Only to industry visitors
World Tea Expo is the annual trade event for the $8 billion tea industry (2009), which is expected to grow to an additional $2 billion in two years*. Specialty/ premium tea is driving this growth; it remains the main focus of products, services and education at the World Tea Expo.
Thousands of retailers, tea room owners, distributors, F&B directors, spa managers, specialty grocers, mass merchants and other business professionals attend the Expo to see more than 200 specialty tea suppliers and related vendors exhibit new products and innovations. More than 45% of exhibiting companies exhibit no where else; attending World Tea Expo is an exclusive opportunity to visit these suppliers.
*As reported first in the Sage Group Intl.’s "Specialty Tea is "Hot "Report
Noteworthy events at the Expo include:
* Educational Conference- the most comprehensive education in the world on tea.The Expo offers more than 60 sessions ranging in content:
o New Business Boot Camp designed specifically for entrepreneurs entering the industry.
o Executive & Technical Seminars designed for high-level executives, product formulators and research scientists.
o Core Conference Seminars, Focused Tastings & Skill Building Workshops meets the current needs of established tea room owners, coffee shop owners, retailers, foodservice professionals, spas and grocers.
An average of 64% of attendees at Expo participate in the educational sessions offered each year.
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Keynote Address, Chuck Underwood, founder/principal, The Generational Comparative, teaches clients such as Hewlett Packard, Macy’s, Procter & Gamble, Coca Cola, Time Warner Cable, State Farm Insurance, Edward Jones, U. S. Army, Navy, and Air Force and hundreds more, large and small, how to understand generational differences in the marketplace. At World Tea Expo he will teach us how to reach each generation and get them to drink more tea.
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Industry Night World Tea Expo is proud to bring together the pioneers of the tea industry - those that shaped, fueled and revolutionized the tea industry in the Unites States. These icons, many retired, will share their stories, enlighten us with their vast knowledge, and provide us with insight into how we got to where we are. After the panel discussion, participants of the Expo can mingle with these pioneers and continue discussions at the networking event.
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Tea Infusion Challenge - a competitive event among attendees to determine the best Infusionist: a tea professional (non-manufacturer) that has comprehensive product knowledge, experienced brewing skills, and innate talent to best express teas' characteristics and intended cups. Congratulations Suzette Hammond, 2010 Top Infusionist!
* Tea Championship Winners Tasting Circle - Winners of the North American Tea Championship will offer samples of their winning teas at the Winners Tasting Circle located on the exhibit hall floor. Attendees have the opportunity to meet the winning companies and taste the hot and iced teas for themselves.
