.

Ms. Sutton has been committed to advancing the goals of the bottled water industry through her consistent willingness to advocate on its behalf at every opportunity.

“She is the consummate advocate—always prepared to educate community leaders and elected officials about the benefits of bottled water, as both a healthy hydration option and employer in the community,” says IBWA Convention Committee Co-Chair Dan Kelly. “As co-chair of IBWA’s Government Relations Committee, she sparks necessary internal discussions that help focus our talking points with members of Congress and other legislators. Derieth often shares her insights with other IBWA members, which enables the association to develop a proactive advocacy strategy.”

She is a regular participant in IBWA’s annual Capitol Hill Day visit in Washington, D.C., as well as other IBWA-arranged visits with legislators during the year.

In addition to serving on IBWA’s Government Relations Committee, Ms. Sutton is an active member of IBWA’s State Affairs Task Force and Political Action Committee (PAC) Board. She is celebrated within IBWA for encouraging others to contribute to the PAC and advancing its mission. Her involvement has helped the PAC grow and successfully establish and maintain relationships with members of Congress.

“Derieth’s experience with helping people understand the value of a bottled water company in their community has been an asset to the work of IBWA’s State Affairs Task Force,” says Kelly. “Her real-life accounts of what is happening at the local level have helped IBWA combat the growing tide of anti-bottled water legislation within the states. Derieth’s efforts have been invaluable to IBWA and the bottled water industry, and we are grateful for her high-level of dedication to this association.”

Ms. Sutton is the fourth recipient of the Shayron Barnes-Selby / IBWA Advocacy Award. Since 1963, IBWA’s award program has been recognizing the efforts of bottled water industry professionals to advance the industry and promote healthy hydration.

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Media Contact:
Jill Culora
703-647-4609
jculora@bottledwater.org

The International Bottled Water Association (IBWA) is the authoritative source of information about all types of bottled waters, including spring, mineral, purified, artesian, and sparkling. Founded in 1958, IBWA’s membership includes U.S. and international bottlers, distributors and suppliers. IBWA is committed to working with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which regulates bottled water as a packaged food product, to set comprehensive and stringent standards for safe, high-quality bottled water products.

In addition to FDA regulations, IBWA member bottlers must adhere to the IBWA Bottled Water Code of Practice, which mandates additional standards and practices that in some cases are more stringent than federal and state regulations. A key feature of the IBWA Bottled Water Code of Practice is a mandatory annual plant inspection by an independent, third-party organization.