Water: Beneath the Surface and Around the Globe
Friday, February 20 – 1- 5pm
The seminar and Saturday’s award ceremony are live-streamed on BerkeleySpringsWV Facebook page.
Times Approximate
Arthur von WiesenbergerModerator and Water Master
Noted water expert and consultant.
Well known for Nipper’s, his highly successful champagne and caviar club in California, von Wiesenberger added water tastings to his wine-tasting business in the late 1970s. He is a past president of the International Food, Wine, and Travel Writers Association, the American Institute of Wine and Food, and the Society of Wine Educators. His books include Champagne & Caviar, A Pocket Guide to Bottled Water, and The Taste of Water. The original Water Master of the Berkeley Springs International Water Tasting, von Wiesenberger has served in all but three festivals through the 33 years. Since 2018 he has been the Executive Producer and host of the award-winning animal rescue television series, AnimalZone. It is on Cox television network and TUBI.Tv. See why Arthur von Wiesenberger was chosen for the 2020 Lifetime Achievement Award.
FEATURED SPEAKERS for 2025
2026 Lifetime Achievement Award
George McGraw, Founder & CEO, DigDeep
George McGraw, Founder & CEO of DigDeep, is a leading expert on water and sanitation access, with a focus on the United States. With over a decade of experience in the WaSH (water, sanitation and hygiene) sector, he has led significant field projects, policy initiatives and research efforts, including the influential report ‘Closing the Water Access Gao in the United States,’ revealing that over 2 million Americans lack tap or toilet access at home, with race as a key factor in water insecurity. The 2022 report, ‘Draining: The Economic Impact of America’s Hidden Water Crisis’, unveiled the annual cost of leaving the water access gap unsolved at a staggering $8.58 billion, while also highlighting that each dollar invested in closing the gap delivers an impressive nearly 5x return to the U.S. economy.
Senior Scientist
West Virginia Rivers Coalition
Dr. Nathaniel “Than” Hitt is a tenth-generation West Virginian and freshwater biologist with expertise in fisheries, water quality, climate change, and open-science strategies. He received his BA from the College of Wooster, MS from the University of Montana, and PhD from Virginia Tech. From 2009 to 2024, he served as a Research Biologist with the US Geological Survey in Kearneysville, WV. He currently serves as Senior Scientist with the WV Rivers Coalition.
Pat Eckert, Certified Water Sommelier, Owner of Fine Liquids
Pat Eckert is a certified Water Sommelier, entrepreneur, and the visionary behind Fine Liquids, a premier international distributor of rare and exclusive mineral waters. Based in Germany, Eckert has established himself as a leading authority in the “Fine Water” movement, combining a unique background in psychiatric care and award-winning media design to approach water with both sensory empathy and aesthetic rigor.
In 2018, he transformed Fine Liquids into a global hub for “petites maisons”—distinctive, terroir-driven waters—making them accessible to gastronomes worldwide. He is the creator of AQA FINELLI, a premium mineral water sourced from the Taunus mountains. In 2024, AQA FINELLI became the first German brand in history to be nominated as a finalist for the prestigious Zenith Global Water Drinks Awards in both the Best Natural Still and Best Natural Sparkling categories.
An active educator, Eckert is the author of “The Colors of Water | Rethink Water” and the founder of the Colors of Water Academy, which trains the next generation of water sommeliers. He holds the world’s largest water bottle collection (Aqapolis) with over 3,500 exhibits and collaborates on avant-garde projects like the space mission “The Drop Beyond” with artist Samuel Stubblefield. A seasoned international juror, Eckert has judged at the Taste Awards in Athens, San Sebastian, and Budapest, bringing a rigorous, clinically-honed palate to the 36th Berkeley Springs International Water Tasting.
Title: The Cosmic Journey and Human Essence of Water
This presentation explores the profound journey of water, from its celestial origins in the cosmos to its vital role as the foundation of human life and health. We will delve into the true significance of water for humanity and why proper hydration is a key factor in daily well-being and the aging process. Finally, we will demonstrate how an immersive water tasting can raise awareness of these dimensions, showcasing the transformative potential of a professional tasting experience.
Joe Doss – President and CEO of the International Bottled Water Association
Joe Doss has been the President and CEO of the International Bottled Water Association (IBWA) in Alexandria, Virginia since 1999. Mr. Doss has extensive experience in association management and food and drug, government affairs, public relations and legal issues. He has a proven track record of strategic thinking and planning, managing complex and controversial issues, and building consensus among diverse (e.g., large and small) member companies.
His previous positions include: Senior Vice President and Director of Public Affairs, Consumer Healthcare Products Association (formerly the Nonprescription Drug Manufacturers Association); Counsel at the law firm of Covington & Burling; Assistant General Counsel and Director of State Government Relations, Consumer Healthcare Products Association; Government Affairs Representative, National Stone Association; and Legislative Analyst, LEGI-SLATE of Congress.
Mr. Doss has a B.A. in government from The College of William and Mary and a J.D. from George Mason University School of Law. He has completed an executive management course at the Center for Creative Leadership. Mr. Doss is a member of the Bar in Virginia and the District of Columbia. He serves on the Board of Directors at the International Council of Bottled Water Associations and is a member of the Food and Drug Law Institute and the American Bar Association.
2019 Lifetime Achievement Award recipient
Topic: Update on Recent Water and Hydration Issues
Joe Doss will provide an update on recent developments concerning key water and hydration issues. This includes the recommendations about drinking water in the new Dietary Guidelines for Americans, the new FDA regulation that allows bottled water to include the word “healthy’ on the product label, the current status of PFAS regulations in the US, and other information about water and hydration.
TOPIC: Group Discussion
Henry “Bob” Hidell is the Founder, Chairman & Managing Director of Hidell International providing consulting services to the beverage, drinking water, food and nutrition industries since 1972. His professional expertise spans the spectrum of business, technical, and educational services with specific expertise in the formulation of business strategies, mergers and acquisitions, and turnkey development of beverage bottling facilities. He is a recognized expert in international economic and business development and is the 2013 Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient.