From launching or growing a new tea venture, to understanding teas from some of the most important tea growing regions around the world, World Tea Expo’s 2019 educational programs offer participants valuable lessons and insights about advancing the business of tea. The event, which runs June 10 – 13, will take place in Las Vegas at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Some of the highlights include the “Tea Business Boot Camp: Beginners” and the new “Tea Business Boot Camp: Advanced” (both taking place on June 10), and the new “Origins Tasting Tour” (June 11).
Tea Business Boot Camps
British tea taster Kevin Gascoyne, a World Tea Expo presenter for the Tea Business Boot Camp in both the Advanced and Beginners programs, said, “Specialty tea has never looked so promising, and no other product has the democratic affordability to reach such a wide demographic with the novelty, diversity and integrity of tea.”
Gascoyne, one of the owners of the Camellia Sinensis Tea Houses and Tea Schools of Montréal and Québec City, encourages tea entrepreneurs and others interested in the business of tea to attend the Boot Camp programs to be more successful in their endeavors. “The 2019 Tea Business Boot Camps will explore how entrepreneurs can introduce their own tea project to the marketplace, by learning the ins and outs and best practices from tea leaders,” he said. “Our group of experienced experts from the business will share the essential elements that make a successful tea company tick.”
In addition to Gascoyne, “Tea Business Boot Camp: Beginners” presenters include: Daniel Lewis, co-founder of T By Daniel; Anupa Mueller, owner of Eco-Prima Tea; Michelle Pierce Hamilton, owner and founder of beTeas Inc. & The Tea Lounge; Tim Smith, chief leaf of The Tea Smith; and Bill Waddington, founder and president of TeaSource. Babette Donaldson, founder of the International Tea Sippers Society, is the emcee of the “Tea Business Boot Camp: Beginners,” as well as a presenter.
Presenters in “Tea Business Boot Camp: Advanced” include: Dan Bolton, publisher of Tea Journey Magazine; Don Ho, founder and CEO of Harmony Tea Bar; Tera Johnson, director of the Food Finance Institute; Christine Kapperman, senior content director of New Hope Network and editor-in-chief of Natural Foods Merchandiser; Alicia Potter, founder and creative director of Faven Creative; and Shabnam Weber, president of the Tea and Herb Association of Canada.
To celebrate the first-ever “Tea Business Boot Camp Advanced,” all Advanced program attendees will receive a 15-minute private mentoring session and be entered into a drawing for a $1,000 door prize from Metropolitan Tea Company.
New & Improved: ‘Origins’ Like You’ve Never Seen It Before
The Origins Tasting Tour will take attendees on an interactive and educational tasting “tour” of some of the most important tea growing regions in the world. This year’s program will cover tea estates and teas from China, India, Sri Lanka, Japan, Nepal, Taiwan, and Korea. Jane Pettigrew, author of World of Tea, will emcee the program, and each region will be presented by a different tea industry leader. Samples will also be given to attendees from the participating countries.
“World Tea Expo’s Origins Tasting Tour has been a popular, sought-after ticket and an often sold-out program,” said Jeni Dodd, CEO and founder of Jeni Dodd Tea, and a presenter at the Origins Tasting Tour. “I’m delighted to be a part of the ‘Tour,’ and I look forward to guiding participants on an amazing journey.”
New for 2019, attendees of the “Origins Tasting Tour” will have three chances to win origin trips to India, Korea, and Nepal (see details at the World Tea Expo website; airfare not included). “Prepare for an adventure of a lifetime,” said Dodd.
In addition to Dodd and Pettigrew, Origins Tasting Tour “guides” include: Shalini Agarwal, chaiwalee and president of Glenburn Tea Direct; Sharyn Johnston, founder and CEO of the Australian Tea Masters; Ravi Pillai, manager of Tea Quality at David’s Tea; Shunan Teng, founder and CEO of Tea Drunk; Rona Tison, senior vice president of corporate relations at ITO EN, North America Inc.; and Thomas Shu, ambassador of Taiwan tea at JT & Tea.
Overall, World Tea Expo 2019 will gather more than 3,000 international professionals from various industries, including grocery and retail, coffee and tea houses, restaurants and foodservice, hotels, manufacturers, distributors, and more. Attendees will gain insights about tea and new ways their business can profit from it, in addition to discovering the latest trends and products.
World Tea Expo 2019
sponsors include: International Tea
Importers, ITO EN, QTrade Teas & Herbs, Dethlefsen & Balk, DMH Ingredients, Flavor Waves, Harney & Sons, Martin Bauer Group, t-sac, and The Tea Spot.
To register for World Tea Expo, visit https://www.worldteaexpo.com. And be sure to follow World Tea Expo on Twitter: @worldteamedia
(#WorldTeaExpo or #WTE19).