The World Tea Conference + Expo is around the corner! The leading specialty tea event takes place March 21-23 in Las Vegas at the Las Vegas Convention Center.
The live and in-person event will feature a “who’s who” of industry leaders, a busy expo floor, insightful educational sessions and workshops, a Tea Bar, Boba Tea Experience, immersive workshops, the Devan Shah Tea Tycoons, Tea Business Incubator, and a special 20th Anniversary Celebration, among other highlights. The event will welcome attendees from the global tea community, as well as buyers from key vertical markets.
Here are nine important things you can expect at this year’s event:
1. Expect to Have an Amazing Time!
The World Tea Conference + Expo is North America’s cannot miss gathering of the specialty tea industry, and it’s focused 100% on specialty teas and related products and education.
Of course, it goes without saying that all attendees will have a great time as they blend fresh ideas, evaluate the latest trends, and discover new distribution channels. It’s the annual tea event that you don’t want to miss.
If you haven’t already registered, you can do so here: WorldTeaExpo.com.
2. Expect Many Exhibitors, New Products – and Lots of Tea!
The World Tea exhibit hall will feature hundreds of new teas, tea wares, brewing accessories and related goods and services.
Just some of the leading brands and tea companies that will be on the expo floor this year include:
--- International Tea Importers
--- Australian Native Products
--- Dethlefsen & Balk
--- DMH Ingredients
--- Eastern Elm
--- Firsd Tea
--- Flowerhead
--- Glenburn Tea Direct
--- Harney & Sons Fine Teas
--- Illa Superfoods
--- Marumatsu Tea Corporation
--- Matche
--- Mennä
--- Metropolitan Tea Company
--- Nepal Tea
--- QTrade Teas & Herbs
--- Sri Lanka Tea Board
--- Sugimoto Tea Company
--- The Chai Box
--- Yichang Xiao's Tea (Group) Co., Ltd.
--- and many more.
3. Expect a celebration for World Tea’s 20th Anniversary
The 2022 World Tea Conference + Expo marks the 20th anniversary of the event, and the tea community is looking forward to celebrating.
Tim McLucas, Vice President, Bar & Restaurant, Questex, said. “The event has gathered for two decades, so it’s time to celebrate this achievement, the people who make up the industry, and how much the tea marketplace has grown in North America since the show began. We look forward to seeing everyone in Las Vegas this spring, as we continue to grow the industry.”
4. Expect Tons of Educational Opportunities, Speakers and Leading Experts
For the conference program, numerous well-known experts will offer lessons for industry players and up-and-coming tea professionals, as well as retailers and vertical market buyers.
Just some of the educational sessions and speakers for 2022 include:
--- “The Journey of Global Tea Trends” – Art Lopez, Marketing Director for Tea, Finlays
--- “Importing & Exporting Tea: Do's & Don'ts” – Nishchal Banskota, Founder, Nepal Tea
--- “From Napa to Nilgiri: How Fine Wine & Quality Tea Have More in Common Than You Think” – Will Battle, Founder, Fine Tea Merchants
--- “Changing Consumer Needs and the Opportunities for Tea” – Matthew Barry, Senior Beverages Consultant, Euromonitor International
--- “Blending Botanicals: Incorporating Herbs into Your Tea Program” – Sara Stewart Martinelli, Owner, The Boulder Dushanbe Teahouse
--- “Boba: The Gateway Drink & More” – Andrew Chau, Co-founder and CEO, Boba Guys
--- “A Partnership of Tea & Beer” – Bryan Hackman, Founder, Cotee River Brewing Co.; Kelly Hackman, Owner, The White Heron Tea & Gifts.
--- “Cold Brew Tea Mixology” – Julia Leach, President, Toddy LLC
--- “Teavana: A Success or Failure” – Naoko Tsunoda, Owner, Key to Teas
--- “Innovation with Tea: How This Resort Has Made Tea a Main Component of Its Wellbeing Philosophy” – Phil Parda, President, World Source International
--- “How to Build a High-profit Online Tea Business in the New Economy” – Dean Jablon, Chief Financial Officer, Lifetime Tea
5. Expect Lots of Networking
As always, there will be plenty of networking opportunities at the World Tea Conference + Expo. Connect over tea with industry colleagues and potential new customers. Meet new people on the show floor or at the 20th Anniversary Celebration. Even walking the halls of the educational sessions or having a drink at the Tea Bar offer moments to connect, make new friends and create new business opportunities.
6. Expect a Tea Bar + Boba Tea Experience
Brand new to the World Tea Conference + Expo – a Boba Tea Experience!
Encounter one of the fastest growing segments of the tea sector and sample a variety of amazing boba teas in a fun and interactive educational setting. Gain the latest knowledge of how this segment is driving new business growth and exciting a fresh set of consumers in North America.
Plus, the Tea Bar returns after a successful debut at the 2021 conference! It’s a great way to sample the latest teas and tea-infused cocktails. Industry leaders will prepare and serve the drinks for attendees to sample and taste.
Tea Bar schedule for March 22 and 23:
12 – 1 p.m. / East Africa Teas
1 – 2 p.m. / Sri Lankan Teas
2 – 4 p.m. / Iced Teas
4 – 6 p.m. / Tea Cocktails
7. Expect to Be Inspired by the ‘Devan Shah Tea Tycoons’ Awards Program
This exciting and newly re-named awards program – first held during the World Tea Virtual Summit in March 2021 – is back for 2022 with a live program in Las Vegas. Formerly called the Tea Tycoons Program and now called the Devan Shah Tea Tycoons, this is an opportunity for new tea businesses to receive the ultimate in marketing exposure.
The Devan Shah Tea Tycoons program celebrates and honors emerging small businesses that are producing innovative products for the global tea industry. Finalists will pitch judges on the expo’s NxT stage, similar to television programs where entrepreneurs pitch their groundbreaking businesses.
Winners will be based on three categories – Unique Customer Relations, Sustainability and Innovation.
Honorees will receive pre-show and onsite recognition at the World Tea Conference & Expo, among other benefits.
8. Expect to Learn from and Realize New Business Opportunities with the Co-Located Bar & Restaurant Expo
World Tea Conference + Expo will be co-located with Bar & Restaurant Expo, North America’s premier conference and expo for the bar and restaurant industry.
Having the two events in the same location provides critical new opportunities for business growth and evolution, in addition to expanding the audience reach for tea, and encouraging innovation and new business partnerships among attendees and exhibitors.
Bar & Restaurant Expo is the go-to resource for the bar and restaurant industry. Mirroring the fast-paced, trend-setting nature of the hospitality industry, the event has been providing the specific tools that bar and restaurant owners, operators and managers need to grow their businesses, compete, and succeed in this hyper-competitive and dynamic industry.
9. Expect Safety Protocols
Last but not least, the health and safety of exhibitors, sponsors and attendees is Questex’s top priority, so you can expect federal and local guidelines to be followed. Questex also crafted unique protocols for each event experience, which includes event specific health and safety initiatives, response team identified for every event and on-site health and safety guidelines. For more details on the on the company’s overall health and safety protocols, as well as other FAQs click here.
Plan to Attend or Participate in the
World Tea Conference + Expo, March 21-23, 2022
Register or plan to exhibit at the World Tea Conference + Expo, March 21-23, 2022, celebrating its 20th anniversary. The event will be co-located with Bar & Restaurant Expo, creating unique opportunities and synergy. Visit WorldTeaExpo.com.
To book your sponsorship or exhibit space at the World Tea Conference + Expo, contact:
Veronica Gonnello
(for companies A to G)
e: [email protected]
p: 212-895-8244
Tim Schultz
(for companies H to Q)
e: [email protected]
p: (917) 258-8589
Fadi Alsayegh
(for companies R to Z)
e: [email protected]
p: 917-258-5174
Also, be sure to stay connected with the World Tea Conference + Expo on social media, for details and insights about the event. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.