LONG BEACH, Calif. – Tears and toasts marked the departure of George Jage as the organizer and host of World Tea Expo, the most vibrant of North America’s tea gatherings.
Jage, who founded the annual tradeshow in 2002, will lead CannaBusiness Media, a publishing and event company serving the medical and recreational marijuana trade. CannaBusiness Media is a division of Anne Holland Ventures, Inc., headquartered in Pawtucket, R.I. Publications include the Marijuana Industry Directory, Marijuana Business Daily, CannaBusiness Magazine, the CannaBusiness Money Show, and the leading and largest national MMJ (medical marijuana) event, the National CannaBusiness Conference & Expo to be held in Las Vegas this November.
On Saturday a crowd of friends and family filled the show office at the close of the co-located 
Healthy Beverage Expo and World Tea Expo at the Long Beach Convention Center. A portable bar appeared and Jage announced his departure to the crowd of exhibitors with wife Kim and their two children nearby.
The outpouring of emotion that followed was spontaneous. There were testimonials and tearful goodbyes, a blend of sorrow and light-hearted ribbing about his new position.
Devan Shah, who invested more in the Expo than any other sponsor, told the crowd that Jage’s role in organizing World Tea Expo was indispensable in the development of America’s specialty tea industry.
James Norwood Pratt extolled Jage for his commitment and charm. Jane Pettigrew offered her congratulations and Suzette Hammond, Director of Training & Education at Rishi Tea, was so tearful she could only give him a hug.
Kim Jage watched proudly. She bid the community farewell back in October 2013.
George Jage, President & Publisher of CannaBusiness Media, quipped that he intends to take his next assignment “to new highs.” The job is a perfect fit, it is as though I have been preparing for this position for years, he said. His last day at F+W Media was June 10.
George Jage can be reached at [email protected]