Overview

Dedicated to creating a vibrant community, World Tea Expo is the largest trade show and conference in the world for premium tea and related products; it’s the three days each year when industry professionals connect face-to-face to unveil new products, optimize high quality merchandise, gain in-depth product knowledge and network with peers.

As the epicenter of the North American specialty tea market,  World Tea Expo serves the $8 billion US tea industry, expected to grow an additional $2 billion by 2014.*  Specialty/premium tea is driving this growth and holds nearly 60% of the marketshare today**; it remains the main focus of products, services and education at World Tea Expo. 

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 high-quality 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.

2012 marks World Tea Expo's 10 year anniversary! In celebration - and in keeping with our reputation for innovation - this year's event promises to offer ALL NEW content.  Even tried and true micro-events happening at Expo will offer a new twist.

*Tea and Ready-to-Drink Tea in the U.S., Packaged Facts 2011
**Niielsen MarketTrack 2011 

Noteworthy events happening at Expo include:

• Educational Conference- the most comprehensive education in the world on tea. This year, the conference will include brand new educational sessions. 
  
  • New Business Boot Camp designed specifically for entrepreneurs entering the industry.
    
  • World Origin Tasting Tour explores the tea, culture, and manufacturing processes of 7 major countries of origin in 8 hours. Includes tastings of each country's major tea types.
  • Executive & Technical Series designed for high-level executives, product formulators and research scientists.
    
  • Core Conference Seminars, Focused Tastings & Skill Building Workshops meet 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.

• 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 Steven Downer, 2011 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, taste winning hot and iced teas and judge the best for themselves.