George Jage – Director

After 10 years in the trade show industry, George was presented with the idea of a trade show for the tea industry and after some extensive research saw that an emerging community of specialty tea wholesalers lacked a sense of community and identity, and had no true marketplace for their industry.

In 2003, George founded and launched the first North American tea trade show. Since then, World Tea Expo® has been thrice recognized as one of the Fastest 50™ growing events in North America, launched the leading industry news source, the World Tea News®, and created the North American Tea Championship™. World Tea Expo has also in the past held the first ever tea auction on U.S. soil, created and hosted the Top Tea Cocktail Competition™, developed the World Tea Ratings™, publishes the World Tea Buyers’ Guide™, and most recently launched the Tea Infusionist Challenge™.

In 2004, George was named as one of Tradeshow Executive’s “Next Generation of Leaders”. In 2006, George was named by Gourmet News as one of the “Top 20 Under 40” in the specialty food business. In 2008 was given the Nevada Entrepreneur Award by In Business Magazine. And most recently in 2010, George was honored by the University of Nevada Las Vegas with the Jerry Valen Award of Distinction for “Hospitality and Convention Executive of the Year”.

George has served on the Specialty Tea Institute Advisory Board and was chair for the 2005 STI Symposium. He was a member of Young Entrepreneurs’ Organization from 2003 to 2006. Since 2004, George has been a member of SISO (Society of Independent Show Organizers), currently serves as a Board Member, and chaired the 2010 SISO Executive Conference.

Kim Jage – Sales & Marketing Director

Kim is responsible for sales & marketing strategies, objectives and initiatives for all brands and oversees the production of innovative events and content-driven education for tea that fuel the company's Expos.

Under her tenure, World Tea Expo was named as one of TSW Fastest 50™ in 2008 & 2009, and received 1st place "Art of Show" award from 2010 IAEE. Jage also launched 3 products within the World Tea Media portfolio: North American Tea Championship, World Tea Buyer's Guide, and Healthy Beverage Expo. Healthy Beverage Expo is Kim's brainchild.

On a personal note, Kim has traveled to nearly 30 countries - her most recent journey through Bhutan, is a certified SmartFLOW Yogi, and Mother of two.

As Customer Service Representative/Registrar, Edie is responsible for the attendee management and registration process for World Tea Media events. Her responsibilities include customer service and support in communicating all necessary requirements to potential and registered attendees, and facilitation of the VISA application process for international delegates. She also is responsible for on-site registration management.

Prior to joining the World Tea TEAm in 2009, Edie held management positions in various business industries. Originally from northern California, she received her B.A. in Human Services from Holy Names University. For Edie, tea is a necessi-tea… she begins each day with a cup!

Kaye Polivka – Operations Manager

It is Kaye's responsibility to plan, organize, direct, and control all operational and logistic requirements for trade shows, special events, micro-events, and competitions for World Tea Media. Polivka joined World Tea Media in 2010 as Conference Manager, and moved to Operations Manager in 2012. Kaye's background in accounting is beneficial in controlling costs for all our projects.

Kaye has been adjunct faculty at University of Nevada, Las Vegas since 2005, teaching Meetings, Events, Trade Show Operations and other classes related to the hospitality industry. Kaye has two Bachelor's degrees and a Master's degree, has traveled to more than 50 countries, is an amateur photographer, Master Gardener, avid golfer, life-long learner, and is always up for a new challenge.

The weather in Las Vegas is great for growing fruits and vegetables that Kaye incorporates into many of the items she bakes AND most importantly it allows her to play golf year round. 

A San Diego native, Monique moved to Nevada to pursue a Bachelors Degree in Meetings and Events Management at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Little did she know that when searching for an internship, she’d find the World Tea TEAm and an “internship that never ended.” Monique spent two years interning with the Conference program at World Tea Media and eventually took over the role of Conference Manager after completing her degree. Having worked for both large, luxury hotel properties and a smaller, independent planning company, Monique brings this experience into her new role, in which she’s responsible for all planning, content and logistics related to the education program.

Before joining the World Tea team, Becca was the Event Marketing Specialist for Interweave Press in Loveland, Colorado. Additionally, Becca served as the Sustainability Services Specialists for Colorado State University.

A native of Denver, Colorado, Becca received a Bachelor’s of Arts Degree in English Literature from Colorado State University in Fort Collins. As a complete book nerd, there is nothing Becca enjoys more than curling up with a new book and hot cup of black tea!