Business Development

Will Tea Ever be as Big as Coffee? Panel Discussion with Market Leaders 

Friday, June 1, 8:00 - 9:30 a.m.

In the U.S. there are over 25,000 coffee shops and - best estimates suggest - around 3,500 tea retail locations. Can the tea retail market catch up to coffee in size? Will the coffee retailers absorb much of the projected growth in tea sales? In recent years, a new breed of tea retailer has spawned and many have secured success in multiple locations. Will this rising tide float all boats? You will not want to miss this uniquely insightful panel discuss the future of the tea retail market. 
Moderator: George Jage, President, World Tea Media

Panelists:

David Bellisario, President, Teaopia
Charles Cain, Vice President, Tazo Merchant & Operations, Starbucks
Joseph Cugine, President, Argo Tea
David De Candia, Director of Tea, Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf

Competing with the "Big Guys"

Friday, June 1, 9:45 - 10:45 a.m.

In the ever changing industry we are a part of, how does a small business owner with a passion for a product compete with the big guys who are on a race to open as many stores as possible? You may not have the capital to compete with the sheer volume of stores they are opening...but you have something they don't. Learn what that is. 
Speaker: Shabnam Weber, Owner, The Tea Emporium Inc.

Federal Trademark Registration: Are You Ready?

Friday, June 1, 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

After many agonizing "do-overs" you have finally settled on a great name and logo. Are you ready to file for trademark protection? Come discover the nuts and bolts of filing for Federal Trademark protection, including the costs involved, and receive guidance on when to turn it over to an expert. 
Speaker: Kristen Schneider, Small Business Consultant, Kristen Schneider Consulting

RealiTea: The Real Life Evolution of a Tea Store

Saturday, June 2, 8:00 - 9:30 a.m.  

We just opened our 3rd store. Come share the entire journey. Scouting locations, working with landlords, lawyers, architects, contractors, inspectors, staffing, training, missteps, marketing, Grand Opening, and beyond. We’ll share all financial data; where we saved money, where we lost money (or time), and what we would have done different. You’ve heard of reality TV, this is reality tea store. 
Speaker: Bill Waddington, Owner, TeaSource

Credit & Debit Card Fees: How I Slashed my Fees by 43%

Saturday, June 2, 9:45 - 10:45 a.m.

Compared with just a few years ago the number of people paying for transactions with plastic has skyrocketed. And so have the fees that retailers pay to merchant card processors. This class will show you how to assess merchant companies, their plans and how to pay the least possible amount in fees.
Speaker: Jack Groot, Coffee Industry Consultant 

Doing Well by Doing Good in the Premium Tea Industry

Saturday, June 2, 9:45 - 10:45 a.m.

Social responsibility has an important role in the American premium tea industry. Rarely does an emerging market have the opportunity to benefit the community as broadly. Premium leaf tea will bring nutritional benefits to the masses. This prospect creates an obligation to grow and promote the premium tea market responsibly. 
Speaker: Maria Uspenski, Founder and CEO, The Tea Spot

A New, Exciting Dawn for Japanese Tea!

Saturday, June 2, 9:45 - 10:45 a.m.

Following a turbulent 2011 harvest year filled with much confusion and misinformation regarding radiation contamination, Japan is poised to resume its growing presence in the tea industry. 2012 Japanese harvests brings a new dawn, and you will need to be prepared! It is an era to be excited, opportunities are brewing! 
Speaker: Chip Creitz, Program Developer/Coordinator, Tastings Coordinator, Moderator, TeaChat.com

Supply Chain Transparency: 3 Part Panel Discussion

Saturday, June 2, 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Join this in-depth discussion covering sustainability and supply chain ethics. The conversation begins with certifying organizations and a look at self-certification, followed by the cost-benefits to the licensees; their missions, their brands, and their bottom lines. Finally, a panel of producers will discuss if the promise of transparency is making a positive change in the industry. 
Moderator: Dan Bolton, Editor, World Tea News

Panelists:

Maya Albanese, Business Development CPG, Rainforest Alliance
Anu Huhtisaari, Programme Manager, Ethical Tea Partnership
Keith Hutjens, Director of Tea Procurement, Tazo 
Beth Johnston, Founder & CEO, Teas Etc. 
Joshua Kaiser, CEO, Rishi Tea 
Nora Pittenger, Business Development CPG, Fair Trade USA
Sanje Widyaratne, Walters Bay Bogawantalawa Estates

Customer Advisory Boards: A Good Business Move

Saturday, June 2, 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. 

Your frequent, loyal customers are perhaps one of your most under-utilized assets. Loosely organizing these devotees into a Customer Advisory Board will easily yield immediate, and unforeseen, benefits. This group holds insights and expertise into areas that are definitely ‘outside-the-box’ input for your business that will improve your bottom line. 
Speaker: Carl Easton, Owner, Chris' Tea Cottage

Developing a QA Plan from Beginning to End

Skill Building Workshop

Saturday, June 2, 1:00 - 4:00 p.m.

This hands-on class will help any business develop a quality assurance plan from the development stage through purchasing of raw ingredients through production of finished goods through passing all third party audits. A comprehensive QA plan is vital to successfully maintaining consistency for cup to cup. 
Speaker: Scott Svihula, Teasmith, China Mist Brands

Save Money and Your Sanity by Hiring, Training and Retaining the Right People

Sunday, June 3, 8:00 - 9:30 a.m. 

Learn easy, effective and useful tips on how to recruit the RIGHT people for your business. Take away interview skills to hire the right person for the job. Learn to effectively train new team members with a proven program that works. Realize what it takes to retain your best people. This interactive workshop teaches the confidence and skills necessary to hire, train and retain quality people. 
Speaker: Ellen Leaf-Moore, Owner, Fezziwig's Marketplace

Design Elements for a Tea Shop

Sunday, June 3, 8:00 - 9:30 a.m. 

Many solid business plans have fallen short when implemented because they failed to create an identity for the project. Elements of a successful shop for today’s consumer include format and floor plan, developing a customer appropriate “menu”, mapping the order process, and more. This session includes suggestions of distinguishing features to make your modern tea shop pleasantly memorable. 
Speaker: Margaret Heery, Vice President, Strategic Marketing, Bunn-O-Matic Corporation

How to Develop your Mission, Vision and Strengths for Success

Sunday, June 3, 9:45 - 10:45 a.m. 

Every business owner should have a mission statement along with a clear vision statement of where they want their business to succeed. This will help you to learn when to say no. Discover your strengths and stop trying to correct your weaknesses-hire out for those! 
Speaker: Lisa Boalt Richardson, President and Author, Lisa Knows Tea