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World Tea Conference + Expo 2020
Monday, June 8
 

11:00am MDT

Tea Business Boot Camp Beginners – Building Blocks for the Entrepreneur
Statistics tell us that 84% of new businesses fail within two years. Tea Business Boot Camp is presented by a team of industry professionals with decades of experience of diverse experience to help you become one of the 16% who succeed. Are you hoping to join the tea industry or just starting out? This intense day of tea specific business courses offers you the inside scoop. Whether you are testing your dream or revitalizing a struggling start-up, Bootcamp offers tools for a better understanding of this industry and the nuts and bolts of practical logistics to create a solid foundation for your very own style of tea company. If you are just starting and haven't had any Basic Tea 101 courses we strongly suggest World Tea Academy Core .01 & .02 and whatever else that you can fit in before the Conference.

Session Schedule

Babette Donaldson - Emcee

10:30 - 11:00am: Introduction & Welcome Drinks & Snacks

11:00 - Noon: Is This Really What You Want to Do? - What is driving your decision to start a tea business? Is it something that can be molded into a solid business plan or would you be happier keeping your passion for tea as a hobby? Before you draft your business plan, choose an inventory, design your logo and branding or create a marketing calendar, you need to consider your WHY. So, we will begin Tea Business Bootcamp by looking at the real tea industry. We have the questions you should consider as you travel beyond the first flush of your creative process.
Babette Donaldson

Noon - 1:00pm: Building Your Business Plan - Nervous about not knowing where to start your tea business? You can transform your Big Idea into a profitable tea business by building a confidence-building, rock solid business plan. Go from panic to prosperity and profitability - one step at a time - it all starts with your business plan.
Jennifer Peterson

1:00 - 2:00pm: Lunch

2:00 - 3:00pm: 20 Essentials for Marketing Your Tea Business - The heart of your business success lies in its marketing. Attracting customers requires marketing. Without marketing, your business may offer the best products or services in your industry, but none of your potential customers would know about it. Marketing aims at finding out what consumers want, then planning a strategy for and developing a product experience that will compel consumers to buy it. In this session, you will learn the essential components of a strong marketing strategy, from evaluating opportunities in the changing market environment to engaging customers, with actionable tips for the tea industry.
Maria Uspenski

3:00 - 4:00pm: Brick & Mortar vs. Website: Location vs. Visibility - You have an online store and are contemplating the next step of a brick and mortar shop. There are key decisions, such location and lease, that will absolutely make or break your business success. Additionally, there are several other hidden land mines the wise small business owner needs to consider and plan for. You will no doubt make mistakes but, let us help you avoid the big ones. If you are going to do this, you need to be "all in."
Michelle Pierce Hamilton

4:00 - 4:30pm: Snack

4:30 - 5:30pm Breaking Even Instead of Breaking Bad - One of the most asked questions is what do I charge? Bill will share practical tools and techniques to help you decide where you need to set your prices.
Bill Waddington

5:30 - 6:30pm: Mastering the Art of WOW
"Wow!"
"Oh-My-Goodness!"
"Incredible!"
When is the last time your customers have used these words to describe your company? Your products? Your service? If the answer is never or not very often, then this presentation is sure to get you and your team fired up and on the right track! Customers are no longer "woo'ed" by the idea of simply buying goods and services, but instead are more interested in companies that are going above and beyond to tell a story, create added value or connect with them in genuine and tailored fashion. Both startups and existing large corporations are now given the challenge of getting their brand values across to consumers quickly and effectively at the mercy of crippling reviews and extremely high customer expectations. To do this, a business or entrepreneur is now tasked with the responsibility of distinguishing a vibrant atmosphere, honest relationship building and products and services that are undeniably unique throughout the marketplace. In this presentation, author, Tea Master and award-winning entrepreneur Daniel Lewis will help expose the secrets of a generation that just wants to feel that they are valued
Daniel Lewis

OPTIONAL NO HOST DINNER after the session is over.
 
Included with Tea Guru Pass



Speakers
avatar for Daniel Lewis

Daniel Lewis

Co-Founder, T By Daniel
Daniel Lewis is the funky, bow-tie wearing, retail magician and co-founder of T By Daniel. Since launching his business in 2011, Daniel has been awarded with several business excellence awards, received grants, and was selected as a Canadian Ambassador for Global Entrepreneurship... Read More →
avatar for Jennifer Peterson

Jennifer Peterson

Tea Mentor, Specialty Tea Institute
Jennifer C. Petersen is a Specialty Tea Institute Tea Mentor and Certified Tea Specialist, international speaker, author of 22 books including the Tea Sommelier's Journal and six cookbooks, former successful tea shop owner, master blender of over 200 organic tea blends, creator and... Read More →
avatar for Michelle Pierce Hamilton

Michelle Pierce Hamilton

Owner/Founder, beTeas, Inc.
Michelle Pierce Hamilton is a Registered Holistic Nutritionist (RHN) and Certified Canadian Tea Sommelier. A teacher and facilitator at heart, Michelle is a faculty instructor at the Canadian School of Natural Nutrition and was formerly an instructor of the Canadian Tea Sommelier... Read More →
avatar for Maria Uspenski

Maria Uspenski

Founder/CEO, The Tea Spot
Maria Uspenski is founder of The Tea Spot, where her mission is to empower healthy living through tea. She is the author of “Cancer Hates Tea” and was recognized as the “Top Tea Health Advocate” at the 2017 World Tea Expo. Maria has been featured in the Huffington Post, on... Read More →
avatar for Bill Waddington

Bill Waddington

Founder/President, TeaSource
Bill Waddington is the founder of TeaSource, a wholesale and retail specialty tea company. As such he imports and blends some of the finest teas from around the world. TeaSource is a 19 year old company with hundreds of wholesale customers all across North America. Bill’s mission... Read More →
avatar for Babette Donaldson

Babette Donaldson

Founder, International Tea Sippers Society
Babette Donaldson, author of The Everything Healthy Tea Book and The Emma Lea Books began her adventure with “real” tea as a graduate art student in San Francisco during the 70's with a graduate focus on ceramic art. Studying the history and elegance of ancient teaware inspired... Read More →


Monday June 8, 2020 11:00am - 6:30pm MDT
Colorado Convention Center
 
Tuesday, June 9
 

8:00am MDT

Origins Tasting Tour
Origins Tasting Tour is an experience of the senses from around the world. Join the tour to learn about the beautiful tea estates and the delicious teas that they produce. Sip your way across the globe and learn why every country has a different take on tea.

Included with: Tea Guru Pass

Speakers
avatar for Jane Pettigrew

Jane Pettigrew

Director of Education, UK Tea Academy
Jane has worked in tea since 1983 as freelance editor, writer, trainer and consultant. She has written for various magazines and websites, has spoken at tea conferences around the world and has trained in international hotels and tearooms. She is now Director of Education, UK Tea... Read More →


Tuesday June 9, 2020 8:00am - 1:00pm MDT
Colorado Convention Center

8:00am MDT

Tea Business Boot Camp Advanced – Developing a Well-Balanced Tea Business
Business Boot Camp Advanced has a more detailed series of tea specific business courses and mentoring sessions. A varied group of successful professionals from the tea world give a series of in depth lectures on the many aspects of taking your company to the next level. This second level course also offers participants the opportunity sit-down with our veteran tea industry professionals to discuss issues specific to their own businesses in an afternoon of group of mentoring sessions. Boot Camp Advanced helps you navigate the complexities of the business world with tools to strengthen and guide your existing tea business to the next level or to develop your start-up business strategy for a successful future.




Session Schedule
Kevin Gascoyne - Emcee
8:00am to 8:30am -- Light Breakfast with Introduction & Welcome

8:30am - 9:30am --- The Future of Tea (What You Need to Know)


Where is the Tea Industry going these days?  What are the latest tea product trends? How much do I need to adapt my offering to follow these new products? A veteran taster and tea business owner takes a look at the important features of our industry’s landscape and the elements that really matter to a growing tea business.  Kevin Gascoyne



9:30am - 10:30am – Choosing the Right Words to Sell Your Teas



Branding doesn’t stop at your choice of logo and tag line. How you describe your individual teas can make the difference between a customer who is eager to try your tea, and someone who may just pass it by. We'll talk about what you need to say and how to make what you say stand out.  Bring samples of your descriptions for sharing and discussion. – Virginia Utermohlen Lovelace
10:30am - 10:45 -- Quick Break

10:45am - 11:45am
 -- Regulatory & Legal Concerns



In this session, Shabnam Weber, President of the Tea and Herbal Association of Canada, will walk you through the rules of running your business. You will get an understanding of the importance of the issues that affect you and your company, no matter its size. Outcomes: Outline of government regulations – How regulations affect your business – How to navigate your way through understanding the rules.  Shabnam Weber

11:45am - 12:45pm
– Opening a Teashop and Building a Brand – Opening a Teashop VS Building a Brand - Opening a Teashop can be hard but if you want to take it to the next level, then you have to think about building a brand, which is not always the same thing.  Andres Jurado and Cecilia Corral will share their experience, strategies and some tips and hints for building your own brand. Cecilia Corral Osorio & Andres Jurado Rivera Torris

12:45pm - 1:45pm -- Lunch Break

1:45pm - 2:45pm
 --- The Profitable Perks of Personality-How to infuse your personality into your business to jumpstart success. “The Secret to Succeeding in Business is In the first to letters of Business… Bu!”  A mantra that Tea Master and personal Brand expert Daniel Lewis has used over the last 9 years to build an a multi award winning tea business. What happens when you remove “the Steve Jobs” from “the Apple’s” of the world… You end up bringing them back. Removing personality from your business can often result in the downfall of any company. So, how does one incorporate personality into their business? Step 1… Join the session and leave the rest up to Daniel! --- Daniel Lewis

2:45pm - 3:15pm
 ----Quick Wrap-up/Summary of the speakers by Kevin Gascoyne

3:15pm - 3:30pm
 --- Last Break

3:30pm - 5:00p
m --- Group Breakout sessions (There will be 10 tables with a mentor at each table to answer questions) Feel free to move about the room and meet the different mentors.
The mentors are as follows please find their bios listed throughout the conference schedule:
Suzette Hammond, Kevin Gascoyne, Daniel Lewis, Cecilia Corral Osorio, Andres Jurado Rivera Torris, 
Jennifer Petersen, Babette Donaldson, Maria Uspenski, Michelle Pierce Hamilton, Bill Waddington


Included with Tea Guru Pass

Speakers
avatar for Kevin Gascoyne

Kevin Gascoyne

Owner, Camellia Sinensis
British tea taster Kevin Gascoyne has been buying tea in Asia since 1989. He started his career as a tea writer for publications in the U.K., the U.S.A. and Japan. Over the years his passion for the black teas of India has spread to the plantations of many other countries. In Canada... Read More →
avatar for Daniel Lewis

Daniel Lewis

Co-Founder, T By Daniel
Daniel Lewis is the funky, bow-tie wearing, retail magician and co-founder of T By Daniel. Since launching his business in 2011, Daniel has been awarded with several business excellence awards, received grants, and was selected as a Canadian Ambassador for Global Entrepreneurship... Read More →
avatar for Cecilia Corral Osorio

Cecilia Corral Osorio

President, Escuela Mexicana De Te
Tea Sommelier Certified, Tea Designed and Expert in Tea Protocol and Ceremony. She is Founding Partner of the Corporativo Tian Te de México, S.A. de C.V.She was born on May 8, she lived in Cuernavaca, and when she finished high school she lived in France for a year.She graduated... Read More →
avatar for Andres Jurado Rivera Torres

Andres Jurado Rivera Torres

CEO, Escuela Mexicana de Te / Tian Te
Bachelor’s Degree in law by Universidad La SalleTea Sommelier, Tea Designer and Expert in Tea CeremoniesTAC TEA SOMMELIER ™ / ℠ CERTIFICATION PROGRAM, by the Tea and Herbal Association of Canada.Professional stages with teachers and tea experts in Taiwan and Sri LankaAdvisor... Read More →
avatar for Virginia Utermohlen-Lovelace

Virginia Utermohlen-Lovelace

Associate Professor, Taste Science
Virginia is a physician, scientist, and award-winning educator, with a life-long fascination with the science behind our sensory perceptions. Through her research and teaching as faculty member in the Division of Nutritional Sciences at Cornell University (one of the world’s premier... Read More →
avatar for Shabnam Weber

Shabnam Weber

President, Tea and Herb Association of Canada
Shabnam Weber has spent the last eighteen years in the tea business as an entrepreneur. As owner of a specialty tea company, a tea school and a Director on the Board of the Tea and Herbal Association of Canada, she has a unique perspective on multiple angles of the tea business. She... Read More →


Tuesday June 9, 2020 8:00am - 5:00pm MDT
Colorado Convention Center

12:00pm MDT

World Tea Newbies Meet and Greet
Are you new to World Tea? Are you looking for answers about where to go and what to do during World Tea Conference + Expo? Let’s meet, and help you develop a plan of action for World Tea to best suit your needs.

Included with: Tea Guru Pass & Full Conference Pass & Exhibit Hall Pass


Tuesday June 9, 2020 12:00pm - 1:00pm MDT
Colorado Convention Center

1:00pm MDT

Meeting the Experts at WTA
World Tea Academy’s program was developed by an unprecedented group of tea industry experts and luminaries. The authors of our classes and our strategic technical advisors are what make World Tea Academy’s courses and certifications a top-notch educational program for the industry. Come meet the experts that have helped make our curriculum first-rate.

Speakers
avatar for Lisa Richardson

Lisa Richardson

Director of World Tea Academy, QuestEx
Lisa started with World Tea Academy in 2018 as the Online Assistant Education Manager and is now the Education Manager and Director. She has traveled the globe researching and learning from masters about tea. Forming Lisa Knows Tea in 2000, she has consulted with companies in product... Read More →
avatar for Lydia Kung

Lydia Kung

Product Manager, Verileaf
Lydia's first glimpse of tea gardens was when she was doing dissertation fieldwork (about factory women) in Taiwan. After years in academia, Lydia has returned to tea as an importer and wholesaler. Trends may come and go, but years of tasting teas bring her a continued appreciation... Read More →
avatar for Mo Sardella

Mo Sardella

Director of Marketing, THE G.S. Haly Company, Inc.
Mo Sardella has been working in the Specialty Tea Industry since 1998, where he began his career at Peet’s Coffee and Tea based in Berkeley, CA. Since then, Mo has focused on tea education programs, and helping to maintain the consistency and quality of Specialty Tea available to... Read More →
avatar for Scott Svihula

Scott Svihula

Founder, Hula Consulting
Scott Svihula has carved out a niche as an expert in the specialty coffee & tea industry. Scott started his own tea & coffee consulting business, Hula Consulting, to offer a unique one stop service approach offering everything a company needs to grow. His customized consulting approach... Read More →
avatar for Bill Waddington

Bill Waddington

Founder/President, TeaSource
Bill Waddington is the founder of TeaSource, a wholesale and retail specialty tea company. As such he imports and blends some of the finest teas from around the world. TeaSource is a 19 year old company with hundreds of wholesale customers all across North America. Bill’s mission... Read More →
avatar for Babette Donaldson

Babette Donaldson

Founder, International Tea Sippers Society
Babette Donaldson, author of The Everything Healthy Tea Book and The Emma Lea Books began her adventure with “real” tea as a graduate art student in San Francisco during the 70's with a graduate focus on ceramic art. Studying the history and elegance of ancient teaware inspired... Read More →
avatar for Virginia Utermohlen-Lovelace

Virginia Utermohlen-Lovelace

Associate Professor, Taste Science
Virginia is a physician, scientist, and award-winning educator, with a life-long fascination with the science behind our sensory perceptions. Through her research and teaching as faculty member in the Division of Nutritional Sciences at Cornell University (one of the world’s premier... Read More →


Tuesday June 9, 2020 1:00pm - 2:30pm MDT
Colorado Convention Center

1:00pm MDT

Blending with Botanicals
In this workshop, participants will be introduced to the varied ways that botanicals can be blended with with or without camellia sinensis to create delicious, flavorful, and medicinally valuable infusions. Discussion will include 20 safe and available plants and will cover both the medicinal properties and the flavor profiles of each, as well as exploring different blending and tasting parameters. This hands-on workshop will all each participant to blend their own personal tea and take home a small sample of it.

Speakers
avatar for Sara Martinelli

Sara Martinelli

Owner, The Boulder Dushanbe Teahouse


Tuesday June 9, 2020 1:00pm - 2:30pm MDT
Colorado Convention Center

1:00pm MDT

Home Grown Content
In today’s social media world creating interesting and attractive content is just as important as a delicious product. The bar is high and continues to increase. Your images and copy will live next to those created by professional photographers, copywriters and marketing gurus. While you can outsource this work it comes at a high cost and the requirement for content is never ending.  In addition, there is authenticity that comes from organically producing content in house- and authenticity is what consumers are looking for.
Creating content that successfully communicates your brand, looks great and can be produced quickly and inexpensively isn’t hard. It is achievable by paying attention to some simple principles photographers and designers rely on. Principles that do not require custom studios and expensive equipment.  Often all you need is in your pocket, it is amazing what can be made these days with a cell phone and a laptop.
Join Tony Tellin and Guy Brooksbank to learn how to create a unique and brand consistent visual style through the effective use of color, composition and consistency.  Part content development and strategy from the eyes of a tea business owner and part photography 101 from a professional behind the lens- this class aims to teach you the basics of creating beautiful photos and videos to differentiate your brand and take your IG to the next level.


Speakers
avatar for Tony Tellin

Tony Tellin

Co-Founder, A. Tellin Company
I moved to Oregon in 1998 and started working at Tazo Tea. I had many roles, all leading up to being the senior buyer. Steven Smith, the founder, was my mentor and we cupped our way around the world, sourcing teas, botanicals and spices. Alongside a talented team and with support... Read More →
avatar for Guy Brooksbank

Guy Brooksbank

Photographer/Videographer, Brooksbank Photo
Guy Brooksbank is a professional photographer and videographer with over 3 decades of production experience. In 2001, While volunteering at the Namgyal Monastery in Dharamsala, India, he discovered the power of media and video advocacy, teaching the monks there to shoot, edit and... Read More →



Tuesday June 9, 2020 1:00pm - 2:30pm MDT
Colorado Convention Center

1:00pm MDT

Tea Mindfulnes: The Science and Stillness
Arguably one of the biggest health benefits of tea might be the one that we're not talking about: Mental health. Tea calms the choppy mind, grounds the body and reconnects us to our senses. It does this on both a physical and chemical level – that which we can understand through science – as well as through an emotional and philosophical level. In this interactive session, we’ll explore the science of how mindfulness practice reduces stress response in the body, and how using tea for this can help support us in a very unique way. We’ll also spend time connecting to the very deep value of intentional stillness that tea offers, through guided meditation exercises with tea drinking. Our goal is to create a very adaptable, easy to follow daily practice.

Speakers
avatar for Suzette Hammond

Suzette Hammond

Founder, Being Tea
"Suzette Hammond is an award-winning teacher and professional trainer. Since 2003, she has been working with leading tea companies, trade organizations and non-profits. She is the founder of Being Tea - an education-focused business offering sensory rich workshops, online teaching... Read More →


Tuesday June 9, 2020 1:00pm - 2:30pm MDT
Colorado Convention Center

1:00pm MDT

Identifying Bench Mark Teas: Chinese Teas First Level
Complete your tea education by learning about and tasting the characteristics of five great Chinese teas. You'll taste several examples of each tea to learn which flavor notes are most desirable.

Speakers
avatar for Jeni Dodd

Jeni Dodd

Owner, Jeni Dodd Tea
Born and raised in America’s heartland, Jeni Dodd has journeyed far from the plains of Kansas to remote tea-growing regions throughout the world in search of the perfect cup of tea. The owner of Jeni Dodd Tea, a company dedicated to importing hand-crafted, unique specialty teas... Read More →
avatar for Kyle Stewart

Kyle Stewart

Owner, Cultured Cup
Stewart co-owns The Cultured Cup and was the first Texan to be a Certified Tea Specialist. He serves as a Mentor for STI, a member of STAN, and is a frequent speaker at Crow Museum, Dallas Museum of Art, SMU, Deloitte University, and gave a TEDxSMU tea talk. Since 2005, he has taught... Read More →


Tuesday June 9, 2020 1:00pm - 2:30pm MDT
Colorado Convention Center

2:45pm MDT

Develop Your Own Wholesale Tea Program: How to Win Restaurant & Hospitality Accounts
You can do this! Whether you’re a retail or online business, having a wholesale tea program is the secret ingredient to success and profitability in the new economy. This class is geared for both those who are just starting a wholesale program or those wanting to expand the number of their existing wholesale accounts. You’ll learn how to identify good prospects for wholesale partnerships, and methods for cultivating loyal, long-term relationships with restaurants, spas, coffee roasters and B&Bs. We’ll provide tips for managing your efforts effectively, so you can enjoy a reliable and low-maintenance source of additional income.


Speakers
avatar for Heather Agosta

Heather Agosta

President/Co-Founder, Jasmine Pearl Tea Company
Heather Agosta is the President and co-owner of The Jasmine Pearl Tea Company, a Portland, Oregon based importer and wholesaler of specialty loose leaf tea. Heather spent time studying aromatic herbalism and learning the art of flavor and scent design under the tutelage of a renowned... Read More →
avatar for Jhanne Jasmine

Jhanne Jasmine

R&D Specialist & Tea Educator, Stash Tea Company
Jhanne Jasmine has been part of the tea industry for over 20 years since co-founding The TeaZone in Portland, Oregon in 1999. A ground breaking business, The TeaZone featured over 120 premier loose leaf teas from around the world plus introduced Portland’s first tea lattes, bubble... Read More →


Tuesday June 9, 2020 2:45pm - 3:45pm MDT
Colorado Convention Center

2:45pm MDT

Japanese Tea Production - Matcha and Sencha
This class describes the processes and techniques of producing Japanese green tea, especially Matcha and Sencha. Tea distribution channels and the elements that determine the price of tea will also be described.

Speakers
avatar for Den Shirakata

Den Shirakata

President, Den's Tea Inc.
Den Shirakata has been involved in his family tea business since childhood. In 2000 he established Den's Tea in California to distribute his authentic Japanese green tea. Den is a licensed tea instructor and well versed in the history, production and health benefits of Japanese tea... Read More →


Tuesday June 9, 2020 2:45pm - 3:45pm MDT
Colorado Convention Center

2:45pm MDT

A Comparison of Herbs from Different Regions
"Herbal tea ingredients present unparalleled creative blending opportunities. With almost overwhelming diversity and complexity, we can create endless variations and combinations of flavors. These amazing herbs and spices however, area also highly variable. Like wine grapes –or tea—there are sometimes large differences in the same herb from year to year, from region to region and even farm to farm. Plus, many are still wild-harvested, and others grown on thousands of small farms.

Speakers
avatar for Rob McCaleb

Rob McCaleb

President, Herb Research Foundation
Rob McCaleb is the founder and president of the Herb Research Foundation, a researcher, writer and educator and a leading proponent of natural health care with botanical and nutritional products. He was Research Director at Celestial Seasonings for 13 years, building their analytical... Read More →


Tuesday June 9, 2020 2:45pm - 3:45pm MDT
Colorado Convention Center

2:45pm MDT

The 12 Secrets to Iconic Branding
Brand storytelling isn't a new concept, but with the explosive growth of social media and content marketing, the opportunities to tell authentic stories as part of direct and indirect brand marketing initiatives have become a strategic priority and the only sustainable method of iconic branding. The seminar continues where, "Not My Grandma’s Cup of Tea: the one secret every tea seller needs to know to sell successfully to the Millennials," ends. This seminar will deliver a 60 jam-packed minutes of the 12 secrets iconic branding that were proven to work in both the retail and wholesale tea business.


Speakers
avatar for Gregory Lui

Gregory Lui

Chief Strategist
Greg Lui is one of North America's most celebrated, award winning tea specialists with over 150 Global Tea Championship accolades. He is a pioneer of the organic whole leaf tea and matcha movement in the specialty coffee market. Lui holds a Master’s degree in Marketing at Northwestern... Read More →


Tuesday June 9, 2020 2:45pm - 3:45pm MDT
Colorado Convention Center

2:45pm MDT

2020 RTD & More Overview! What’s Hot and What’s Not...
Tonkin will take us thru the current market dynamics around Ready to Drink Teas in the US and beyond... Where is the growth potential and what things are changing in the market will be explored... We will talk about the emerging peripheral brands and new products in the space, and why consumers are moving away from old favorites to some newer market entrants.

Speakers
avatar for James Tonkin

James Tonkin

President/Founder, Healthy Brand Builders
For more than 43 years, Jim has served the private sector as a brand and marketing development professional. He directs the building and design of national infrastructures for food and beverage industry clients. Tonkin has successfully created and implemented business and financial... Read More →


Tuesday June 9, 2020 2:45pm - 3:45pm MDT
Colorado Convention Center

3:00pm MDT

Industry Ice Breaking
Join us for a match making session where attendees are paired with key businesses that can help your company blossom.

Included with: Tea Guru Pass & Full Conference Pass & Exhibit Hall Pass

Tuesday June 9, 2020 3:00pm - 5:00pm MDT
Colorado Convention Center

4:00pm MDT

Tea & Wine: Who Drinks Which and Why
Both tea and wine industries are poised to dominate the ongoing trend towards “natural” and “organic.”  A critical question then becomes: what factors drive the choices of tea and wine? In this talk we will present the results of consumer survey analyses that point to answers specifically important to the tea industry.


Speakers
avatar for Virginia Utermohlen-Lovelace

Virginia Utermohlen-Lovelace

Associate Professor, Taste Science
Virginia is a physician, scientist, and award-winning educator, with a life-long fascination with the science behind our sensory perceptions. Through her research and teaching as faculty member in the Division of Nutritional Sciences at Cornell University (one of the world’s premier... Read More →


Tuesday June 9, 2020 4:00pm - 5:00pm MDT
Colorado Convention Center

4:00pm MDT

What's Trending With Herbs
Herbal remedies are an important component in alternative medicine today, which is one of the fastest growing markets in our culture. Consuming teas and tisanes play into this significant movement of supplements to maintain or improve health. In this popular and growing tea market we must stay on top of the publics' demand for natural, healthy alternatives. There is a transition where Western Medicine is now accepting and including many natural healthy alternatives of herbal supplements. The key is what herbs are trending and how to best integrate them into your tea and tisane blends. Linda Barberic is a Tea Designer with Soma Tea, Inc, who specializes in healing teas and tisanes. In her session she will walk you through the latest trends and the hottest herbs, sharing how to balance and incorporate them into your teas and tisanes for health benefits.
We will end the session tasting some of these roots and herbs as well as take away samples for you all to take home and experiment with.

Soma Tea World Tea Conference and Expo 2020

Speakers
avatar for Linda Barberic

Linda Barberic

President, Soma Tea Inc.
Linda is the founder and tea designer with Soma Tea, a hand blended all organic tea company that emphasizes healing with therapeutic teas and tisanes.Linda began her holistic healing training 25 years ago when she embarked in her yoga teaching, to naturally restore and heal the body... Read More →


Tuesday June 9, 2020 4:00pm - 5:00pm MDT
Colorado Convention Center

4:00pm MDT

The Next Generation of Consumers: Gen Z
How will the next generation of consumers change the landscape of marketing products.  What do they value? What will speak to them?


Speakers
avatar for Shabnam Weber

Shabnam Weber

President, Tea and Herb Association of Canada
Shabnam Weber has spent the last eighteen years in the tea business as an entrepreneur. As owner of a specialty tea company, a tea school and a Director on the Board of the Tea and Herbal Association of Canada, she has a unique perspective on multiple angles of the tea business. She... Read More →


Tuesday June 9, 2020 4:00pm - 5:00pm MDT
Colorado Convention Center

4:00pm MDT

Pairing Tea and Bourbon: Focus Your Tasting Skills
Participants will focus their tasting skills as they look for common flavor notes and influencers found in two of the world’s most fascinating beverages. The tea industry can learn much from the fast-growing world of bourbon where origin, provenance, small batch, single barrel, and hand-crafted are just a few of the descriptors being used to drive the premium beverage market.


Speakers
avatar for Bruce Richardson

Bruce Richardson

Owner, Elmwood Inn Fine Teas
Bruce Richardson is the author of 14 books, including the The New Tea Companion Third Edition with Jane Pettigrew. He is the Owner of Elmwood Inn Fine Teas, Contributing Editor for TeaTime magazine, and Tea Master for the Boston Tea Party Ships Museum. He is a frequent speaker at... Read More →


Tuesday June 9, 2020 4:00pm - 5:00pm MDT
Colorado Convention Center

4:00pm MDT

Bubbles, Booze & CBD: Expanding the Appeal of Camellia Sinensis
Tea Innovation is on fire! From kombucha to boozy teas to tea sodas to CBD, tea as an ingredient is coming to the fore in a way it never has before. Is this good or bad for the tea industry? Let's explore!


Speakers
avatar for Linda Lipsius

Linda Lipsius

CEO/Co-Founder, Teatulia
Co-Founder & CEO of Teatulia, Linda has been working to bring premium, organic, direct-sourced teas from Bangladesh to the U.S She's built a brand known for doing things better. Named one of Food & Wine/ Fortune's 20 Most Innovative Women in Food & Wine, she earned her Bachelors Degree... Read More →


Tuesday June 9, 2020 4:00pm - 5:00pm MDT
Colorado Convention Center

5:00pm MDT

Opening Night Par-TEA
Gather together for games, prizes, snacks, and drinks! Here you’ll find friends, colleagues, new faces and industry veterans, and kick off an exciting World Tea Conference + Expo 2020.

Included with: Tea Guru Pass & Full Conference Pass & Exhibit Hall Pass

Tuesday June 9, 2020 5:00pm - 7:00pm MDT
Colorado Convention Center

7:00pm MDT

Dinner with Your New Friends
Unwind with a delicious meal shared with new friends! Are you attending World Tea on your own but looking to experience a dinner out in Denver? We can’t wait to meet you!

Add On – Extra Charge

Tuesday June 9, 2020 7:00pm - 9:00pm MDT

9:00pm MDT

Twilight Tea
After your dinner plans continue the conversation at the Twilight Tea. This is the perfect time to unwind from the day and enjoy a sweet treat and nightcap on us!

Included with: Tea Guru Pass & Full Conference Pass & Exhibit Hall Pass

Tuesday June 9, 2020 9:00pm - 10:30pm MDT
 
Wednesday, June 10
 

8:30am MDT

In Good Taste
Taste is at the heart of what connects consumers to tea. Branding, advertising and premium packaging can entice, but taste is what brings people back for more. We taste with our nose as much as we do with our tongue, and these senses are strongly linked in our brains with memories and emotions. A smell or flavour can evoke strong reactions and feelings. So tea is more than just a healthy drink, it is an experience that can lift your mood, calm you down, or put a smile on your face. Tea is unique amongst beverages in its vast variety of origins, types and flavours. The good news is that you don’t have to be an expert taster to know when a tea makes you feel good.

Sebastian Michaelis Keynote Speaker June 2020 World Tea Conference + Expo

Speakers
avatar for Sebastian Michaelis

Sebastian Michaelis

Director of Tea Buying and Blending, Tata Global Beverages
Sebastian Michaelis is the Director of Tea Buying and Blending at Tata Global Beverages (International), the second largest tea packer in the world. Sebastian started his career at TGB 15 years ago and over that time has managed the tea sourcing of all major tea origins for the group... Read More →


Wednesday June 10, 2020 8:30am - 9:45am MDT
Colorado Convention Center

10:00am MDT

CBD Summit Panel - Opportunities in the Fastest Growing Segment of the Beverage Industry
CBD – you’ve heard of it, but do you know how it fits into your business? A panel of experts will clear the haziness around the product line and show you how to take advantage of it. By the end of the session, you will know the regulatory guidelines and how to incorporate CBD into your product line-up and profit from it.


Speakers
avatar for Troy Nihart

Troy Nihart

Forth Coming
Troy Nihart is a dynamic and pivotal serial entrepreneur with over 20 years of business development , sales and public company experience. His focus has been on the nutritional health benefits derived from hemp. For the past 5+ years, Troy has been instrumental in the development... Read More →
avatar for Josh Rosenberg

Josh Rosenberg

CEO, Accent Food Services
Josh Rosenberg is a former Executive in the Coca-Cola system for over 18 years developing his skills from merchandising, service, call center management, sales, marketing, and operational roles. Josh left in 2013 to invest and lead as CEO at Accent Food Services and developing from... Read More →
avatar for Greg Sidwell

Greg Sidwell

Founder/President, G & J Marketing and Sales
Greg Sidwell is Founder and President G & J Marketing and Sales. Greg has used his general management, marketing and innovation skills to drive business performance across a diverse range of food and beverage categories in the Vending, Office Coffee and Specialty Retail channels of... Read More →
avatar for Raj Teja

Raj Teja

Teaja Organics
Raj Teja is the co-founding partner and visionary in TEAJA and PLNTSOP. Raj has over 20 years in corporate and early stage business ventures, with extensive experience in Channel Development with multi-national companies with the likes of IBM and Rogers AT&T. In 2003, Raj joined the... Read More →


Wednesday June 10, 2020 10:00am - 11:00am MDT
Colorado Convention Center

10:00am MDT

Data Analysis and Market Research for Tea Professionals
Data and technology can make or break a business. The course will provide an overview of essential market research and data analysis skills for tea professionals. It will also teach new ways of looking at the tea world through data.


Speakers
avatar for Abraham Rowe

Abraham Rowe

CEO, Sinensis Research
Abraham Rowe got into tea in high school, working at a tea shop in his hometown. He has taught college courses on Chinese tea, worked as Google's resident tea expert, and consulted for tea companies. He recently founded Sinensis Research, a firm studying the specialty tea industr... Read More →


Wednesday June 10, 2020 10:00am - 11:00am MDT
Colorado Convention Center

10:00am MDT

The Alchemy of Tea Marketing
Alchemy examines the psychological, emotional, and social factors that impact purchase decisions. Behavioral economics uncovers the seemingly insignificant levers in perception and behavior that yield remarkable results. Real, tea-world applications of how nuance, messaging, and creating right perception can make real differences. It isn't about the amount of money you throw at the problem, its about finding the simplest, most effective lever for altering perception and behavior.


Speakers
avatar for Jason Walker

Jason Walker

Marketing Director, Firsd Tea North America
Jason Walker is Marketing Director for Firsd Tea North America (of parent company Zhejiang Tea Group, China's largest tea exporter). His tea experience includes business services for small tea companies, a top-ranked online destination for tea consumer education, and co-founding a... Read More →


Wednesday June 10, 2020 10:00am - 11:00am MDT
Colorado Convention Center

10:00am MDT

Developing a Successful Sustainability Strategy in Tea: Insights from Industry Leaders
Companies of all sizes are seeking to develop comprehensive sustainability strategies. For brands sourcing ingredients from tea and herb producer communities, taking action to understand, address, and support meaningful change at origin can be a cornerstone of their sustainability program. This moderated panel of industry leaders will outline choices made to source tea, herbs, and spices ethically and sustainably, examples of meaningful impact, sustainability communication strategies, consumer insights, and tactics for employee/consumer engagement.


Speakers
avatar for Jodi Beasley

Jodi Beasley

Senior Partnership Development Manager, Fair Trade USA
Jodi Beasley is a Senior Partnership Development Manager at Fair Trade USA, the leading third-party certifier of fair trade products in the United States. She fosters and supports brand partnership growth in the packaged goods sector, specializing in products that source fair trade... Read More →
avatar for Mike Harney

Mike Harney

Owner, Harney & Sons Tea Co
Michael Harney has been the tea taster at Harney & Sons for over 30 years. He travels to Asia every year, and is a published author as well as an educator who scours the globe meeting with tea producers from all the major tea regions, looking for the best teas to deliver to his customers... Read More →
avatar for Chris McCoy

Chris McCoy

Founder, Kombucha Town
Chris McCoy became passionate about healthy living and the environment following his father's death from brain cancer in 2008 and the need to become the primary caregiver for his mother due to early onset Alzheimer’s in 2011. While studying environmental science at Western Washington... Read More →
avatar for Manik Jayakumar

Manik Jayakumar

Founder, Qtrade Teas and Herbs
Manik Jayakumar founded QTrade International Tea, market leaders of specialty and organic tea, 26 years ago. He is an industry tea veteran with 56 years of experience in tea and was awarded the Lifetime Achievement in tea by the World Tea Expo in 2019.


Wednesday June 10, 2020 10:00am - 11:00am MDT
Colorado Convention Center

10:00am MDT

Importing Tea: Navigating Customs
Importing from source is an appealing concept. Yet, in reality, navigating the world of customs regulations can be daunting and overwhelming. As an attorney and tea importer, Jeni Dodd will unravel the mysteries of clearing customs and offer tips for a successful customs experience.


Speakers
avatar for Jeni Dodd

Jeni Dodd

Owner, Jeni Dodd Tea
Born and raised in America’s heartland, Jeni Dodd has journeyed far from the plains of Kansas to remote tea-growing regions throughout the world in search of the perfect cup of tea. The owner of Jeni Dodd Tea, a company dedicated to importing hand-crafted, unique specialty teas... Read More →


Wednesday June 10, 2020 10:00am - 11:00am MDT
Colorado Convention Center

11:15am MDT

Visiting Countries of Origins: Travel Tips and Finding the Right Contacts
This presentation is aimed at anyone working in the world of tea who would like to travel to countries origin, to learn, to build their understanding and experience of different teas, or to buy tea, but isn't sure where to start and how to organise their trip. We will discuss the different options of travelling with an experienced tea buyer, with a group, or by travelling alone, and it aims to cover all the topics that must be considered before and while travelling - such things as where to go, when to go, visas and passports, making contact with tea gardens before planning the trip, what to take, what not to take, where to stay, how to keep safe and healthy, how to achieve everything you want to achieve. This hour long session aims to provide a check list for anyone thinking of travelling to any of the world's tea growing regions.

Speakers
avatar for Jane Pettigrew

Jane Pettigrew

Director of Education, UK Tea Academy
Jane has worked in tea since 1983 as freelance editor, writer, trainer and consultant. She has written for various magazines and websites, has spoken at tea conferences around the world and has trained in international hotels and tearooms. She is now Director of Education, UK Tea... Read More →


Wednesday June 10, 2020 11:15am - 12:15pm MDT
Colorado Convention Center

11:15am MDT

Creative Marketing Strategies on a Budget
In this interactive session you'll learn how to use your business resources and partners instead of marketing dollars to grow your tea business. We will share real world successes and failures from our own experience of over 15 years in the tea industry.


Speakers
avatar for Katherine Kern Michaelides

Katherine Kern Michaelides

Partner, Churchill's Fine Tea
Katherine is a Certified Tea Professional and Sommelier who has worked and traveled extensively across Europe and Asia, experiencing and learning about tea ceremonies, production methods and culture first hand. Katherine has spent eight years as a customer insight and strategy consultant... Read More →


Wednesday June 10, 2020 11:15am - 12:15pm MDT
Colorado Convention Center

11:15am MDT

Learn How Consumer Expectations Are Changing in a Digital World
Learn how DAVIDsTEA is using AI, mobile technologies and personalization to bring an industry that is over 3,000 years old to today’s modern consumer. 


Speakers
avatar for Damon Sloane

Damon Sloane

Vice President, Ecommerce
Mr. Sloane has over 15 years of experience in ecommerce, omni-channel retail, digital marketing and mobile technology. Mr. Sloane became our VP, Ecommerce in April 2019. Most recently, Mr. Sloane was VP, Retail Innovation & Client Success at Kinetic Commerce. Mr. Sloane also served... Read More →


Wednesday June 10, 2020 11:15am - 12:15pm MDT
Colorado Convention Center

11:15am MDT

Trash Talk: How to Create a Zero Waste Space
Consumers are increasingly becoming more aware of the waste they create in their day-to-day lives. People are also more concerned about waste, pollution, and corporate environmental responsibility. The specialty coffee and tea industry, from cafés to packagers and producers, are highly visible in contributing to the problem due to consumers wasting single-use cups, to-go containers, and other plastics. Social media is also driving awareness beyond how-to handbooks.
Fresh Cup Magazine’s associate editor, Janae Easlon, will walk attendees through simple, easy-to-understand ways to think zero-waste, not only in everyday practices but also long-term. They will learn that zero-waste isn’t scary, and not only good for the planet but better for the future of the industry too.

Trash Talk - How to Create a Zero Waste Space

Speakers
avatar for Janae Easion

Janae Easion

Associate Editor, Fresh Cup Magazine
Janae Easlon lives in Portland, Oregon, and works as the associate editor for Fresh Cup Magazine, a specialty coffee and tea trade publication. Her background is in community and business journalism. When she isn’t typing away, Janae gardens and reads up on zero-waste practices... Read More →


Wednesday June 10, 2020 11:15am - 12:15pm MDT
Colorado Convention Center

11:15am MDT

100-point Wine-Style Tea Reviews: Opportunities, Challenges, and Caveats
Mr. Walters will draw upon 23 years of experience pioneering 100-point wine-style reviews in the specialty coffee industry to explore the opportunities, challenges, and caveats of developing similar 100-point reviews in the tea industry.


Speakers
avatar for Ron Walters

Ron Walters

Founder, Tea Review
In 1996, Mr. Walters co-founded Coffee Review, an online publication that pioneered 100-point reviews in the specialty coffee industry. For the past twenty years, Ron has been engaged in strategy, marketing, and management of Coffee Review and other specialty food and beverage businesses... Read More →


Wednesday June 10, 2020 11:15am - 12:15pm MDT
Colorado Convention Center

6:30pm MDT

Dinner + Awards Ceremony
Expected to sell out to a room of tea industry influencers from around the globe, the World Tea Awards program includes dinner and ceremony, to celebrate some of the brightest leaders from the tea community. During the event, winners will be named in several key categories.

Add On – Must Register

Wednesday June 10, 2020 6:30pm - 8:00pm MDT

8:30pm MDT

Behind the Scenes of 9 Dragons Tea
Filmmaker Christy Hui takes you behind-the-scenes of her upcoming documentary
9 Dragons Tea, filmed in the historic tea region of Wuyi Shan, China. This film reveals the untold story of how Oolong and Black Teas were created by local tea-masters after centuries of exquisite tea-making fit for emperors, and the captivating saga of tea's epic journey into Europe, America and the rest of the world. Author and tea historian Bruce Richardson appears in the film. He will share how Wuyi teas were dumped into Boston Harbor in 1773, as this momentus event launched America's War of Independence from British rule. Join Hui and Richardson as they share clips from the documentary and discuss the impact of Wuyi teas on world culture, economics, and politics.

There will be plenty of time for Q&A and mingling with the speakers during this fun and informative get-together.

Snacks and drinks will be provided.


Speakers
avatar for Bruce Richardson

Bruce Richardson

Owner, Elmwood Inn Fine Teas
Bruce Richardson is the author of 14 books, including the The New Tea Companion Third Edition with Jane Pettigrew. He is the Owner of Elmwood Inn Fine Teas, Contributing Editor for TeaTime magazine, and Tea Master for the Boston Tea Party Ships Museum. He is a frequent speaker at... Read More →

Artists
avatar for Christy Hui

Christy Hui

Film Maker
A lifelong tea lover, Christy Hui spent two and half years crafting 9 Dragons Tea, a documentary film unearthing tea’s origins, history, and mysteries.“The project is akin to putting together an ancient puzzle, spanning six major Chinese dynasties, five centuries, and in two languages... Read More →


Wednesday June 10, 2020 8:30pm - 10:00pm MDT
Colorado Convention Center

8:30pm MDT

The World’s Rarest Teas: An Exclusive Tasting Event
In this immersive and intimate tasting event, professional tea taster Kevin Gascoyne shares a carefully selected sequence of teas from around the world. A tasting experience to impress your palate like never before. The event will feature some of the rarest and most exclusive batches of teas that money can buy – a one time opportunity not to be missed! *Tickets must be purchased in advance for this event* *Due to the fully immersive nature of this session, latecomers will be turned away*

This Special Event sold out last year, so get your tickets sooner than later.


Speakers
avatar for Kevin Gascoyne

Kevin Gascoyne

Owner, Camellia Sinensis
British tea taster Kevin Gascoyne has been buying tea in Asia since 1989. He started his career as a tea writer for publications in the U.K., the U.S.A. and Japan. Over the years his passion for the black teas of India has spread to the plantations of many other countries. In Canada... Read More →


Wednesday June 10, 2020 8:30pm - 10:30pm MDT
Colorado Convention Center
 
Thursday, June 11
 

8:00am MDT

Master Course in Tea Blending
“Sharyn Johnston will host and guide you through this exciting skill building hands on Tea Blending Class specially created by Australian Tea Masters. Sharyn will provide some of the secrets and tips to successful tea blending, along with the professional techniques required for developing both traditional blends and signature formulations. You will learn about blending the various types and grades of tea with ingredients like herbs, dried fruits, flowers, and spices , how to create chai and what makes a successful wellness blends. You will have the opportunity to appreciate flavoured teas and using natural flavours. A great opportunity for anyone to begin creating their own blends and private label teas. Get hands on and enjoy! This is a class not to be missed!”

Sharyn Johnston Skill Building - Master Course in Tea Blending

Speakers
avatar for Sharyn Johnston

Sharyn Johnston

CEO/Founder, Australian Tea Masters
“Sharyn Johnston founded Australian Tea Masters (ATM)in 2011, with branches in Australia, Singapore and Korea .Australian Tea Masters is a leader in tea education and manufacturing. Sharyn is the head international judge for Tea Masters Cup and was nominated for best tea educator... Read More →


Thursday June 11, 2020 8:00am - 12:00pm MDT
Colorado Convention Center

8:00am MDT

Mixing It Up with Food and Drinks
Roll up your sleeves and get ready to mix, stir, blend and be creative. You will meet Lisa McDonald have created some amazing dishes with tea as an ingredient and a fantastic Mixologists, Phil Attee who turn a plain cocktail into a new creation with the magic of tea. This session will be filled with fun and excitement and a chance to rub elbows with the pioneers of using tea as an ingredient. Come ready to experiment and learn How To.


Speakers
avatar for Phil Attee

Phil Attee

Sales Manager & Distilling Consultant, Mammoth Distilling
With a professional background working in biology and chemistry labs, Phil decided to pursue a career with a little more spirit... literally. For several years, he trained in the art and science of distillation and cocktail making. He is currently the Sales Manager and Distilling... Read More →
avatar for Lisa McDonald

Lisa McDonald

Owner, TeaHaus
Lisa, a displaced Colorado native, spent 14 years in Europe where she worked as a consultant and received extensive training as a tea sommelier. After moving to Ann Arbor, she opened TeaHaus, a loose leaf tea store and cafe/restaurant in 2007. It was a busy week, holding her 3-day-old... Read More →


Thursday June 11, 2020 8:00am - 12:00pm MDT
Colorado Convention Center

8:00am MDT

The Art of Cupping and Comparative Tasting
If storytelling is an art, then story through comparative tasting is art that engages our whole being. Storytelling is an absolutely essential skill for tasting room owners, staff trainers, bloggers, and anyone serving and selling tea. But how does one become better at tea story and knowledge sharing? By learning how to taste! In this challenging Train the Trainer session, dive into TWO major competencies at the same time: Learning how to professionally cup and taste tea, and how to use those skills to create and lead your own narrative comparative tastings. Normally offered in one-on-one mentoring or in private groups, this is a rare chance to take this Train the Trainer in an interactive larger group setting with one of World Tea’s most experienced cupping and training professionals.


Speakers
avatar for Suzette Hammond

Suzette Hammond

Founder, Being Tea
"Suzette Hammond is an award-winning teacher and professional trainer. Since 2003, she has been working with leading tea companies, trade organizations and non-profits. She is the founder of Being Tea - an education-focused business offering sensory rich workshops, online teaching... Read More →


Thursday June 11, 2020 8:00am - 12:00pm MDT
Colorado Convention Center

9:00am MDT

To CBD or Not to CBD? What You Need to Know: Benefits, Legality & Partnership
These days CBD can be found in everything from gummy bears to hand lotion. It is now becoming especially popular in the tea industry. In this presentation, you will learn to navigate the benefits and legalities of this trending product and gain a solid understanding of which steps in the process of launching a CBD tea could present the biggest hurdles and which are most critical for your business needs.


Speakers
avatar for Maria Uspenski

Maria Uspenski

Founder/CEO, The Tea Spot
Maria Uspenski is founder of The Tea Spot, where her mission is to empower healthy living through tea. She is the author of “Cancer Hates Tea” and was recognized as the “Top Tea Health Advocate” at the 2017 World Tea Expo. Maria has been featured in the Huffington Post, on... Read More →


Thursday June 11, 2020 9:00am - 10:00am MDT
Colorado Convention Center

9:00am MDT

The Art and Science of Trendspotting in the Tea Industry
In this interactive session you'll learn how to identify trends and capitalize on the ones that are right for your business, using a data-driven approach. Part art, part science, we will share real world successes and failures from our own experience of over 15 years in the tea industry.


Speakers
avatar for Katherine Kern Michaelides

Katherine Kern Michaelides

Partner, Churchill's Fine Tea
Katherine is a Certified Tea Professional and Sommelier who has worked and traveled extensively across Europe and Asia, experiencing and learning about tea ceremonies, production methods and culture first hand. Katherine has spent eight years as a customer insight and strategy consultant... Read More →


Thursday June 11, 2020 9:00am - 10:00am MDT
Colorado Convention Center

10:15am MDT

CBD Tea Cupping: R&D, Production & Marketing
Come join the team from The Tea Spot and learn about CBD tea, from R&D and manufacturing to marketing the product. They will first take you through the life cycle of CBD tea, discussing formulation to maximize CBD bioavailability, various taste considerations, and sourcing. Then you’ll move onto an overview of how to get your CBD tea into the hands of the consumer, available sales and distribution channels, and marketing considerations. The session leads into a side-by-side tasting of the different types of CBD teas discussed. You will come away with a thorough understanding of, as well as the difference between: decarboxylated botanical hemp, broad spectrum CBD distillate, and CBD isolate.


Speakers
avatar for Thomas Appel

Thomas Appel

Customer Experience Manager
Customer Experience Manager, Thomas Appel, hails from sunny Florida. He was called to the mountains at the age of 18 and quickly moved to Boulder, Colorado, aka “The Himalayas of the West”. Thomas fell in love with tea after sipping strong black teas in a rural village in Eastern... Read More →
avatar for Leigh Audin

Leigh Audin

Warehouse Manager
As Warehouse Manager for The Tea Spot, Leigh Audin’s responsibilities include overseeing the company’s production, order fulfillment, shipping/receiving as well as all tea R&D. His previous professional experience in craft beer development for Avery Brewing here in Colorado and... Read More →
avatar for Fulkerson Ryan

Fulkerson Ryan

Production Manager, The Tea Spot
Ryan Fulkerson is Production Manager at The Tea Spot. Supervising the production team, Ryan is committed to leveraging his team’s diverse skill sets and backgrounds to create the highest quality product and customer experience possible. As The Tea Spot continues to imagine new tea... Read More →


Thursday June 11, 2020 10:15am - 11:15am MDT
Colorado Convention Center

10:15am MDT

The Value of Tea Industry Relationships
Learn the true business value and secrets of developing tea industry relationships beyond the normal business channels. All gleaned from nearly 50 years combined experience talking, walking, buying, sharing and sipping tea around the world.


Speakers
avatar for Bill Waddington

Bill Waddington

Founder/President, TeaSource
Bill Waddington is the founder of TeaSource, a wholesale and retail specialty tea company. As such he imports and blends some of the finest teas from around the world. TeaSource is a 19 year old company with hundreds of wholesale customers all across North America. Bill’s mission... Read More →
avatar for Donna Fellman

Donna Fellman

Former Director, World Tea Academy
Donna’s experience managing tea houses, training staff, and talking to customers convinced herthat the future of the specialty tea industry required a strong foundation in tea education and has focused her work on serving the tea industry’s needs by creating educational programs... Read More →


Thursday June 11, 2020 10:15am - 11:15am MDT
Colorado Convention Center

10:15am MDT

The Science Between Tea and Exercise
People who focus on health often drink tea because they see it as healthy. But in what way is it healthy? The latest research suggests that compounds in tea act on blood vessels, and may contribute to better oxygenation of muscles during exercise. Better oxygenation (and fuel delivery) in turn leads to better muscle function. In this presentation I’ll guide you through the science of muscle function and show you why tea may play an important role in helping muscle work at their best.


Speakers
avatar for Virginia Utermohlen-Lovelace

Virginia Utermohlen-Lovelace

Associate Professor, Taste Science
Virginia is a physician, scientist, and award-winning educator, with a life-long fascination with the science behind our sensory perceptions. Through her research and teaching as faculty member in the Division of Nutritional Sciences at Cornell University (one of the world’s premier... Read More →


Thursday June 11, 2020 10:15am - 11:15am MDT
Colorado Convention Center

11:30am MDT

History's Greatest Tea Sustainably Initiative
Stories of sustainability from the producers at origin. 80% of China's tea is grown by small farms (ie smallholders) yet, China has done more than any other country in terms of sustainably lifting more people out of poverty while also protecting the environment. Learn more about how these great strides are extended across a nation of small tea farms.


Speakers
avatar for Jason Walker

Jason Walker

Marketing Director, Firsd Tea North America
Jason Walker is Marketing Director for Firsd Tea North America (of parent company Zhejiang Tea Group, China's largest tea exporter). His tea experience includes business services for small tea companies, a top-ranked online destination for tea consumer education, and co-founding a... Read More →


Thursday June 11, 2020 11:30am - 12:30pm MDT
Colorado Convention Center

11:30am MDT

Innovation in Tea Dispensing
Today’s tea professionals are honoring tea tradition while driving innovations. Join social entrepreneur Kevin Christiansen on an in depth look at our industry’s most exciting new methods of preparing and serving tea in commercial and prosumer settings.  Participants will study innovations that have worked, failed, and do a deep dive into the science, art, and challenge of TEA ON TAP. Kevin was blown away by inert gas’ potential to WOW an audience a decade ago in the theatrical industry and has brought his passion and knowledge into the tea industry. Nitrogen, CO2, liquid, solid, gas, k-cup, Steampunk, carbonated, and nitrogenated; Kevin has studied or experimented with it all.  This session is sure to make you bubble over with excitement. 


Speakers
avatar for Kevin Christainsen

Kevin Christainsen

Executive Director, Cafe Barnabas
Social entrepreneur Kevin Christiansen challenges tea professionals to dream big! His dream, Café Barnabas was voted Best of Topeka for it's innovative tea. His vision for youth development earned him recognition as one of Topeka’s Top 20 professionals under 40. Kevin's latest... Read More →


Thursday June 11, 2020 11:30am - 12:30pm MDT
Colorado Convention Center
 
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