More than 3,000 professionals from the tea community and vertical markets will converge on Las Vegas for the 17th Annual World Tea Expo, June 11-13 at the Las Vegas Convention Center (with a pre-conference program on June 10). The event will feature an exposition with 200+ exhibitors and hundreds of new products, more than 50 educational sessions and workshops, and the first U.S. national qualifying round of the Tea Masters Cup.
“The North American tea industry is US$3.4 billion strong overall, according to Euromonitor International research,” noted Matthew Barry, senior beverages analyst at London-based Euromonitor International and a World Tea Expo speaker. “Herbal tea is currently driving growth and accounting for approximately half of overall tea sales in North America last year, per Euromonitor data. Curated herbal tea blends with specific functionalities are set to be a trend with staying power as functionality continues to be a major draw for consumers in all areas of beverages. I'm looking forward to sharing insights and networking with the community at World Tea Expo 2019.”
Barry, who will speak about “The Herbal TeaOutlook in North America” on June 13 from 8:30 - 9:30 a.m., is one of more than60 experts who will present a cross-section of educational sessions on thelatest tea trends, business-building strategies and industry issues.
Just some of the educational topics on theagenda include: Implementing a Tea Service Strategy to Increase Sales;Opportunities for Tea in Foodservice; Presenting Tea like Wine – ForRestaurants and Their Customers; Bucking Traditional Retail Trends with PrivateLabel Tea; Seven Steps to Building a Successful Online Tea Business; How toBreak into the RTD Game; Making Tea from Leaf to Cup – An Experiential GreenTea Processing Workshop; Bringing CBD to the Mainstream with Tea; and TheFuture of Tea – What Will the Industry Look Like?; among many more.
“World Tea Expocontinues to evolve each year, bringing tea professionals and industry leaderswho raise the bar with new tea innovations and world class education,” saidRona Tison, executive vice president of corporate relations for ITOEN (North America) INC, one of the sponsors and exhibitors. “We are excitedto be bringing our new matcha teas and newly arrived first flush-Shincha to thelively World Tea Expo exhibit floor. The event is the perfect venue toconnect and nurture new business opportunities, all while expandingones knowledge of the ever growing market of tea. Especially, as tea isexpected to grow exponentially in foodservice in the years to come.”
Some of the other companies participating onthe expo floor include: InternationalTea Importers, BrewDr. Kombucha, Dethlefsen& Balk, DMH Ingredients, East Indies Coffee and Tea, RooibosLtd., Flavor Waves, Harney & Sons, Martin Bauer Group, Rishi, t-sacand The TeaSpot.
Among the exciting new additions at World TeaExpo is the first U.S. national qualifying round of the TeaMasters Cup. The Tea Masters Cup is a uniqueinternational system of competitions for tea professionals held in fourdifferent categories: tea preparation, tea pairing, tea mixology and teatasting.
Tony Gebely,the executive director of the American Specialty Tea Alliance, which isbringing the Tea Masters Cup to the United States, said, “If you’re attendingWorld Tea Expo this year, stop by the Tea Master’s Cup stage on June 11 andJune 12, where you’ll be able to witness a pure expression of American teaculture as the contestants compete with the goal of representing the UnitedStates at the international finals later this year. This new U.S. competitionis a milestone in the North American tea community.”
Also new this year is the Kombucha Pavilion.Expo attendees can explore the fermented tea drink with its functional benefitsand learn how to take advantage of this fast-growing segment and its newproduct offerings.
Matt Thomas, founder and CEO of Brew Dr.Kombucha, said, “We are tea brewers that began making kombucha out of ourteahouses over 10 years ago. We believe kombucha is good for everyone,everywhere, and for any occasion. We love sharing our knowledge and passion fortea while pioneering new and exciting beverages, so we’re thrilled to be a partof World Tea Expo 2019 and the Kombucha Pavilion. We invite all attendees tostop by and try our Matcha Boocha recipe along with an invigorating iced teaoption, and to learn how your business can benefit from kombucha.”
World Tea Expo also partnered with the SpecialtyTea Institute (STI) for a series of special one-dayclasses at the expo – all part of STI’s expanding education and certificationprogram. The classes at World Tea Expo include: STI Level One: Foundations ofTea; STI Level Two: Foundations of Tea; and STI Level Four - ProfessionalSeries: Defective Tea Cupping.
Peter Goggi, president of the TeaAssociation of the U.S.A. and the Specialty TeaInstitute, said, “Tea is the most consumed beverage in the world – after water– as well as one of the fastest growing beverages in the United States. The STIsessions at World Tea Expo will help tea and related industry professionalsbecome credentialed and thrive in this market. We’re thrilled that STI is apart of World Tea Expo with these valuable courses.”
Additional World Tea Expo highlights include:the “Tea Business Boot Camp: Beginners” and the new “Tea Business Boot Camp:Advanced”; the New “Origins Tasting Tour Workshop” with a Chance to Win a Tripto Origin; a New Hospitality and Foodservice Educational Track; The World’sRarest Teas – An Exclusive Tasting Event; a Closing Party with The World Tea& Music Festival; the Global Tea Championship Winners Tasting Circle; andthe 6th Annual World Tea Awards.
To register for World Tea Expo, visit https://www.worldteaexpo.com.Follow World Tea Expo on Twitter: @worldteamedia (#WorldTeaExpo or #WTE19).
*Figure perEuromonitor International data. (https://www.euromonitor.com/usa)