North American Tea Conference Infuses Niagara Falls

The Tea and Herbal Association of Canada and the Tea Association of the USA are joining forces again to host the tenth annual North American Tea Conference in Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada, Sept. 25-27 at the Hilton Niagara Falls/Fallsview Hotel & Suites. The mission of the event, which is run by and for the tea industry, is to provide an arena for education, networking, and collaboration. Shabnam Weber, president of the Tea and Herbal Association of Canada, said, “Through our speaker sessions and networking opportunities, we aim for attendees to go back to their respective companies inspired with new ideas and fresh perspectives on how to operate their day to day business.” The conference will begin in elegance with a tour of the Trius Winery including lunch with matching wines presented by a wine sommelier. Following the meal will be a visit to Wayne Gretzky Estates Winery & Distillery where dessert and cocktails will be served. Next, the Crop Chemical Summit, attended by the tea associations’ technical committees and regulatory representatives from tea companies, will cover tea cultivation and manufacturing methods and how each relates to the regulatory guidelines of the U.S. and Canada. The Table Top Showcase offers the opportunity for tea companies to present their products, including tea and paper goods, to conference delegates.

The Gold Medal Tea Competition and the Sustainability Awards give tea growers the opportunity to be honored for their unique contributions to the tea industry. The teas entered in the Gold Medal Tea Competition will be tasted by North American Tea Conference tasters and first and second prize will be awarded to each participating country, as well as to an overall winner. Sustainability Award submissions can be made by anyone who operates in the tea industry. These awards shed light on sustainability initiatives. Winners for both competitions will be announced at the Red Carpet “TEA” Awards, September 26 in the Hilton Fallsview Hotel & Suites Great Falls Ballroom. Valuable educational sessions are offered, covering a broad range of topics such as: an Introduction to Botanicals, the Global Forces Impact on the Tea Industry, and tea, wine and cheese pairing. The conference will conclude with a retail tour so attendees can see how tea is sold in Canada. Visits will be made to grocery stores including Loblaws and Whole Foods as well as to specialty retailers and herbal shops. More information, including the agenda and registration form can be found here.