World Tea Conference & Expo 2023: Full Schedule

2:00pm PDT

Registration/Badge Pick-up

Reminder! Bring your registration confirmation and I.D. when picking up your badge. You can also upgrade your pass onsite.

Sunday March 26, 2023 2:00pm - 5:00pm PDT
Las Vegas Convention Center, South Hall

Registration

Registration Pass Tea Guru Pass, Conference Pass, Expo Pass

4:00pm PDT

Meet & Greet - Open to All!

We started the Sunday night Meet & Greet as a way for everyone to say hello and catch up after a year apart. It seems to keep getting larger and more fun each year. In 2023 we are adding a new tea competition Tea Quest centered around our tea culture which will allow you to compete against your fellow tea geeks and win some prizes.
We will ensure that any speakers arriving early will drop by to say hello and that any of the Questex crew or the World Tea Expo Prep crew join us for fun! We will be there to answer any questions and chat about the conference and show floor. Jeni Dodd will be serving her great tea again and offering some complimentary cups for you to keep and we will have some snacks too. Tea fun and getting together again, what could be better? See you all soon.
Everyone is welcome so drop by and say Hello!

Speakers

Faith Bailes

Content & Conference Mgr., Questex/World Tea Expo

FaithAnn Bailes is the Co-Founder of Take Me 2 Tea in 2003 and later rebranded as World Tea Expo. Her current role is Content and Conference Mgr. for World Tea Expo & Questex.She has been involved in the tea industry for over 20 years.

Jeni Dodd

Owner, Jeni Dodd Tea

Jeni Dodd, a native of America's heartland, has traveled to tea-growing regions across the globe in search of the perfect cup of tea. She has visited all of the original tea-producing countries, as well as up-and-coming regions like Nepal, witnessing the hard work and dedication of... Read More →

Sunday March 26, 2023 4:00pm - 6:00pm PDT
Room #S219

Networking, Meet & Greet

Registration Pass Conference Pass, Tea Guru Pass, Expo Pass

7:00am PDT

Registration/Badge Pick-up

Reminder! Bring your registration confirmation and I.D. when picking up your badge. You can also upgrade your pass onsite.

Monday March 27, 2023 7:00am - 6:00pm PDT
Las Vegas Convention Center, South Hall

Registration

Registration Pass Tea Guru Pass, Conference Pass, Expo Pass

7:30am PDT

Tea Business Incubator Test

Please be aware that no one will be admitted 10 minutes after each session starts. If you are late you will have to wait until the next session starts. It is just too disruptive otherwise.

Tea Business Incubator, formally Tea Business Boot Camp, has launched so tea businesses that it makes me proud to be part of the ongoing effort to support all the startups relating to tea. Once someone attends a day of presentations by talented speakers who truly want them to succeed, they seem to become stronger and even more determined to push forward and turn their dream into a reality.
The schedule this year is as follows:
7:30 am to 5:00 pm --- Tea Incubator Business (Guru Pass)
7:30 am to 8:00 am – Getting settled and having a cup of tea and muffin. Emcee Sherolyn Sellers
8:00 am to 9:00 am - Stacie Robertson (Bringing Your Passion to Fruition)
Being your authentic self in your expression of tea makes all the hard things you have to do worth it.
9:15 am to 10:15 am – Jeni Dodd- Objection! Hear Say-- Prevent potential legal pitfalls with your tea business and protect yourself from avoidable fines and penalties.
10:30 am to 11:30 am – Brooklynn Krul – (Using Social Media to Grow a Successful Business.)
There are so many ways to reach your future customers, so let’s narrow it down! Social media in this day and age demands a lot from brands, and it’s easy to get overwhelmed. We are going to look at what makes a tea-based brand “worth a follow”, and how you can eliminate barriers to entry and start posting! Plus, this session will give you tips on creating content calendars, staying on top of trends, and which type of social media to use for your business.
11:30 am to 12:30 pm - Lunch Break (There will be coupons given out for the food court downstairs )
12:30 pm to 1:30 pm – Cody Wade - (Banking on Tea: Establishing a relationship with your banker, everything you need to know to get started.)
1:45 pm to 2:45 pm – Kevin Gascoyne - (The Realities of Buying Tea-Sourcing your product is the core of your business. Kevin discusses the romance and realities of buying tea.)
3:00 pm to 4:15 pm – Sherolyn Sellers (Disruptive Thinking Exercises)
The goal here is to present participants with a task (such as designing a new product or marketing strategy for your company), and then hit them with various disruptions (Covid-19 surges, labor shortages, etc.). Ask attendees to rethink their strategic approach on the fly and push them to be more flexible in their thinking.
4:30 pm to 5:00 pm - Wrap-Up with all 6 Speakers present to answer questions as a panel

Speakers

Kevin Gascoyne

Co-Owner, Camellia sinensis

Kevin first bought tea in Asia in 1989 and has since spent every Spring there as for almost 25 years. Aside from his obsessive quest for Darjeeling’s finest leaf, his interest in the teas of Nepal, Sri Lanka, and the African continent have added these regions to his repertoire.Born... Read More →

Jeni Dodd

Owner, Jeni Dodd Tea

Brooklynn Krul

Marketing and Operations Director, Cornelia Bean

Brooklynn Krul was only eight years old when her parents started Cornelia Bean, a tea and coffee retail business in Winnipeg, Canada, which focuses on quality, sustainability, and wellness. She spent the next fourteen years lending a hand in the business and developing a rich love... Read More →

Sherolyn Sellers

Founder, Urban Tea Company

Since 2006, Sherolyn Sellers has served as the TEO of the Urban Tea Party located in Atlanta, GA. Her mission as TEO is to normalize the daily tea experience, especially for black women. The Urban Tea Party is the essence of Sisterhood, Spirituality, and Soul. In today's session... Read More →

Stacie Robertson

Owner, Tea Market

Stacie RobertsonTea Market Founder and Owner * STI Certified Tea SpecialistCertified Holistic Health Coach * Wellness Lifestyle EducatorTeacher, Speaker, Master Blender

Cody Wade

Blogger & Banker, The Oolong Drunk

Cody Wade has been involved in tea as an influencer and writer for 7+ years. He writes on his blog TheOolongDrunk.com, and is also a regular contributor for World Tea News. Cody has even shifted into making tea accessible by making it entertaining, by hosting a LIVE tea-talk show... Read More →

Monday March 27, 2023 7:30am - 5:00pm PDT
Room #S230

Tea Incubator Sessions

Registration Pass Conference Pass, Tea Guru Pass
Subject GroupFilter
NEW FIELD 1 testingfield

5:30pm PDT

Opening Night Reception - Open to All!

Celebrate the 21st year of World Tea Expo! Included with all registration passes, the Opening Night Reception includes exciting surprises, product from sponsors, and more!

When: Monday, March 27 from 5:30pm-7:30pm
Where: Empire by Zouk at Resorts World Las Vegas (3000 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89109)

You must bring your World Tea badge (or show your registration email confirmation on your phone) and photo ID to enter venue.

Perk! Your World Tea Expo badge also includes admission to the Bar & Restaurant Welcome Kickoff Party! Join 2,000+ colleagues and influencers while enjoying complimentary beverages from sponsors + live entertainment as we kick off the event in style.
When: Monday, March 27, 2023
Time: 6:00pm-8:30pm
Location: Ayu Dayclub at Resorts World Las Vegas

Monday March 27, 2023 5:30pm - 7:30pm PDT
Empire by Zouk at Resorts World

Networking, Opening Night Reception

Registration Pass Conference Pass, Expo Pass, Tea Guru Pass

6:00pm PDT

Perk! Bar & Restaurant Expo Welcome Kickoff Party

After the World Tea Expo Reception, walk over to the Bar & Restaurant Expo Welcome Kickoff Party to mingle, sample complimentary beverages, and meet new suppliers. Just show your World Tea Expo badge at the door!

Monday March 27, 2023 6:00pm - 8:30pm PDT

Networking, Opening Night Reception

Registration Pass Conference Pass, Expo Pass, Tea Guru Pass

7:30am PDT

Conference Tea Break Sponsor - Glenburn Tea - Direct

Enjoy the complimentary tea from Glenburn Direct fine teas from India

Tuesday March 28, 2023 7:30am - 12:00pm PDT
LV Convention Center South Hall Conference Hall

Registration Pass Conference Pass

7:30am PDT

Registration/Badge Pick-up

Reminder! Bring your registration confirmation and I.D. when picking up your badge. You can also upgrade your pass onsite.

Tuesday March 28, 2023 7:30am - 6:00pm PDT
Las Vegas Convention Center, South Hall

Registration

Registration Pass Tea Guru Pass, Conference Pass, Expo Pass

8:00am PDT

A Future Where Everyone Wins-Translating a Living Wage into Reality

“Representing different points in the supply chain, industry experts will discuss contributing factors which suppress tea workers’ wages and potential solutions to ensure a living wage in tea production.”
Panelists will cover:
What is a living wage
Overproduction within the global tea industry
Supply chain structure - “it’s not the middleman”
Specialty v Commodity - differences and similarities
General issues facing agriculture around the world

This will be a lively debate and well worth your time.

Speakers

Will Battle

Director, Fine Tea Merchants

Will Battle has worked in the tea industry for more than 25 years. He started his career at Tetley in the UK and trained in India, Sri Lanka, Kenya, and Malawi. He has blended for factories in consumption markets as diverse as Australia, Pakistan, Europe, Russia, South Africa, and... Read More →

Jeni Dodd

Owner, Jeni Dodd Tea

Jem McDowall

Vice President, Universal Commodities (Tea) Trading, Inc.

Jem McDowall is Vice-President at Universal Commodities, New York. Jem started his career in 1984 joining Lipton in London. After six years in Sri Lanka and Malawi as a buyer-exporter, he moved to a development role for markets as diverse as Morocco and Uzbekistan, finally managing... Read More →

Henrietta Lovell

Owner, Rare Tea Company

Henrietta Lovell is known around the world as the Rare Tea Lady. She is the founder and master blender of the award-winning, global brand, Rare Tea Company. Since 2000 Henrietta has been traveling the world, working directly with small independent tea gardens, from the Shire Highlands... Read More →

Tuesday March 28, 2023 8:00am - 9:30am PDT
Room #S224

Full Conference Session, Issues & Trends

Registration Pass Conference Pass, Tea Guru Pass

8:00am PDT

Boba Bootcamp

Join Thomas Liu and Stacey Kwong, the founders of Loose Leaf Boba Company and MILK+T in an immersive boot camp experience, detailing the ins and outs of the boba industry and its cultural significance.
Whether you've never heard of boba or you're someone interested in opening their very own shop, Thomas and Stacey will walk you through their story of beating the odds, surviving a pandemic, and coming out on top. From menu development to building a healthy team and workplace, they will walk you through how they opened up their combined 12 nationwide stores and counting.

The boba industry was considered a fad when it first debuted in the US in the 1990s. 30 years later, they're here to tell you that it's not and that this $4B industry is here to stay. So join us for Boba Bootcamp at the World Tea Conference and let's get #bobawasted!

Speakers

Stacey Kwong

Co-Owner, MILK+T

Stacey Kwong was born and raised in Los Angeles, California, to immigrant Chinese parents. From reselling phones in high school, to starting a failed clothing line in college, it was as if she was wired to start her own business.She and her business partner found success through boba... Read More →

Thomas Liu

Co-Owner, Loose Leaf Boba

Thomas Liu is the founder of Loose Leaf Boba Company. He started selling boba in a Swap Meet with his Co-Founder/Wife in 2012 after high school. While attending college full time, in 2014, he opened his first brick-and-mortar boba shop in West Covina, CA called BYOB Boba Company... Read More →

Tuesday March 28, 2023 8:00am - 9:30am PDT
Room #S219

Full Conference Session, Product Knowledge

Registration Pass Conference Pass, Tea Guru Pass

8:00am PDT

Thriving for 200 years. A Success Story that Started in 1823 to Present

Jan will cover online business, retail business, and food service. He will include a how-to guide to being successful as a tea company in different markets, channels, and communities. He will show you how to reinvent yourself as a company and how to survive two world wars, covid, and supply challenges.

Speakers

Jan-Berend Holzapfel

Owner, Teehaus Ronnefeldt

Jan-Berend Holzapfel is the General Manager and owner of the J. T. Ronnefeldt KG. In this function, he concentrates on both the company’s overall direction and the development of its international business. He oversees the strategic development of new products and service concepts... Read More →

Tuesday March 28, 2023 8:00am - 9:30am PDT
Room #S221

Full Conference Session, Ecommerce

Registration Pass Conference Pass

8:00am PDT

Tea Incubator Skills Breakout

Now is the time to roll up your sleeves and get into the skills of running a tea business. Chris MacNitt will share his wealth of knowledge on Sensory/Cupping & Blending. If you want to have fun and experience some great hands-on education be sure to join Chris for the first time ever Incubator Skills Session.
8:00 am to 12:00 pm Tea Incubator Skills Breakout
8:00 am to 9:30 am Sensory Evaluation
9:45 am to 10:15 am Cupping
10:30 am to 12:00 Noon Blending

Speakers

Chris MacNitt

Tea Development Lead, Starbucks

Chris Johnston/MacnittChris Johnston started his tea journey at eight years old and grew up in his family’s tea business. Steeped in passion, he joined Teas Etc. at nineteen to develop their tea blends and manage their raw material quality. While working for Teas Etc. In 2016, he... Read More →

Tuesday March 28, 2023 8:00am - 12:00pm PDT
Room #S230

Tea Incubator Sessions, Tea Incubator Skills Breakout

Registration Pass Conference Pass, Tea Guru Pass

9:45am PDT

50 Practical Tips, Hacks, Strategies and Ideas to Inspire You

50 practical tips, hacks, strategies, and ideas to inspire you with ways to grow your business, and take it to the next level. The fusion of brick-and-mortar and online retail presents challenges and opportunities you can leverage to turn traction into momentum for consistent growth. Get marketing tips, ideas for in-store events, and ways to create a loyal following excited to see what you'll do next. Tips to integrate your online presence and your in-store experience seamlessly that create great customer satisfaction, and 5-star reviews. Strategies that empower your staff to utilize their unique talents to become fully invested in your mission and save you money. From best practices to creative ideas that can be free or nearly free to make the right strategic investments at the right time that really pay off.

Speakers

Stacie Robertson

Owner, Tea Market

Stacie RobertsonTea Market Founder and Owner * STI Certified Tea SpecialistCertified Holistic Health Coach * Wellness Lifestyle EducatorTeacher, Speaker, Master Blender

Tuesday March 28, 2023 9:45am - 10:45am PDT
Room #S221

Full Conference Session, Product Knowledge

Registration Pass Conference Pass, Tea Guru Pass

9:45am PDT

Intent-Based Advertising

For tea business owners who want to learn how to promote their business online, Mackenzie's session "Intent-Based Advertising" helps you establish a clear focus.

Because this session will discuss each promotional tactic within the unique context of a brick-and-mortar and online tea business, it's relevant to all tea business owners.

This session will cover tactics like:

Facebook ads
Google ads
Instagram ads
Google Business Profile

Speakers

Mackenzie Bailey

Founder, Steeped Content

Mackenzie Bailey is the founder of Steeped Content; she helps tea companies grow with digital marketing. She has expertise in the tea sector, agency experience, and a strong educational background. Mackenzie holds an MSc in Marketing Strategy & Innovation, a BCom with an Entrepreneurship... Read More →

Tuesday March 28, 2023 9:45am - 10:45am PDT
Room #S219

Full Conference Session, Ecommerce

Registration Pass Conference Pass, Tea Guru Pass

9:45am PDT

Tea into the Future: Understanding and Managing Change

Mr. Goggi will examine the top issues facing the tea industry in the near and medium future. He will offer up his thoughts on possible actions the industry can take to mitigate some of the critical impacts.

Don't miss this chance to meet and ask questions to the President of the Tea Association of the USA

Speakers

Peter Goggi

President, Tea Association of the USA

Peter began his career at Unilever and spent over 32 years working with Lipton Tea as part of Royal Estates Tea Co. Peter was the first American-born Tea Taster in the history of T.J. Lipton/Unilever and was featured on The History Channel’s Modern Marvels.His career at Unilever... Read More →

Tuesday March 28, 2023 9:45am - 10:45am PDT
Room #S224

Full Conference Session, Issues & Trends

Registration Pass Conference Pass, Tea Guru Pass

9:45am PDT

Training is Everything: Education is critical to making tea a successful part of your business.

Education is critical to making tea a successful part of your business.
Where once tea was a forgotten footnote, it now finds its place as a part of any successful drinks and training program.

Providing your team the knowledge and expertise to talk about, make and serve truly exemplary tea not only enhances the tea (and sales) but increases motivation and staff retention within your business. Give staff and customers alike the opportunity to fall deeply in love with the tea you serve, and build long time pride and loyalty in what you do as a business.

Speakers

Henrietta Lovell

Owner, Rare Tea Company

Jack Clay

Global Head of Sales and Development, The Rare Tea Company

Jack Clay is the Global Head of Sales and Development for Rare Tea Company, London. He has a vast wealth of knowledge in developing and implementing training programs across retail and hospitality - and across the globe from Macau to Beverley Hills. Jack is a highly engaging speaker... Read More →

Tuesday March 28, 2023 9:45am - 10:45am PDT
Room #S226

Full Conference Session, Staff Training & Operations

Registration Pass Conference Pass, Tea Guru Pass

11:00am PDT

Better Management Through Common Sense

"Not being all things to all people". The demands of the consumer appear to be myriad, as are the offerings available to them with, literally, thousands of companies now offering tea products online, supposedly answering the questions asked of them. So how do you not end up in a dithering heap on the floor?
This talk takes a common sense look at what really matters and will matter and how to stop pandering to the consumer before considering the consequences to your business. In fact, it will suggest that business metrics first, and offerings second is a practical way to develop a company strategy.
From sustainability to product portfolios and what they deliver, we shall look at "Better management through Uncommon sense"

Speakers

John Snell

Owner/CEO, Ela's Tea Co. NMTeaB Consultancy

Tuesday March 28, 2023 11:00am - 12:00pm PDT
Room #S221

Full Conference Session, Product Knowledge

Registration Pass Conference Pass, Tea Guru Pass

11:00am PDT

Embracing Change: An Optimistic Outlook For Tea

Changing demographics are shifting the way consumers look at and interact with the world and in turn what they expect from their products. How can the tea industry respond to these changes to set ourselves up for success. Join Shabnam Weber as she discusses trends and insights in a changing marketplace.

Speakers

Shabnam Weber

President, Tea and Herbal Association of Canada

For almost two decades, Shabnam Weber owned and operated her own tea company in Toronto, Canada. With retail stores and a wholesale business, her company was one of the first of its kind in Toronto. Her passion and love of tea led her to become involved with the Tea and Herbal Association... Read More →

Tuesday March 28, 2023 11:00am - 12:00pm PDT
Room #S224

Full Conference Session, Mixed

Registration Pass Conference Pass, Tea Guru Pass

11:00am PDT

The Personal Journey of a Female Tea-Maker

Muskan discusses being a female tea-maker in a man’s world, how she learned her trade, her mission and the main obstacles she has faced in her tea journey. Since the inception of the Tea Studio, the innovative tea factory in the Nilgiri Hills of Tamil Nadu, Muskan Khanna has been making quite a name for herself. As Head of Operations with an all-female team, unknown in the male-dominated industry of the region, she has won various business awards and developed a reputation as an exceptional tea maker and team leader.
Accompanied by Kevin Gascoyne of Camellia Sinensis also a partner in the Tea Studio project, Muskan discusses how she learned her trade, her work, her mission and the main obstacles she has faced in her tea journey.

Speakers

Muskan Khanna

Head of Operations, Tea Studio

I call myself a ‘Tea Child’. Born on a tea estate, the daughter of a tea planter in Upper Assam.The family having had to relocate to Dubai when I was all of 5 and then on to Sri Lanka a decade later, my shallow roots in tea had literally withered away. Stepping into my adult life... Read More →

Tuesday March 28, 2023 11:00am - 12:00pm PDT
Room #S226

Full Conference Session, Mixed

Registration Pass Conference Pass, Tea Guru Pass

12:00pm PDT

Expo Hall - Tea Bar + Beverage Samples

Tea Bar is a dynamic experience at World Tea Expo showcasing the latest teas, tea products, mocktails, cocktails, and innovation that is shaping the industry.

Located in the center of the expo floor, sample the latest teas from around the world and network with suppliers, distributors, and your peers while learning how teas and innovative products are shaping the future of the tea industry. Open to all attendees during expo hall hours!

Learn more and view sponsors here

Tuesday March 28, 2023 12:00pm - 6:00pm PDT
Las Vegas Convention Center, South Hall

Expo Highlights, Tea Bar

Registration Pass Conference Pass, Tea Guru Pass, Expo Pass

12:00pm PDT

Expo Hall Hours

Explore the interactive Expo Hall Floor, find new products, sample new flavors hitting the market, learn, and grow your business!

Tuesday March 28, 2023 12:00pm - 6:00pm PDT
Las Vegas Convention Center, South Hall

Expo Highlights

Registration Pass Conference Pass, Expo Pass, Tea Guru Pass

4:00pm PDT

Expo Hall - NxT Stage, Devan Shah Tea Tycoons Contest Finals

Devan Shah Tea Tycoons is a contest showcasing New Business Innovations. This will be the 3rd year we bring together the new pioneers building the Tea Industry for future consumers. What will they bring to the table? Come to the Nxt stage on Tuesday from 4:00 to 5:00 pm and watch 9 contestants in 3 different categories battle it out for the title of Winner of Tea Tycoons in their category.

Camellia sinensis Focused Company:- A product that celebrates tea with a focus on the unique characteristics of Camellia sinensis because of its origin/terroir: First year for this category.
Sustainability: Focuses on meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs.
Innovation: Dynamic, New Idea, Method, or Device that demonstrates clear value for the Tea Industry

Tea Tycoons 2022 docx

Tuesday March 28, 2023 4:00pm - 5:00pm PDT
Show Floor - Nxt Stage

Expo Highlights, Nxt Stage

Registration Pass Conference Pass, Expo Pass, Tea Guru Pass

5:15pm PDT

Expo Hall - NxT Stage, Best of Awards

We moved the Best of Awards to the Nxt Stage. We will be presenting the winners with their trophies Tuesday night right after the Tea Tycoons Pitch session.

Tuesday March 28, 2023 5:15pm - 5:45pm PDT
Show Floor - Nxt Stage

Expo Highlights, Nxt Stage

Registration Pass Conference Pass, Expo Pass, Tea Guru Pass

7:00pm PDT

Kevin Gascoyne's Rarest Tea Tasting (SOLD OUT)

This has been one of our most successful events of the Conference, so if you are interested please purchase your ticket now! There is a cap of 40 and no one will be let into the event after 7:00 pm. The room is transformed into a soft lite room with soothing music and only the finest teas will be served.

This is such a memorable experience for all.

SOLD OUT

Speakers

Kevin Gascoyne

Co-Owner, Camellia sinensis

Tuesday March 28, 2023 7:00pm - 8:30pm PDT
Room #S230

Rarest Tea Tasting, Evening Education Session

Registration Pass Conference Pass, Tea Guru Pass, Add on ticket

7:30am PDT

Registration/Badge Pick-up

Reminder! Bring your registration confirmation and I.D. when picking up your badge. You can also upgrade your pass onsite.

Wednesday March 29, 2023 7:30am - 5:00pm PDT
Las Vegas Convention Center, South Hall

Registration

Registration Pass Tea Guru Pass, Conference Pass, Expo Pass

8:00am PDT

Hacking Digital Sales: Turn Rapidly Evolving Trends into Assets

Staying on top of digital selling trends in a rapidly evolving world. Join this panel of pros to discuss all the necessary steps that you will need to take to become a savvy digital powerhouse. Learn from the founders of these successful companies on how they used digital marketing to build their companies.

Moderators

Brooklynn Krul

Marketing and Operations Director, Cornelia Bean

Speakers

Jamila Wright

Co-Owner, Brooklyn Tea

Jamila McGill is a proud native of Southwest Atlanta. After graduating summa cum laude from Spelman College in 2010, she became an elementary school teacher in Bedstuy, Brooklyn, NY. While pursuing her Masters in Early Childhood Development, Jamila rose to become Dean of Students... Read More →

Nishchal (Nish) Banskota

Owner, Nepal Tea

Nishchal Banskota is a 2nd generation tea producer and the founder of Nepal Tea which directly brings certified organic teas from Nepal to the American market. His vision is to create a tech-enabled transparent tea trade that bridges the gap between the primary producers and consumers... Read More →

Alfonso Wright

Co-Owner, Brooklyn Tea

We're fascinated by tea. It’s natural, healthy, and has a variety of tastes and benefits. Preparing tea can be as simple as pouring boiling water over a handful of dried leaves or as complex as discovering the exact time and temperature for the “perfect cup” of your favorite... Read More →

Wednesday March 29, 2023 8:00am - 9:00am PDT
Room #S224

Full Conference Session, Current Trends

Registration Pass Conference Pass, Tea Guru Pass

8:00am PDT

Is There GMO in My Tea?

"Stands the church clock at ten to three,
And is there GMO in my tea?"
As Rupert Brookes' famous lines might be written today.
Certainly, when in 1912 Brookes was looking forward to honey with his tea, there was no possibility of transgenic meddling with his Camellia sinensis. But today - who knows?
Are molecular biologists brewing up new tea DNA? Are GMO tea cultivars taking over the fields? Has Monsanto tinkered with your teabag?
Unthinkable - or is it?
Find out the true state of play in tea breeding - Nigel Melican has been penetrating the veil of secrecy and will answer all these questions - and more.

Speakers

Nigel Melican

Owner, Teacraft Technical Services

Nigel Melican has 42 years of hands-on experience in all facets of the tea industry, providing technical guidance to clients in 32 countries – from green tea feasibility in Australia to tea extracts in Zimbabwe. Latterly he has progressed from assisting large-scale commodity tea... Read More →

Wednesday March 29, 2023 8:00am - 9:00am PDT
Room #S220

Full Conference Session, Product Knowledge

Registration Pass Conference Pass, Tea Guru Pass

8:00am PDT

Print Vs. Digital: Knowing the Difference

Wondering how to get your product or business noticed and featured in print publications or online? Are printed magazines and books a thing of the past? Is digital better? What is the best fit for you? These are just some of the questions Lorna Reeves will cover as she explains best practices for working with media.

Speakers

Lorna Reeves

Editor, TeaTime Magazine

Editor, TeaTime Magazine (Hoffman Media) and Jane Pettigrew’s World of Tea (83Press)Lorna Reeves was introduced to the pleasures of afternoon tea at the Williamsburg Inn many years ago, and it wasn’t long before tea drinking became an essential part her daily routine. While... Read More →

Wednesday March 29, 2023 8:00am - 9:00am PDT
Room #S219

Full Conference Session, Issues & Trends

Registration Pass Conference Pass, Tea Guru Pass

8:00am PDT

This is Your Brain on Tea

As research into tea ingredients continues to grow so does the body of evidence in support of brain health. This presentation will provide an up-to-date discussion on studies which support the brain benefits in a cup of tea.
Benefits include: cognitive, improved focus, mood support, decreased dementia risk, and a more balanced stress response. We will introduce scientific concepts and tea-based research studies in an easy to understand and engaging format.
What happens to your brain on tea?... You’re going to find out!

Speakers

Nada Milosavljevic, M.D., J.D.

Founder & CEO, Sage Tonic

Dr. Nada Milosavljevic (“Dr. Nada”) is the author of the critically-acclaimed book, Holistic Health for Adolescents, and the Founder and CEO of Sage Tonic, an innovative holistic program for wellness. Proceeds from Sage Tonic benefit high school students to provide education... Read More →

Wednesday March 29, 2023 8:00am - 9:00am PDT
Room #S221

Full Conference Session, Health & Wellness

Registration Pass Conference Pass, Tea Guru Pass

9:15am PDT

From Farm to TeaCup: Grown Locally

From Farm to TeaCup: Grown Locally
The popularity of local-everything keeps trending up. From local beer and cafes instead of chain establishments to locally sourced fiber for clothing. Local is hot. So then, why not local tea? But what is local to you, what native plants can you source sustainably? Let’s talk farm to teacup. Learn who, how, when, and why local fruit, flowers, herbs & honey can benefit your bottom line & customer base.

Speakers

Cass Ruhlman

Founder, Antiquity TeaHouse & KinShip

Cass Ruhlman did not grow up around tea, but she did grow up around gardens while living in Florida and North Carolina. She also grew up with the entrepreneurial spirit evident from her family's small hotel business. The love and appreciation for tea came during college while she... Read More →

Wednesday March 29, 2023 9:15am - 10:15am PDT
Room #S224

Full Conference Session, Issues & Trends

Registration Pass Conference Pass, Tea Guru Pass

9:15am PDT

Reaching Out to an Untouched Audience: Welcoming the Next Generation of Tea Drinkers

Join us to learn more about how we can reach new audiences and welcome them into the delicious world of tea that we are a part of. From sports clubs, to girl scout troops, to college campuses, and right into the family home we will explore all the ways to not only locate new groups of people but also how to speak and engage with them in an inviting way.

Speakers

Justine Duquette

Co-Owner, Cup of Communitea

Justine: As both the Co-owner of Cup of Communitea and, by day, a leadership project manager Justine has an eye for programming and a passion for education. Taking her skills to the tea world she has helped to develop educational tea programming that is inclusive to all.

Melissa Duquette

Co-Owner, Cup of Communitea

Co-owner of Cup of Communitea, a K-12 English as a Second Language Instructional Coach, and a mom of two. Some may think those are three very different roles but Melissa enjoys finding ways to weave them together to create inclusive educational tea programming for all ages and ba... Read More →

Wednesday March 29, 2023 9:15am - 10:15am PDT
Room #S219

Full Conference Session, Staff Training & Operations

Registration Pass Conference Pass

9:15am PDT

The Healing Power of Tea: Using Ayurveda & Tea

Ayurveda is one of the world's oldest holistic healing systems, developed thousands of years ago in India before the creation of Western medicine. Ayurveda dictates that one may be able to achieve optimal health and wellness through the proper balance between mind, body, spirit, and environment. Learn more about how drinking tea may support your daily wellness goals in this discussion led by Art of Tea Founder, graduate of the Ayurvedic Institute, and #1 Amazon best-selling author, Steve Schwartz. Steve has helped create tea programs worldwide, from Los Angeles to Japan to the Maldives, using his passion for Ayurveda as the inspiration behind Art of Tea’s blends.

Wednesday March 29, 2023 9:15am - 10:15am PDT
Room #S220

Full Conference Session, Product Knowledge

Registration Pass Conference Pass, Tea Guru Pass

9:15am PDT

What on Earth is in Your TeaCup

Chemistry is why you love tea. What molecules make up your cup of tea depends upon many factors including where your tea was grown, when it was harvested and how it was processed and prepared. You might be surprised to learn how many healthy compounds are in tea and the microscopic worlds they come from. Join us as we explore the unique relationships tea plants share with microorganisms in their environment and how these interactions enhance the chemistry of the cup.

Speakers

Jacqulyn Gervey-Hague

Professor, UC Davis

Jacquelyn Gervay-Hague earned B.S. (1985) and Ph.D. (1990) degrees from The University of California, Los Angeles working with Professor Michael Jung. She then moved to Yale University as a NIH Postdoctoral Fellow in the laboratory of Professor Samuel Danishefsky. In 1992, Professor... Read More →

Wednesday March 29, 2023 9:15am - 10:15am PDT
Room #S221

Full Conference Session, Health & Wellness

Registration Pass Conference Pass, Tea Guru Pass

10:30am PDT

Experiential Retail

The face of retail has changed drastically over the last few years. The pandemic accelerated a large scale move to internet shopping and client behaviour has been permanently shifted. But there are elements of the shopping experience that cannot be reproduced virtually. Tea companies have an opportunity to take advantage of a general need for human contact, visceral connection to the product and information exchange. A carefully hosted shop visit can become an event in itself and may be the distinction that will keep the tradition of visiting the local tea shop alive.

Speakers

Kevin Gascoyne

Co-Owner, Camellia sinensis

Wednesday March 29, 2023 10:30am - 12:00pm PDT
Room #S224

Full Conference Session, Issues & Trends

Registration Pass Conference Pass, Tea Guru Pass

10:30am PDT

LWYRUP: Better Call Jeni

Jeni Dodd, a Lawyer, and tea business importer, will cover Subscription Services, Legal Implications, and a courtroom full of issues that you will need to be aware of on your tea business journey. Jeni will help you find the balance between profit and compliance. Legal red tape dragging you down? Don't get paralyzed, don't get fined, get profitable and legal.

Speakers

Jeni Dodd

Owner, Jeni Dodd Tea

Wednesday March 29, 2023 10:30am - 12:00pm PDT
Room #S220

Full Conference Session, Product Knowledge

Registration Pass Conference Pass, Tea Guru Pass

10:30am PDT

Tea & Chocolate Pairing: A Match Made in Heaven

Everybody knows that tea and chocolate complement each other perfectly when the right match is
made. Questions that might pop up when starting with chocolate are: How do I start pairing chocolates with my tea products? How to define the matching chocolate flavor? Which are typical
chocolate flavors? In this 90-minute workshop, Stijn will answer these questions and teach you the essentials to get you going and create your own tea and chocolate workshops for your business. Of course, we will
not keep it too theoretical but will pair different chocolates with the teas of some producers present at the expo.
We start with a short explanation of what chocolate is and the history behind chocolate,
followed by chocolate-tasting techniques. Next, we will explore pairing chocolate with tea and
indulge ourselves with excellent Belgian chocolate and tasteful teas. The combinations we make are
based on pure single-origin chocolate, bean- to- bar and chocolate bonbons from award-winning
Belgian chocolatiers.
This session is limited to 75 attendees, on a first come first serve basis We just increased the capacity for more attendees!

Key takeaways
• Step-by-step guide to creating your own workshop
• Teaching you how to taste chocolate
• Insights into other things you can do with chocolate for your business

Speakers

Stijn VanSchoonlandt

Director, Kruze

Stijn Van Schoonlandt grew up in the food industry and his passion for food and exotic flavors istherefore no surprise. He runs the coffee and tea business Kruze in Belgium, the chocolate capital ofthe world. Besides roasting his own coffees and making his own tea blends, Stijn works... Read More →

Wednesday March 29, 2023 10:30am - 12:00pm PDT
Room #S219

Full Conference Session, Product Knowledge

Registration Pass Conference Pass, Tea Guru Pass

10:30am PDT

Tea is for Tranquility

A 90-minute seminar with mindfulness tea meditation. We will delve into the history of meditation and tea as well as the science behind why these two pair so well together.

The legend of the meditating Buddhist monks who meditated so long his eyelids turned into the first tea plant
The use of tea for calming or stimulating depending on what you need for your meditation
The act of preparing the tea lending to the meditation mindset
The specific herbal teas historically used for meditation and healing

There will be tea served to mediate with and a guided tea meditation. Souvenir tea cups will be provided.
The meditation will primarily take place on the floor, but accommodations will be made for those who do not have the ability to sit that way. A meditation pillow or yoga mat is recommended but not needed. There will be some light stretching and movement to settle into the seminar.
Attire should be casual, yoga or workout clothes not necessary, but there will be movement and sitting on the floor. Shoes would ideally be removed, but we may have to go with the guidelines of the building.

There is a 50-person limit during this session.

Speakers

Madison Andre

Co-Owner, Amarissa Woods Teas & Spices

Madison Andre is co-owner of Amarissa Woods Teas & Spices in Chillicothe, Ohio. She has loved tea since she was a little girl, curling up with a mug and watching T.V. with her mom, Cristy, who opened their shop at farmer's markets and festivals in 2010. Madison is a creator at heart... Read More →

Wednesday March 29, 2023 10:30am - 12:00pm PDT
Room #S221

Full Conference Session, Health & Wellness

Registration Pass Conference Pass, Tea Guru Pass

12:00pm PDT

Expo Hall - Tea Bar + Beverage Samples

Wednesday March 29, 2023 12:00pm - 5:00pm PDT
Las Vegas Convention Center, South Hall

Expo Highlights, Tea Bar

Registration Pass Conference Pass, Tea Guru Pass, Expo Pass

12:00pm PDT

Expo Hall Hours

Explore the interactive Expo Hall Floor, find new products, sample new flavors hitting the market, learn, and grow your business!

Wednesday March 29, 2023 12:00pm - 5:00pm PDT
Las Vegas Convention Center, South Hall

Expo Highlights

Registration Pass Conference Pass, Expo Pass, Tea Guru Pass