Announcing World Tea Expo Lifetime Achievement Award Nominees

Each year, World Tea Expo awards a tea industry leader with the John Harney Lifetime Achievement Award for his or her unique contributions to advancing the business of tea. World Tea Expo’s Advisory Board, which consists of 11 tea industry professionals, has chosen this year’s 19 nominees. The advisory board’s selection criteria, among many other points, considered each nominee’s impact on the tea industry on both local and global scales. This year’s nominees comprise a diverse group of tea business experts who share a passion for tea. World Tea Expo congratulates all the nominees and supports their valuable contributions. Brian Keating, tea industry liaison and World Tea Expo Advisory Board coordinator said, “The 2018 nominees for the annual World Tea Expo Lifetime Achievement Award represent an exceptional diversity of tea industry pioneers and entrepreneurs from all over the world. The tea industry applauds all of their tireless efforts towards the advancement and promotion of tea. We look forward to the award ceremony in June where the 2018 winner shall be announced.” The 2018 Lifetime Achievement Award winner will be announced at the World Tea Awards & Opening Night Cocktail Reception, Tuesday, June 12, 2018, in the Las Vegas Convention Center’s South Hall. The award is named after Harney & Sons’ founder, John Harney. Lifetime Achievement Award Nominees Rahah Banerjee, founder of Makaibari Tea Estate Dan Bolton, editor/publisher, Tea Journey Magazine Charlie Cain, principal and executive consultant, Building Oz Babette Donaldson, founder, International Tea Sippers Society Kevin Gascoyne, owner, Camellia Sinensis Sanjay Guha, international tea consultant Richard Guzauskas, consultant/specialty tea industry Manik Jayakumar, founder and CEO, Qtrade Teas & Herbs Nigel Melican, managing director, Teacraft Ltd. Jane Pettigrew, author and speaker Bruce Richardson, author/publisher, Benjamin Press Louise Roberge, president, Tea and Herbal Association of Canada Ron Rubin, minister of tea and CEO, The Republic of Tea David Segal, co-founder and brand ambassador (retired), David’s Tea Thomas Shu, owner, JT & Tea Inc. Tim Smith, chief leaf, The Tea Smith Abigail St. Clair, owner, TeBella Tea Company Maria Uspenski, founder, The Tea Spot Bill Waddington, founder and president, TeaSource   Join the Celebration  What: World Tea Awards & Opening Night Cocktail Reception When: 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, June 12, at World Tea Expo Where: Special Events Stage on the Exhibit Hall Floor Made possible by: Harney and Sons,  Bunn and Owl's Brew