As the leading resource for the tea industry, the World Tea Expo delivers a robust marketplace showcasing hundreds of new products and the latest innovations each year to drive business and fuel growth while also providing significant & cutting edge education to foster the art and science of tea for a growing community of tea professionals, merchandisers, research & developers, scientists and entrepreneurs.
SFG Group LLC dba The World Tea Expo launched the first ever trade show dedicated solely to the tea industry in North America, March of 2003. The trade show, Take Me 2 Tea, was held in Las Vegas, Nevada and hosted 65 companies with over 1200 attendees.
After growing more than 200% over two years, the Take Me 2 Tea Expo was re-branded to the World Tea Expo in order to more accurately reflect the growth, scope and position of the trade show in this global industry.
SFG Group LLC is a Nevada-based Limited Liability Company incorporated to produce events and conferences. For more information, please contact George Jage at
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Affiliations
We are proud to be a member of the following organizations:
Management Team
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George Jage – President & Co-Founder
Prior to joining the tea industry, George Jage honed his convention and business acumen when he headed the operations for the launch of a successful apparel trade show in 1993. He has also founded four other businesses before the SFG Group LLC, the parent company of the World Tea Expo. In 2003, George launched the Take Me 2 Tea, the nation’s first tradeshow devoted solely to the tea industry. The result has been a fast-growing industry mirrored and fueled by this fast-growing trade show. In 2005, the Expo was re-branded as the World Tea Expo to more accurately reflect its growth, scope, and position in the international tea industry.
George is a member of numerous business groups, including the Society of Independent Show Organizers, the International Association of Exhibit Managers, and the Entrepreneurs Organization. He also serves on the Advisory Board of the Specialty Tea Institute along with being its 2006 Symposium Chair. In 2004, he was named as one of Tradeshow Week’s “Next Generation of Leaders.”
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Kim Jage – V. P. Sales & Marketing
Before joining the World Tea Expo, Kim held senior sales positions at companies in N.Y.C., New York. The focus of her 10+ years experience developed from launching new start up companies and restructuring established internal sales and marketing systems thereby providing a solid track record of performance in both areas. She is also the sole founder of two other companies.
With a B.A. in International Politics from Hofstra University, Kim was afforded the opportunity to study the EU in Western Europe. She since traveled through countries such as Kenya, Tanzania, Egypt, Jordan, Thailand and China- where, of-course, she fell in love with tea.
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Nate Arkush – Director of Exhibitor Relations
Previous to joining the World Tea Expo, Nate worked in virtually all facets of the food & beverage industry, including fine dining management and multi-unit management. Originally from Kalamazoo, Michigan, he moved to Austin, TX where he graduated with a degree in Culinary Arts. In 2005 Nate moved to Las Vegas to join the World Tea Expo team as a Project Manager and continue his education in hospitality. Within a year Nate was promoted to Operations Manager and in September 2007 was offered his current role as Director of Exhibitor Relations. Nate will complete a B.S. in Hotel Administration from the William F. Harrah Hotel College at UNLV in May 2008. He currently serves as President of the UNLV Chapter of the Professional Convention Management Association along with serving on the Board of Directors for the Southwest Chapter of the International Association of Exhibitions and Events.
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Stacie Woods – Director of Education
Prior to joining the World Tea Expo team, Stacie was Director of Educational Programs for the Specialty Coffee Association of America (SCAA) in Long Beach, California. Her primary focus in this role was the management of educational seminars & hands-on workshops for SCAA’s annual conference and at non-conference venues. Further responsibilities included management of association meetings & events including site visits to coffee producing and consuming countries. Stacie helped establish the Roasters Guild, a trade guild of the SCAA dedicated to the craft of coffee roasting. Originally from California, she earned her B.S. in Marketing from Woodbury University in Burbank, CA. She moved to Las Vegas in 2003 with her husband Brian and they welcomed their son Tanner in September of 2004.
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Kari Grooms – Marketing Manager
Kari Grooms came to the World Tea Expo with marketing experience in the restaurant, real estate and entertainment industries. She earned a B.S. in Entertainment Marketing from Oklahoma City University and eventually relocated to Las Vegas in search of opportunity. Kari served as Marketing Manager for an entertainment company, where she was exposed to the vibrant convention and tradeshow industry of Las Vegas. This led to her joining the World Tea Expo team, where she facilitates the expo’s marketing initiatives. Kari is continuing her education and is expected to graduate with an AAS in Computer and Information Technology in 2009.
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Ji Kyung Kim – Attendee Manager
Originally from Daegu, Korea, Ji Kyung studied Tourism at the Catholic University of Korea and received a full academic scholarship. Following, Ji Kyung attended the University of California Berkeley to master English. In 2004, she transferred to the University of Nevada, Las Vegas to continue her education in Hospitality Administration focusing on Meetings and Events Management. Since 2004 she has been awarded for the Dean’s Honor List and will graduate from UNLV in winter, 2006.
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Leo – World Tea Expo Mascot
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