Latest News from World Tea Expo

World Tea Expo producers partner with Natural Products Expo on new conference

LAS VEGAS (June 8, 2009)—The team that gave the specialty tea industry its biggest annual event is expanding its offerings to the East Coast.

SFG Group, producer of the World Tea Expo®, is launching a second event, World Tea East™. The new regional conference and pavilion will be co-located with Natural Products Expo East, September 23-26, 2009, at the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center. In addition, an East-Coast edition of World Tea Expo’s popular New Business Boot Camp (NBBC) will take place as part of the Boston event.

George Jage, president of SFG Group, said World Tea East achieves three important goals. First, it responds to demand for specialty tea education on the East Coast by industry members who can’t travel to Las Vegas for World Tea Expo in the summer. Second, it provides a sourcing opportunity for holiday product at an ideal time in the tea buying cycle. And finally, it brings knowledge, products and connections from the country’s top specialty tea trade show to the natural products market.

“We’ve had numerous requests to offer our program to people in the Northeast United States, but we didn’t want to have a second, independent show,” Jage said. “Our partnership with Natural Products Expo East is a perfect solution to fill the needs of the industry through a more robust platform.”

World Tea East will begin with the NBBC, Sept. 22-24. The three-day intensive workshop is designed to give budding tea entrepreneurs direct interaction with industry leaders. The World Tea East Core Conference, with sessions geared toward established business owners, runs Sept. 23-24. And the World Tea Pavilion will be a group of exhibits dedicated to specialty tea within the Natural Products Expo show floor, which is open Sept. 24-26.

It won’t be all learning and buying, either. Tapping into their experience producing the tea industry’s most exciting special events, World Tea East organizers also will host the World Tea Championship Winners Tasting on the evening of Sept. 23. At this elegant affair, attendees will have the chance to sample winning teas from the World Tea Championship™, an annual competition that results in independent tea ratings.

“We are thrilled to be working with World Tea,” said Alan Peterson, senior vice president of New Hope Natural Media, which produces Natural Products Expo East. “Specialty tea is a rising star in the natural products industry, so it makes perfect sense for us to partner with the leaders in the specialty tea community.”

(Details should be available at the World Tea Expo site the week of June 15: www.worldteaexpo.com )

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The World Tea Expo® is a robust marketplace that brings together hundreds of new products, the latest industry innovations and relevant, cutting-edge educational sessions, providing tea professionals with a one-stop opportunity to help drive their business, field industry growth and encourage further exploration of the art and science of tea. The World Tea Expo, World Tea News™ , World Tea Championship™ , World Tea Ratings™, World Tea Buyers Guide™, World Tea Webinars™ and Best Tea Business™ awards are produced, SFG Group LLC, a Nevada-based company. The next World Tea Expo will take place at the Las Vegas Convention Center, June 11-13, 2010. For more information, visit www.worldteaexpo.com.

LAS VEGAS (May 12, 2009)—The 2009 World Tea Expo® emerged from unprecedented challenges with overwhelmingly positive feedback from the high-quality visitors and exhibitors who took part in the specialty tea industry’s seventh annual event, held May 2-4 at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas.

Despite the current global economic recession hitting what many believe to be its lowest point, and the H1N1 outbreak causing panic in the days leading up to the Expo, 3,482 tea business professionals got on planes and traveled to Las Vegas. They were drawn by the hundreds of new products on display in the 25,150 net-square-foot exhibition, hot topics covered in the 50-session conference and full menu of special events reflecting the growing excitement of the specialty tea business.

Martin Ekechukwu, CEO of Village Tea Company, chose to launch his new tea room and wholesale tea brand at the Expo. He said it was “a great opportunity to showcase our brand and product as a new company. We were able to generate many retail orders and contacts that we otherwise would not have been able to if we had not participated. The experience was invaluable.”

“I think we were all cautious with expectations this year,” added longtime exhibitor Babette Donaldson, owner of Emma Lee Books. “The size of the show was noticeably smaller, but the quality never reflected a sense of disappointment or hinted at cutting corners. Quite the opposite. I believe this will be one of the years all attendees and vendors will remember.”

Many believed that, although attendance was down about 25 percent compared to 2008, this year’s World Tea Expo drew a higher quality of attendee, facilitating a better business environment.

John Chaffey, sales manager for Metropolitan Tea Company, said, “The WTE did a great job of bringing out the buyers in a challenging market. The traffic was solid and when compared to other trade shows, and the attrition was less noticeable. This was due to the quality and focus of the attendees.”

The World Tea Expo® is a robust marketplace that brings together hundreds of new products, the latest industry innovations and relevant, cutting-edge educational sessions, providing tea professionals with a one-stop opportunity to help drive their business, field industry growth and encourage further exploration of the art and science of tea. The World Tea Expo, World Tea News™ , World Tea Championship™ , World Tea Ratings™, World Tea Buyers Guide™, World Tea Webinars™ and Best Tea Business™ awards are produced by SFG Group LLC, a Nevada-based company. The next World Tea Expo will take place at the Las Vegas Convention Center, June 11-13, 2010. For more information, visit www.worldteaexpo.com.

LAS VEGAS (May 12 2009)—The 2009 World Tea Championship™ (WTC) culminated Saturday, May 2, in an awards ceremony revealing the winners in North America’s only independently and professionally judged tea competition. The event took place as part of the 2009 World Tea Expo^®.

Big winners in the WTC included Rishi Tea, Qtrade Teas & Herbs, PeLi Teas, Ito En and Shangri La Tea Company. A full list of winners is posted on the World Tea Expo Web site at http://www.worldteaexpo.com.

The WTC drew nearly 300 entries by 40 different companies. Participants avowed the seriousness with which the contest was executed, noting that it is playing an enormous role in furthering the growth of the specialty tea business.

“It was a great privilege to judge teas that exemplified the direction specialty teas continue to go in,” said David De Candia, senior manager of tea for the Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf and a member of the panel that conducted blind analyses of all entries. He said the teas he tasted reflected “quality, creativity, expertise and a devotion to tea’s holiness. The future for orthodox specialty tea looks very good indeed.”

Keith Hutjens, director of tea procurement for Tazo Tea Company, said, “Tazo was proud to be a gold sponsor of the World Tea Expo and support the growth of the tea industry within the U.S. … The World Tea Championship is quickly becoming the Academy Awards of the tea industry. The championship is the place for the best teas in the industry to compete for the championship prize.”

He added that he knew Tazo Organic Iced Green, which took first place in the WTC’s sweetened green ready-to-drink category, was a sure winner. “We work very hard to formulate the finest teas and botanicals and actually brew the tea concentrate used in our ready-to-drinks. … This is the number one favorite of most Tazos and we knew it would come out on top in the World Tea Championships. Our partners at Starbucks were thrilled about Tazo’s win.”

Joshua Kaiser, founder and president of Rishi Tea added that the WTC is “helping to elevate the status of tea in this country and around the world, and we are excited to be able to participate in helping to create a sustainable future for growers, importers and retailers.”

He noted that the years to come will bring challenges for the industry. “It is critical that we work together to strive for increasing the quality of the tea as well as the communities in which they are grown and processed. The World Tea Expo is helping to unite our industry and challenging all of us to sharpen up our game,” Kaiser said.

First-time winner Judy Dawson, who does sales and product development for Marketspice, also noted that the WTC provides an incentive for manufacturers to improve their products. “Even if we hadn’t been a winner (we entered last year and did not win), it is still a wonderful learning experience,” she said. “After entering the exact same flavors last year without placing in the contest, we worked on our formulas to improve both flavors, and obviously came out as winners this year.”

Manik Jayakumar, CEO of Qtrade Teas & Herbs, described the WTC as “the central event of the Expo,” adding, “It reflected the enthusiasm and quest for quality by all the contenders and the participants. The U.S. is quickly becoming the market to watch for the global tea industry because of the innovation and the appreciation for high quality teas from all origins – the WTC is the perfect example of this.”

Qtrade took several first place awards, and Jayakumar said, “I am very pleased by our great performance, especially because our awards cut across all origins and categories – from China and the sub-continent to blended and iced teas. Our performance reflects the diversified expertise of our team and our strong sourcing relationships in most producing countries.”

Kim Jage, vice president of sales and marketing for World Tea Expo and the driving force behind the WTC, said she couldn’t have been happier with this year’s championship. “After the inaugural WTC last year, we listened carefully to the industry,” Jage said. “We discussed recommended improvements with industry leaders and implemented changes we all agreed would make the program even stronger. The positive feedback we’ve received demonstrates that this approach is working. Collectively, participants are shaping an industry.”

The World Tea Expo® is a robust marketplace that brings together hundreds of new products, the latest industry innovations and relevant, cutting-edge educational sessions, providing tea professionals with a one-stop opportunity to help drive their business, field industry growth and encourage further exploration of the art and science of tea. The World Tea Expo, World Tea News™ , World Tea Championship™ , World Tea Ratings™, World Tea Buyers Guide™, World Tea Webinars™ and Best Tea Business™ awards are produced by SFG Group LLC, a Nevada-based company. The next World Tea Expo will take place at the Las Vegas Convention Center, June 11-13, 2010. For more information, visit www.worldteaexpo.com.

LAS VEGAS (April 27, 2009)—In its second year, North America’s only independently and professionally judged tea competition is set to surpass its successful debut. The 2009 World Tea Championship™ (WTC) has attracted nearly 300 entries by 40 companies, compared with 270 entries in its first run last year.

The winners of this year’s championship will be announced during an awards ceremony and networking reception this Saturday, May 2, at Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas. The celebration is part of the 2009 World Tea Expo® , running May 2-4 at Mandalay Bay.

“The fact that the World Tea Championship has generated so much interest, particularly in the present economy, is a testament to the strength of the specialty tea market,” said Kim Jage, vice president of sales and marketing for World Tea Expo. “Having independent, third-party evaluations of teas to help consumers make educated choices will make this market even stronger.”

Professional cuppers and major retail buyers of tea conduct a blind, sensory analysis of entries, in order to distinguish the highest quality and best tasting teas commercially available in North America. This year’s judges come from a range of prominent food and beverage industry players, such as the Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, Peet’s Coffee & Tea, Whole Foods Market and Innovative Dining Group.

The WTC has two separate classes for hot and iced tea, and each class has its own categories and judging panel. The Hot Tea class will be evaluated April 30-May 1. The Iced Tea class will be evaluated May 2. The highest quality and best tasting teas from each category are awarded 1st, 2nd and 3rd prizes.

“While still evolving, the World Tea Championship has helped clear clouds from complexities of tea selection. Buyers can not only get an idea about standardized categories, but also can learn to evaluate the various characteristics of tea judges look at during the judging process,” said Mayank Bansal, senior executive vice president for Chamong Inc. “The better educated tea buyers and consumers are, the more appreciative they are to specialty tea and related products.”

Mike Spillane, president of the G.S. Haly Company, said, “Aside from the obvious marketing benefits, I appreciate that this competition outlines the main processing categories of Camellia Sinensis (tea) and helps maintain established benchmarks for the ‘classic’ characteristics within these categories.”

Each year, World Tea Expo attracts thousands of retailers, tea room owners, spa managers, specialty grocery store owners and other business professionals to view more than 200 specialty tea wholesale suppliers and related vendors exhibiting new products and innovations. The Expo has increased in size and scope for the last six years consecutively, earning it and its organizers multiple awards for growth and vision.

To learn more about the 2009 World Tea Championship, visit www.worldteaexpo.com.

LAS VEGAS (April 23, 2009)—World Tea Expo is pleased to announce the winners of the 2009 World Tea Expo New Product Awards. Although the Expo highlighted new products for the specialty tea industry at the last two shows, this year marks the first time it honors the most innovative and creative products with awards.

Exhibitors submitted 200 new products for display, and all of them will be highlighted in showcases at the 2009 World Tea Expo, May 2-4 at Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas.

“It was extremely difficult to pick just eight out of such a large group of truly imaginative and interesting products,” said Kim Jage, vice president of sales and marketing for World Tea Expo and a member of the committee that selected winners. “But we felt it was important to give the best of the best the recognition they deserve, as well as call attention to all the amazing innovation going on in the specialty tea business.”

Out of the 200 products, the committee nominated 22 finalists for top honors. Eight products – one in each of eight categories – have won awards. They will be noted in the official World Tea Expo show guide, at their booths in the exhibit hall, and in the new product showcase displays.

. • Accessories category: Tea Butler, Tea Butler Illuminated Tea Selection Chests (Booth 316)

. • Baked Goods category: The Tea House Times, Victorian House Scones (Booth 511)

. • Innovation category: Northwest Glass Designs, Double Wall Tea Cup 16oz. (Booth 610)

. • Open Class: Sungarden Specialty Tea, Hario Chaor Tea Maker (Booth 515)

. • Publication category: Benjamin Press, The New Tea Companion: A Guide to Teas throughout the World (Booth 701)

. • Tea as an Ingredient category: Torn Ranch, Green Tea Gourmet Gift Tray (Booth 215)

“We’re just elated that the committee chose us as a winner in the tea accessory category,” said Tea Butler President Fran Terry. “We have finally realized our dream for the Butler product line with the ultimate tea presentation chest, an illuminated version which brings the tea presentation process to a new elegant level.”

“The entire staff at Torn Ranch was honored and thrilled that our Green Tea Gourmet Gift Tray was selected,” added Rich Shaffer, sales director for Torn Ranch. “We can’t say that we were aiming to win an award – but that we are constantly working with our tea business based clients, to help them reach their business and lifestyle goals.”

Bruce Richardson, owner of Benjamin Press, noted: “Jane Pettigrew and I receive feedback from tea professionals, in both the United States and England, who tell us they use this book for staff training. They are constantly turning to it as a major reference tool as they search for brewing instructions and tasting notes. Thanks to the growing awareness of specialty teas, this book, now in its third edition, continues to be a basic resource in every serious tea drinker's library.”

To register for or find more information about the 2009 World Tea Expo, visit www.worldteaexpo.com.

The World Tea Expo® is a robust marketplace that brings together hundreds of new products, the latest industry innovations and relevant, cutting-edge educational sessions, providing tea professionals with a one-stop opportunity to help drive their business, field industry growth and encourage further exploration of the art and science of tea. The Fastest 50 awards are given by Tradeshow Week Magazine, a leading publication covering the trade and consumer event industry. The World Tea Expo, World Tea News™ , World Tea Championship™ , World Tea Ratings™, World Tea Buyers Guide™, World Tea Webinars™ and Best Tea Business™ awards are produced by SFG Group LLC, a Nevada-based company. The next World Tea Expo will take place at Mandalay Bay Resort in Las Vegas, May 2-4, 2009. For more information, visit www.worldteaexpo.com.

NEW TEA PRODUCTS REFLECT BETTER EDUCATED CONSUMERS

Innovations to be highlighted at World Tea Expo in Las Vegas, May 2-4

LAS VEGAS (April 15, 2009)—The new products being highlighted at the upcoming 2009 World Tea Expo include sleek tea ware designs, smart packaging solutions and sophisticated brewing technology. This year’s crop of innovations reflects the demands of consumers that are moving beyond mainstream, bagged tea and becoming familiar with the specialty market.

The products will be on display from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. May 2-3 and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 4 in the exhibit hall of the World Tea Expo at Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas.

The following highlights are just a fraction of what you can see at the show.

Green Tea Kettle by Adagio Teas – So, you think your tea kettle is smart? This one knows the correct water temperature for specific kinds of tea – not just white, green, oolong or black, but also, for instance, Japanese versus Chinese green tea.

Wine Inspired Teas by International Tea Importers – With its subtleties of terroire and mouth-feel, tea has been drawing comparisons to wine for years. It was only a matter of time before someone brought the two together, as in these wine-flavored teas.

Get Real, Get Loose by Teas Etc – You know a company that starts its product description with “Ditch the old bag” has a sense of humor. But this one’s got brains, too. Get Real, Get Loose solves for once and for all the annoying problem of having too much tea, not enough filters (or vice versa) by putting the two together! Duh.

AB Formulator by Cirqua Customized Water – It may sound like a character from the next “Terminator” movie, but it’s actually a customized dispenser that allows store operators to digitally set the exact flavor of their water.

Tea Maker “Frugal,” by Dethlefsen & Balk – If you can’t introduce a novice to tea with this ultra-convenient teapot-infuser combo, give up; they’re hopeless. When the tea is steeped, just push a button, and the infuser basket separates itself from the tea by rising to the top.

Hospitality Teapot by FORLIFE – Could there be a better place to introduce the masses to loose-leaf tea than in restaurants? With an unbreakable, non-drip spout, durable porcelain body and removable infuser, this pot is specially designed for foodservice.

Hario Leaf Tea Maker by Sungarden Specialty Tea – You won’t find a brew pot like this on every shelf in every corner store. Sungarden is the official North American importer of tea ware by Hario, which, in Japanese means “King of Glass.”

Double Wall Tea Cup by Northwest Glass Designs – Speaking of glass, this 16-ounce cup is designed to insulate the drinker’s delicate fingers from the hot tea inside. It’s so sexy and smart, maybe they should’ve called it The Julia Roberts.

Illuminated Tea Selection Chests by Tea Butler – Ever felt like tea is so magical it glows? Tea Butler makes it happen – literally – with these special presentation chests featuring descriptive plaques and jars that light up.

World Tea Championship Tea Sampler by PeLi Teas – Also taking presentation to new heights is PeLi Teas, which places a selection of its award-winning whole leaf Chinese teas in hand-folded pyramid sachets, and offers them in bamboo boxes.

Green Tea Gourmet Gift Tray by Torn Ranch – This boxed set presents Splendid Specialties’ gourmet chocolate bars, candies and cookies infused with Jasmine tea. If this doesn’t satisfy your green tea craving, you may need to seek help.

Morning Lychee Green Tea Bars and Mints by Sencha Naturals – Sencha continues to break new ground in tea’s uses as an ingredient. Not only has it added the tantalizing morning lychee flavor to its mints and bars, but it has also obtained certified vegan, kosher and fair trade status for both product lines.

Gourmet Tea Cookies by Botanical Bakery – For those more interested in having tea with their cookies than in their cookies, Botanical Bakery created these delicate treats. Made in small batches, they feature organic ingredients and flavors like lavender, cinnamon, basil, lemon, thyme and cardamom.

Victorian House Scones by the Tea House Times – Here’s a tea side dish for the more traditional crowd. Unlike most packaged powders, these allow bakers to be creative and use high-quality ingredients – all with the convenience of a mix.

Silk Georgette Scarves by Harshita Designs – So, you’ve got the perfect tea and side dish… What’s missing? Fancy clothes! Designer Harshita Lohia has taken care of that with her line of tea-inspired silk scarves.

Detox Formula – Internal Supplement and Total Detox Bath by Jadience Herbal Formulas

– Those looking for a high-powered supplement will find it in these bottles. Jadience says its detox formula is made up of 25 percent active herbal ingredients, including dandelion root and burdock. The bath formula also has ledebouriella and moutan.

To register for or find more information about the 2009 World Tea Expo, visit
www.worldteaexpo.com.

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The World Tea Expo® is a robust marketplace that brings together hundreds of new products, the latest industry innovations and relevant, cutting-edge educational sessions, providing tea professionals with a one-stop opportunity to help drive their business, field industry growth and encourage further exploration of the art and science of tea. The Fastest 50 awards are given by Tradeshow Week Magazine, a leading publication covering the trade and consumer event industry. The World Tea Expo, World Tea News™ , World Tea Championship™ , World Tea Ratings™, World Tea Buyers Guide™, World Tea Webinars™ and Best Tea Business™ awards are produced by SFG Group LLC, a Nevada-based company. The next World Tea Expo will take place at Mandalay Bay Resort in Las Vegas, May 2-4, 2009. For more information, visit www.worldteaexpo.com.

LAS VEGAS (March 17, 2009)—Without leaving their home country, most people in North America would not have the chance to take tea with a Japanese tea master, witness an authentic Chinese tea ceremony, see how Taiwanese artisans roll their famous oolongs or observe the ancient art of Matcha making. They will get the chance to experience all these things – as well as participate in the first-ever live tea cocktail mixing competition – during the special events taking place at the 2009 World Tea Expo at Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas, May 2-4.

On Saturday, May 2, attendees at the Expo will be treated to an Opening Tea Ceremony by Japanese

Tea Master Sen So-oku, a 15-generation descendant of Sen-No-Rikyu, founder of chanoyu (“the Way of Tea”). Creator of the Modern Teaism philosophy, Sen So-oku will lead a ritual that brings to life his belief that the art of tea is part of everyday life. Five additional, intimate versions of this ceremony will be offered Saturday and Sunday.

“Drinking tea is a universal custom, but I think it is only chanoyu that has a long history and intricate characteristics and artistic inclination,” Sen So-oku said. “I want people at World Tea Expo to experience it.”

Saturday afternoon, the Green Teahouse’s Ting Chaponis will lead an Authentic Chinese Tea Ceremony, marking Expo attendees’ second opportunity for a singular cultural experience. Held sacred by China’s aristocrats, spiritual and political leaders, intellectuals and poets, the centuries-old tea ceremony honors the sensual richness and individual nature of each tea presented.

Also on Saturday, – without leaving the Expo show floor – attendees will be spirited to Taiwan for a live Oolong Rolling Demonstration, displaying the ancient craft of creating high mountain oolong teas. This process, rarely seen by Americans, involves tightly packing leaves into large canvas cloths that are rolled by hand, foot or machine, and then briefly firing the leaves to dry and separate them.

“From this demonstration, attendees will see that a fine tea actually requires persistence of quality assurance through repeated rolling, until the tea master is fully satisfied,” said Thomas Shu, vice president of ABC Tea House and an expert on Taiwan teas.

On Sunday, visitors to the Expo will get the chance to see How Matcha is Made. The process, begun in the 16th century, involves grinding tencha leaves with great precision on an intricately carved granite stone until they form the satiny powder that is mixed with water to form the bright green Japanese tea known as Matcha. The grinding wheel itself is a rare work of art, as only 50 carvers who know how to make them are estimated to remain in Japan.

The final first experience on World Tea Expo’s menu of special events is uniquely American: the Top Tea Cocktail. Online voting preceding the Expo will determine the 15 finalists who will take place in a live cocktail mixing and tasting competition on the show floor. A panel of industry experts will pick the best cocktail, which will be featured in Food & Beverage Magazine, as well as Imbibe Magazine.

“At our Las Vegas steakhouse, Boa, we have been recognized twice with an Epicurean Award for Best Cocktail. We love the concept of tea-based cocktails to keep on the cutting edge and create trends in the market,” said Michael Cardenas, owner of Innovative Dining.

Each year, World Tea Expo attracts thousands of retailers, tea room owners, spa managers, specialty grocery store owners and other business professionals to view more than 300 specialty tea wholesale suppliers and related vendors exhibiting new products and innovations. The Expo has increased in size and scope for the last six years consecutively, earning it and its organizers multiple awards for growth and vision.

To register or find more information about the 2009 World Tea Expo, visit www.worldteaexpo.com.

The World Tea Expo® is a robust marketplace that brings together hundreds of new products, the latest industry innovations and relevant, cutting-edge educational sessions, providing tea professionals with a one-stop opportunity to help drive their business, field industry growth and encourage further exploration of the art and science of tea. The Fastest 50 awards are given by Tradeshow Week Magazine, a leading publication covering the trade and consumer event industry. The World Tea Expo, World Tea News™ , World Tea Championship™ , World Tea Ratings™, World Tea Buyers Guide™, World Tea Webinars™ and Best Tea Business™ awards are produced by SFG Group LLC, a Nevada-based company. The next World Tea Expo will take place at Mandalay Bay Resort in Las Vegas, May 2-4, 2009. For more information, visit www.worldteaexpo.com.

LAS VEGAS (Feb. 26, 2009)—The past year’s top news stories have included an unusually high number about food safety, from the melamine milk contamination in China to tainted peanut butter in the United States. Food safety issues like these will be among the hot topics addressed by researchers during the Executive and Technical Series of the 2009 World Tea Expo at Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas, May 2-4.

Launched at last year’s Expo, the Executive and Technical Series (or ETS) is a high-level conference with content for top executives, research scientists, ingredient managers and product formulators of large companies. It runs concurrently with the Expo but features exclusive sessions, meals and networking for ETS attendees only. Responding to requests by last year’s participants for more time with their colleagues, this year’s ETS has been expanded to three days, May 2-4.

In keeping with current events, this year’s ETS offers attendees opportunities to learn the latest research and policy developments related to food safety issues and functional ingredients. For instance, in the session, “The China Syndrome,” American Botanical Council Founder and Executive Director Mark Blumenthal will examine new policies and procedures of government agencies, nonprofit groups and businesses for ensuring delivery of unadulterated, uncontaminated products.

Taking the view from within the United States, James R. Prochnow, an attorney and shareholder with Greenberg Traurig, will present, “The Implications of Changes in FDA Import Regulations.” This session will address the FDA’s Lacey Act, Prior Notice of Imported Foods rule and other government regulations that affect the food and beverage business.

Turning to the rush for functional ingredients, Herb Research Foundation President Rob McCaleb will offer the “Bioavailability of Antioxidants in Tea.” In this session, attendees will learn whether and how the antioxidants found in tea are available as ingredients to researchers and developers.

In addition to these examples of sessions on the most talked-about issues facing beverage scientists and executives, six other presentations will be given, including the return of last year’s popular market reports by leading national and international data providers.

The high-quality content offered at last year’s ETS drew attendees from Nestlé, Dr.Pepper/Snapple Group, Tetley Canada, Mooreganics, Bigelow Tea Company, Mars Drinks and many other top global companies. More than 90 percent of ETS attendees surveyed last year said they intended to return this year, and the same number indicated they would recommend it to a colleague.

For more information about the 2009 World Tea Expo or Executive and Technical Series, visit www.worldteaexpo.com. To register, go to the Web site or call (702) 253-1893.

*Note to Media: For more information about the 2009 World Tea Expo and entrance to the Expo, media should contact Lenora Kruk-Mullanaphy at lmullanaphy@gmail.com or (540) 752-8269.

The World Tea Expo® is a robust marketplace that brings together hundreds of new products, the latest industry innovations and relevant, cutting-edge educational sessions, providing tea professionals with a one-stop opportunity to help drive their business, field industry growth and encourage further exploration of the art and science of tea. The Fastest 50 awards are given by Tradeshow Week Magazine, a leading publication covering the trade and consumer event industry. The World Tea Expo, World Tea News™ , World Tea Championship™ , World Tea Ratings™, World Tea Buyers Guide™, World Tea Webinars™ and Best Tea Business™ awards are produced by SFG Group LLC, a Nevada-based company. The next World Tea Expo will take place at Mandalay Bay Resort in Las Vegas, May 2-4, 2009. For more information, visit www.worldteaexpo.com.

LAS VEGAS (Feb. 10, 2009)—American business owners can hardly go a day without receiving more bad economic news. It hasn’t crushed their entrepreneurial spirit, but it has left many wondering if now is the right time to execute plans they’ve been making over the past year. Those starting or already running tea businesses will find concrete, useful advice on what to do next at the 2009 World Tea Expo at Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas, May 2-4.

The Expo’s organizers designed this year’s conference program to answer the most pressing questions tea room owners and other tea retailers have about how to market and sell their products, and run their shops in the current environment.

In Lessons From the Front: Modeling a Successful Tea Shop, Charles Cain, director of U.S. Operations for TeaGschwendner USA, will share the universal truths the company has discovered while becoming the largest tea retailer in the world. Over three decades, TeaGschwendner has tried and proven its business model through its expansion to nine countries on four continents.

“In a market filled with new, untested chain concepts and small businesses with unknown track records, knowing what and who to emulate can be difficult,” Cain said. “For 90 minutes I’ll pull back the curtain and share some surprising and critical lessons from our journey. Whether you own a chain of stores or are still drafting a business plan, I can guarantee that you’ll leave with a new and deeper understanding of what it takes to create lasting success in the tea business.”

Tea Room Survival will teach attendees how to set realistic goals and timelines, maximize profits by managing costs, create inexpensive marketing materials to reach new customers, and more. Dean Jablon, president and CEO of Mulberry Tea House in Medford, N.J., will lead the session, drawing on his own experience with staying profitable in a soft economy.

“If you have asked yourself whether it’s time to sell your business and move on, or how you are going to develop new strategies to become successful in this changing market, you will benefit from this session,” Jablon said.

The conference program includes many other sessions that cannot be missed by anyone looking for readily applicable information and ideas. Here are just a few examples:

Sell Your Tea Online Successfully, presented by Michael Cramer, marketing manager for Adagio Teas, will reveal how to harness the powerful forces of technology to increase sales.

Connecting With Your Customers – How to Keep the Ones You’re Losing, presented by Jeffrey Hattrick, afternoon tea maitre d’ at the Ritz Carlton Phoenix, will explain how to nurture loyalty while using resources efficiently.

Market Your Tea as an Affordable Luxury, presented by Mellisa Stafford, co-owner of Fava Tea Company, will focus on tea’s unique selling proposition in a tough economy.

Price It Right and Sell It Smart, presented by Robert Hedrick, president of Holton & Health, will address the basics of pricing and selling merchandise.

Excite, Enlighten & Entertain Your Customers, presented by Kerstin Wingert, founder of Souvia Tea, will show how to plan events that entice customers again and again.

For more information about the 2009 World Tea Expo, visit www.worldteaexpo.com. To register, go to the Web site or call (702) 253-1893.

*Note to Media: For more information about the 2009 World Tea Expo and entrance to the Expo, media should contact Lenora Kruk-Mullanaphy at lmullanaphy@gmail.com or (540) 752-8269.

The World Tea Expo® is a robust marketplace that brings together hundreds of new products, the latest industry innovations and relevant, cutting-edge educational sessions, providing tea professionals with a one-stop opportunity to help drive their business, field industry growth and encourage further exploration of the art and science of tea. The Fastest 50 awards are given by Tradeshow Week Magazine, a leading publication covering the trade and consumer event industry. The World Tea Expo, World Tea News™ , World Tea Championship™ , World Tea Ratings™, World Tea Buyers Guide™, World Tea Webinars™ and Best Tea Business™ awards are produced by SFG Group LLC, a Nevada-based company. The next World Tea Expo will take place at Mandalay Bay Resort in Las Vegas, May 2-4, 2009. For more information, visit www.worldteaexpo.com.

WORLD TEA EXPO ’09 REGISTRATION IN FULL SWING

New sessions, attendee appreciation program and other additions entice attendees

LAS VEGAS, NV (January 8, 2009)—Anticipating another banner year, organizers of the 2009 World Tea Expo® have created several new programs responding to industry trends and attendee requests, adding them to the well-established educational conference and exhibition that make World Tea Expo the must-attend annual event for the global tea industry. The Attendee Appreciation Program, in-depth roundtable discussions and a World Tea Championship Awards Ceremony and Networking reception are some of the new features at the 2009 World Tea Expo at Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas, May 2-4.

The Attendee Appreciation Program is a package of perks for participants who have attended the Expo for the past three consecutive years. To thank and recognize them, organizers are offering these repeat attendees 50 percent off registration conference fees; waived exhibit hall fees; extended exhibit hall hours to meet privately with vendors; no waiting at registration, special events and sessions; a private relaxation lounge for networking and foot massages; complimentary beverages at special events; in-room amenities; and personal concierge services.

The Attendee Appreciation Program also includes an exclusive invitation to join Master Sen So-oku, Japan’s next grand tea master in Mushakoji-Senke, for a tea ceremony. Master Sen So-oku’s Modern Teaism philosophy is the centerpiece of another special event at the Expo, a series of open and intimate tea ceremonies in which he will share his unique gifts in the art of tea.

The World Tea Championship™ (WTC) returns for its second year, but with a new element: Winners will receive their trophies in an awards ceremony during the Networking Reception Sunday, May 3. The WTC is the only independent competition judged by professional cuppers and buyers to distinguish the highest quality and best-tasting teas commercially available in North America. All teas submitted in the WTC receive a World Tea Rating®, which provides the industry with a rating system for teas similar to those used in the wine industry.

The World Tea Expo educational conference is hailed as the most comprehensive education on tea in the world, and anchoring it is the Core Conference Program & Skill Building Workshops, designed to meet the needs of tea room and coffee shop owners, retailers, foodservice professionals, spa owners and grocers.

Two specialized programs that complement the Core Conference, the New Business Boot Camp (NBBC) and Executive and Technical Series (ETS), return this year, following rave reviews from participants in their inaugural run last year. The NBBC, April 30-May 1, is designed for entrepreneurs who want to start or have recently begun tea businesses, while the ETS, May 2-4, caters to top executives, research scientists, ingredient managers and product formulators of large companies.

For more information about the 2009 World Tea Expo, visit http://www.worldteaexpo.com. To register, visit the Web site or call (702) 253-1893. *Note to Media: For more information about the World Tea Expo ’09 and entrance to the Expo, media representatives should contact Lenora Kruk-Mullanaphy. Click here to email Lenora or phone (540) 752-8269.

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The World Tea Expo® is a robust marketplace that brings together hundreds of new products, the latest industry innovations and relevant, cutting-edge educational sessions, providing tea professionals with a one-stop opportunity to help drive their business, field industry growth and encourage further exploration of the art and science of tea. The Fastest 50 awards are given by Tradeshow Week Magazine, a leading publication covering the trade and consumer event industry. The World Tea Expo, World Tea News™ , World Tea Championship™ , World Tea Ratings™, World Tea Buyers Guide™, World Tea Webinars™ and Best Tea Business™ awards are produced by SFG Group LLC, a Nevada-based company. The next World Tea Expo will take place at Mandalay Bay Resort in Las Vegas, May 2-4, 2009. For more information, visit www.worldteaexpo.com.

BACK TO TOP

World Tea Expo Offers a Cure for Economic Flu
Innovation, opportunity provide remedy to recession

LAS VEGAS (Dec. 8, 2008)-The 2009 World Tea Expo ® is projecting record attendance - not despite the current economy, but, at least partially, because of it. Historically, economic downturns have inspired entrepreneurs to launch businesses in niche industries. With specialty tea offering a highly profitable and fast-growing opportunity in the United States, the World Tea Expo and the industry are preparing for a banner year.

A Thriving Industry

Sales of specialty and premium tea in the U.S. are skyrocketing. Earlier this year, market research firm Packaged Facts forecasted that U.S. tea sales would double in five years, from $7.4 billion in 2007 to $15 billion by 2012. The firm further projected that, over the same period, the specialty tea segment of the market would grow to comprise more than half of these total sales, up from its current share of 36 percent. This translates into nearly $5 billion in new specialty tea sales each year for five years - more than double the growth of commercial grade tea.

History Repeats Itself

"In the past few years, we have already seen startups by former CEOs of major national companies, acquisitions by leading conglomerates and investments in top brands by private-equity firms," commented George Jage, President and Founder of the World Tea Expo. "We are expecting an avalanche of entrepreneurs starting their own tea businesses, much like what happened with specialty coffee almost two decades ago."

Karen Foley, Publisher of Imbibe Magazine , recalled, "It was amazing to see so many people leaving 20-year careers at Fortune 500 companies to open independent coffee shops, but it brought an enormous amount of diversity and experience into the coffee community."

From 1993 to 1998, the Specialty Coffee Association of America 's membership grew from 300 to nearly 2,000, according to industry consultant and former SCAA executive Mike Ferguson .
With U.S. unemployment figures reaching record levels, financial experts are advising those who've considered starting their own business to do it now. In fact, 18 of the 30 current Dow Jones industrial index companies were launched during economic downturns, according to venture capital firm Reference Capital Management.

Proven Success and Innovation

World Tea Expo is the leading content, education and event provider for the tea industry. Tradeshow Week magazine has twice recognized the Expo with a Fastest 50 ® award, honoring it as one of the most successful events in North America.

The 2009 World Tea Expo is preparing for a massive influx of entrepreneurs into the tea business. The show organizers, who are recognized leaders in producing innovative, face-to-face meetings, are unveiling riveting new programs, educational sessions and events.

The 2009 innovations include a new attendee appreciation program, invitation-only roundtable discussions for key industry buyers, and the launch of the Best Tea Business™ awards, recognizing companies whose exceptional business practices provide a beacon for the growing industry.

Jage says, "Our goal is to create opportunities that can't be found elsewhere, to provide value to attendees and to keep the Expo the must-attend event of the global tea industry."

World Tea Expo features nearly 400 leading companies in the specialty tea business from around the world, including producers from almost every major growing region. Alongside the Expo is a robust educational program, featuring a New Business Boot Camp, an Executive & Technical Series, Skill-Building Workshops and Focused Tastings - all in addition to the more than 40 sessions in the Core Conference Program.

Also held in conjunction with the event is the much anticipated second annual World Tea Championship™, an independent evaluation of the top teas from around the world. The winners will be announced during the new awards ceremony at the Expo.

The World Tea Expo will be held May 2-4, 2009, at Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas.
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The World Tea Expo® is a robust marketplace that brings together hundreds of new products, the latest industry innovations and relevant, cutting-edge educational sessions, providing tea professionals with a one-stop opportunity to help drive their business, fuel industry growth and encourage further exploration of the art and science of tea. The Fastest 50™ awards are given by Tradeshow Week Magazine, a leading publication covering the trade and consumer event industry. The World Tea Expo®, World Tea News™, World Tea Championship™, World Tea Ratings™, World Tea Buyers Guide™, World Tea Webinars™, and Best Tea Business™ awards are produced by SFG Group LLC, a Nevada-based company. The next World Tea Expo® will take place at Mandalay Bay Resort in Las Vegas, May 2-4, 2009. For more information, visit www.worldteaexpo.com .

World Tea Expo recognized for rapid growth again
For the second time in three years, World Tea Expo® has been named one of TSW's Fastest 50, the annual list of the most vibrant events in North America.

Las Vegas (August 1, 2008)—For the second time in three years, World Tea Expo® has been named one of TSW’s Fastest 50, the annual list of the most vibrant events in North America.

From 2005 through 2007, the period measured for this year’s awards, the Expo had compounded annual growth of 30 percent in attendance, 28 percent in exhibiting firms and 25 percent in exhibit space. It was also a Fastest 50 show in 2006.

“This is the Oscars of the trade show community, and we are honored to once again be on the list,” said George Jage, President of World Tea Expo®. “When we started this Expo, many people didn’t believe the tea community could sustain its own trade event. Tradeshow Week’s recognition truly belongs to the exhibitors and attendees who proved those naysayers wrong. We are optimistic that we will take the top honor this year.”

The Fastest 50 awards are given by Tradeshow Week magazine, a leading publication covering the trade and consumer event industry. Producers of Fastest 50 shows will meet in Baltimore on Nov. 8, when the overall fastest-growing events will be announced at a black-tie gala.

The next World Tea Expo® will take place at Mandalay Bay Resort in Las Vegas, May 2-4, 2009. For more information, visit www.worldteaexpo.com .

Las Vegas, NV--June 10, 2008—With a record number of participants flooding the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas, the World Tea Expo^®was a true reflection of the growing category it serves. For five consecutive years, the Expo has increased in size and scope, this year hosting 284 exhibiting companies and 4,632 attendees. Participants hailed from 49 countries including Germany, Canada, Korea, India, and South Africa. "In light of current economic conditions, this year's Expo was highly successful—especially in terms of the quality of buyers present," said George Jage, World Tea Expo^®President. "This is a testament to the strength and vitality of the tea industry in North America."

The quality of the buyers was a common theme among exhibitors who attended the event, May 30-June 1, 2008. Many exhibitors stated that this was the best World Tea Expo^®yet for attracting key decision makers with purchasing power. According to Joel Rosenberg from Golden Star Tea Co. “It was our first time exhibiting at World Tea Expo^®and I was impressed by the diverse types of accounts visiting our booth, which included domestic and foreign retailers, as well as distributors. The interest and orders generated were significant.” Those comments were echoed across the exhibit floor and supported by post-show statistics, stating that more than 85 percent of attendees played a role in the purchasing process. Buyers included those from mega corporations such as HomeGoods, McDonalds, Amazon.com, Wegmans, Whole Foods Market, Bellagio Resort, Wynn Las Vegas and more.

The Expo also debuted a number of new features including the much-anticipated World Tea Championship™, a two-day intensive New Business Boot Camp™ for new and aspiring tea business owners and an Executive and Technical Series™ for top executives, research scientists, product formulators and ingredient managers. On the show floor, participants enjoyed Cooking With Tea demonstrations by celebrity chefs; Japanese, Chinese and Korean tea ceremonies; and a new cupping pavilion where exhibiting tea companies could conduct tastings with prospective buyers.

The expo has touted a 34 percent annual compounded average growth since its inception in 2003 and will continue to mirror the industry’s phenomenal growth. The World Tea Expo^®will return to the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, May 2-4, 2009. For more information on the World Tea Expo^®visit www.worldteaexpo.com.

The World Tea Expo^®is a robust marketplace that brings together hundreds of new products, the latest industry innovations and relevant, cutting-edge educational sessions, providing tea professionals with a one-stop opportunity to help drive their business, fuel industry growth and encourage further exploration of the art and science of tea. As the first and fastest growing North American trade show dedicated solely to the tea industry—the World Tea Expo^®attracts more than 4,500 leading tea professionals, merchandisers, R&D executives, scientists and entrepreneurs annually. The World Tea Expo^®is produced by SFG Group LLC, headquartered in Las Vegas, NV. For more information, visit www.worldteaexpo.com.

Press Contact: Jacquelyn Clair Marketing Design Group Phone: 619.298.1445 x106 Click here to Email:

Las Vegas, NV—June 5, 2008 -- The winners of the inaugural World Tea Championship™ were announced at the World Tea Expo^®, May 30-June 1, 2008. The championship, touted as one of the decade’s most groundbreaking initiatives in the tea business, is expected to elevate the perception of tea, the independence of the category and increase consumer awareness—much like the Parking Rating System did for the wine industry. In fact, the parallels between tea and wine are astounding. Like its alcoholic counterpart, tea characteristics are influenced yearly by geographic location, weather, soil conditions, manufacturing processes and craftsmanship. All participating teas in the competition were critically evaluated by the brewed color, brewed aroma, brewed flavor, brewed mouthfeel and brewed harmony. The winners will be able to use the results on packaging and promotions to further assist consumers in anticipating what to expect from their purchase. According to George Jage, World Tea Expo^®President, “This competition was an undeniable success. The excitement and support from the industry was phenomenal, we had more than 200 teas submitted by 30 companies from around the world. It’s time the tea industry broke with its constant comparison with its distant cousin, coffee, and assumed its rightful place alongside its closer kindred, wine.”

The Hot Tea Class is divided into 22 different categories, plus three Super Categories, reflecting the most recognized and popular tea types, blends and herbals. The top five finalists in the Hot Tea Class were selected prior to the event and were evaluated again live on the show floor, Friday, May 30 to determine the “Best Tea” in each category. Judges included professional cuppers and industry recognized experts Charles Cain,

TeaGschwendner; Joshua Kaiser, Rishi Tea; Jane Pettigrew; James Norwood Pratt, Tea Society; Thomas Schulze, Dethlefsen & Balk; Mike Spillane, G.S. Haly Company; Anthony Tellin, Tazo Tea and David Walker, Walker Tea. Judges whose teas made it to the finals were not allowed to judge that category. Hot Tea Class winners are below:

Black Blended/Flavored: Black Celebration, Qtrade Teas & Herbs Breakfast Blend (tie): Organic China Breakfast, Rishi Tea; East Friesian Breakfast Tea, SpecialTeas Darjeeling 2nd Flush: Darjeeling Jungpana 2nd Flush, Qtrade Teas & Herbs Earl Grey: Organic Earl Grey, Rishi Tea OP: Chamraj Orange Pekoe, The United Nilgiri Tea Estates Co.

Green Blended/Flavored: Genmai Cha, Sugimoto USA China Style: Zhejiang Green Tea, PeLi Teas, LLC Hand-Tied Flowering: Jasmine Bloom, Adagio Teas Japan Style: Organic Sencha, Rishi Tea Jasmine Common: Jasmine Mao Feng, Qtrade Teas & Herbs Jasmine Premium: Organic Jasmine Pearl, Rishi Tea

Herbal Chamomile: Organic Chamomile Lavender, Teas Etc. Hibiscus: Hibiscus Blossom, TeaGschwendner USA Mint: Organic Peppermint Rooibos, Rishi Tea Red Rooibos: Superior Cut, International Tea Importers Herbal Rooibos Blend: Rooibos Lemon Chiffon, SpecialTeas

Oolong Blended / Flavored: Mandarin Silk, Art of Tea Dark: Formosa Superior Taifu, TeaGschwendner USA Green: Ti Quan Yin (Autumn), PeLi Teas, LLC

Super Black: Assam Marangi, TeaGschwendner USA Green: Top Liu An Gua Pian (Melon Slice), PeLi Teas, LLC Oolong: Phoobsering, Chamong

White Bai Mu Dan: China Pai Mu Tan, TeaGschwendner USA Blended/Flavored: Organic Osthmanthus Silver Needle, Rishi Tea Silver Needle: Organic Silver Needle, Rishi Tea

The Iced Tea Class evaluation was done entirely at the Expo on Saturday, May 31 and is categorized by the three primary market applications and sales channels: ready-to-drink, foodservice and freestyle. The World Tea Championship™ Iced Tea Class winners are below:

Foodservice Best Value: Walters Bay -Black Unflavored, Walters Bay Bogawantalawa Estates Black Flavored: Gold Rush, International Tea Importers Black Unflavored: Bl Blend, International Tea Importers Green Flavored: Organic Pomegranate Melon Green Tea, Shangri La Tea Co. Green Unflavored: Organic Green, Shangri La Tea Co. Herbal Flavored: Natural Berry, Ceylon Teas/Silkenty

Freestyle Best Presentation: Tea in a Jar – Citron, Puripan Herbal: Citron Tea, Jayone Foods Mar-Tea-Ni: Tipu's Tiger Chai, Tipu's Tiger Chai Tea: Iced Capateano, dr. teas

RTD Best Packaging: White Jasmine Sparkling Tea, Golden Star Tea Co. Black Flavored: Cha Dao Black Tea & Coffee -Yin Yang, The Cha Dao Tea Company Black Sweetened (tie): Tea Mango, Ito En; Tipu's Tiger Chai Concentrate, Tipu's Tiger Chai Black Unflavored: Anteadote, Adagio Teas Green Flavored: Teas' Tea Green Jasmine, Ito En Green Sweetened: Vida Tea Desert Pear, Healthy Innovations Green Unflavored: Oi Ocha, Ito En Herbal Any: Cha Dao Chrysanthemum, The Cha Dao Tea Company Oolong Unflavored: Teas' Tea Golden Oolong, Ito En White Flavored: White Jasmine Sparkling Tea, Golden Star Tea Co.

The World Tea Expo^®will return to the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, May 2-4, 2009. For

Press Contact: Jacquelyn Clair Marketing Design Group Phone: 619.298.1445 x106 Click here to Email:

Las Vegas, NV—More than 200 teas entered into the World Tea Championship^®have been judged, ranked and assigned their World Tea Rating™. The top five entries spanning all hot tea categories will now go head-to-head at the World Tea Expo^®, May 30 – June 1, 2008. Here, professional tea testers will reevaluate all finalists in order to determine the “Best Tea” in each category.

Developed to help discriminating buyers and tea connoisseurs, the World Tea Rating™ system is expected to revolutionize the tea industry as the Parker Rating System did for wine. The World Tea Rating™ is based on evaluation of the brewed color, brewed aroma, brewed flavor, brewed mouth feel and brewed harmony of each tea. Participating companies will be able to use the rating on their packaging, websites or catalogues to promote the quality of their teas, helping to increase customer understanding, awareness and interaction with premium and specialty tea. All finalists and their World Tea Ratings™ will be published in the World Tea Buyers Guide™, available to participants of the World Tea Expo®.

In the Hot Tea Class, there are 25 different categories including three Super Categories, reflecting the most recognized and popular tea types, blends and herbals. The World Tea Championship™ finalists can be found at www.worldteaexpo.com

The Iced Tea class is organized by the market applications and sales channels: ready-to-drink, foodservice and freestyle. The Iced Tea Class will be judged and rated live during the show on Saturday, May 31.

All World Tea Championship™ participating teas will be commercially available at the World Tea Expo^®, held May 30th to June 1st at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas, NV. For more information on the World Tea Expo^®, including a full listing of events and seminars, new features for 2008, a floor plan and an interactive exhibitor directory, visit www.worldteaexpo.com.

Press Contact: Jacquelyn Clair Marketing Design Group Phone: 619.298.1445 x106 Click here to Email:

CONTACT: Jacquelyn Clair Marketing Design Group Phone: 619.298.1445 x106 Click here to Email:

Loren Israelsen, Executive Director of the United Natural Products Alliance (UNPA), is at the forefront of commercial and regulatory issues facing the global dietary supplement and natural foods industry. He is also one of the renowned speakers for the Executive and Technical Series debuting at the World Tea Expo^® May 30 – June 1, 2008 where he will be addressing many critical labeling and food safety issues in his ground-breaking session, “Is my product a tea, a food, a dietary supplement or what? Why it matters and why you need to know.”

Why did the World Tea Expo^®select you to present this topic? I have been working with natural products, including dietary supplements, teas and functional food ingredients, for 30 years. I’ve served on the boards of many organizations in the natural products industry, working with government, media and academia. I’m a lawyer by training and was one of the first to work as in-house counsel for a company in this space back in 1980.

What is your current involvement within the Natural Products Industry? We have spent a lot of time on the safety of tea ingredients and related claims. At the World Tea Expo^®, I’ll present recent survey findings dealing with actual tea products—both the accurate claims and the mistakes in how the products are promoted and labeled. I’ll point out the opportunities and risks for tea companies as they establish their competitive positioning. My goal is to help the audience understand and think through where they are today and what the future looks like.

How should industry professionals adapt to align themselves with new FDA regulations? Pay attention. Understand the forces at work. You need to communicate quality (and thereby safety) and use it as a strategic position.

In your session, what are the new regulations that the industry should be aware of? As of April 2008, there is new legislation proposed by Congressman John Dingell who wants to dramatically change how foods are regulated, especially imported goods— which would include almost all tea products. This could potentially be very expensive and inconvenient for every tea company on the planet.

Tell us what participants can expect to learn in your session? Companies, from R&D to manufacturing will get the knowledge they need to prepare for the issues that are impacting our industry. In particular, going organic, adhering to food safety legislation, doing business in a global economy and gaining a competitive advantage.

What are the most common mistakes? Not knowing where your product comes from, unreliable lab tests and CEOs who do not have time to see the big picture. When you run a company, you’re driving fast. This seminar is a great chance to pull off the road and get a tune up. It will help you make informed decisions very quickly.

Why is this knowledge so critical for industry professionals? Under the likely scenario for the future, the government is going to get a lot tougher on food manufacturing processes, labeling etc. Mistakes are costly—in lost revenues, market share and reputation.

What else will attendees learn from your session? The food industry is asking companies to regulate food more, because that’s what consumers want. The bill that was proposed last week is a signal for big changes. Additionally, attendees will have a snapshot of the natural foods industry with a focus on safety, quality and establishing competitive advantages in a global economy.

The Executive and Technical Series compliments the more than 40 sessions comprising the World Tea Expo^®’s Core Conference Program. For more information on the World Tea Expo^®, including a full listing of events and seminars, new features for 2008, a floor plan and an interactive exhibitor directory, visit www.worldteaexpo.com .

For more information on the United Natural Products Alliance (UNPA) visit www.unpa.com .

CONTACT: Jacquelyn Clair Marketing Design Group Phone: 619.298.1445 x106 Click here to Email:

Las Vegas, NV——Leading suppliers to the tea industry will be launching hundreds of innovative new products at the World Tea Expo^®, May 30 -June 1, 2008. Attendees can expect to see fresh and exciting beverage and non-beverage tea products from around the world—from unique new tea flavors and specialty products, style-setting glassware and ceramics, to must-have tea gifts and accessories. The new products will be conveniently showcased at the 2nd annual New Product Pavilion where buyers can get a first look at everything innovative, refreshing and new. With phenomenal category growth and more than 3,095 non-food products with tea as an ingredient launching in 2007 (reported by the Mintel Global New Products Database), 2008 promises to be the best year yet.

According to Kim Jage, vice president of marketing, “if you are in the industry, there is no better buying strategy than World Tea Expo^®—where you can see, taste, smell and learn about all the specialty, premium tea and tea-related products under one roof. The industry has seen extraordinary growth in recent years, so it’s no wonder we have been inundated with new product entries from all tea categories.”

Notable product launches in the Ready-to-Drink (RTD) category—one of the fastest growing categories in the market—include Healthy Innovations’ VidaTea, the first sparkling green tea sweetened with organic agave nectar. VidaTea is all natural and enhanced with a super antioxidant formula of vitamins that may boost the immune system, neutralize free radicals and hydrate the skin from the inside out. Additionally, Golden Star will introduce its much-anticipated White Jasmine Sparkling Tea. This nonalcoholic sparkling tea has a lingering cycle of complex flavors that results from a unique fermentation process developed by the Golden Star Tea Company. The delicate flavors pair well with all kinds of food, and will certainly make a lasting impression.

Sure to excite the food service and grocery markets, red espresso™ will debut the world’s first tea espresso—a rich-tasting espresso shot coated with saffron crema. red espresso™ is the naturally caffeine-free, antioxidant-rich basis for a range of delicious coffee-style drinks. Maruei Inc. will also create buzz for this category with Matcha Late, a blend of stone milled premium green tea leaves with sugar and dry milk powder. It can be served hot or cold and can be used in cooking to flavor foods such as ice cream, cakes and pudding. Furthermore, Sencha Naturals will succeed its popular Green Tea Mints, with its new Sencha Green Tea Bars. These masterful blends combine fair trade teas, fruit extracts and botanicals to produce truly unique flavors that include Original, Delicate Pear^®and Lively Lemongrass™.

Red & Green Company and Tracey Stern Salontea will introduce new tea lines from their already distinguished tea portfolios. Red & Green Company’s Organic Line is a spring harvest organic tea freshly picked at early season, with the mountain dew evenly absorbed by the tea leaves. As with all Red & Green Company teas, Organic Line teas are brought to the full-rich aroma and have fresh characteristics, full body aftertaste and beautiful presentation. The Slimming Beauty, by Tracy Stern Salontea, is the perfect blend of loose green tea leaves, cassis yerba mate, orange tree flowers, black tea, passion fruit flower and guarana. It is a grand introduction to the world of health and beauty. Plus, Jayonne Foods, Inc. has added new flavors to its All Natural Fruit Teas. The new Citron (Yuzo) and Ginger flavors can be used as a tea, spread or marinade.

Tea-related gifts and accessories will also top the must-see list, with Berkeley Square London’s White Tea Eau de Toilette and Shea Butter Soap-in-a-Tin. The white tea 1920 fragrance is an elegant fusion of fresh tea top notes with lemon zest on a heart of gardenia, mujuet, rose, lavender and clarysage. The shea butter soap is triple milled to create a smooth, deeply moisturizing soap, enriched with white tea. And nothing says thank you like a Royal Thank You Teacup Card by Kimberly Shaw Graphics. These affordable teacup cards are elegantly illustrated and contain their own teabags.

For more information on the World Tea Expo^®, including a list of new products, product images, event and seminar listings, new features for 2008, a floor plan and an interactive exhibitor directory, visit www.worldteaexpo.com.

CONTACT: Jacquelyn Clair Marketing Design Group Phone: 619.298.1445 x106 Click here to Email:

World Tea Expo^®launches innovative program to help participants leverage rapidly growing industry.

Las Vegas, NV—Tea sales in the US are expected to exceed a phenomenal $10 billion in 2010 for both beverage and non-beverage categories—and in 2007 alone, SPINS reports more than 20% growth in sales of Ready-to-Drink (RTD) teas and Mintel Global New Products Database notes 3,095 non-food global new product launches with tea as an ingredient. The statistics confirm that tea is being consumed by more people and in more ways than ever before. As a result, World Tea Expo^®has designed an Executive & Technical Series™ (ETS) in order to help participants leverage the demand by staying up-to-date on changing consumer tastes and industry trends. The cutting-edge program provides crucial information and statistics to top executives, research and development scientists, product formulators and ingredient managers who use tea in a wide range of both beverage and non-beverage applications.

The Series, debuting May 30^th-31^st, will begin with an intense Super Data Session with presentations from leading data and consumer trend specialists Mintel, International Tea Committee, SPINS and Canadean. The must-attend session for Executives in the industry will give participants insight on new applications and emerging trends— including food and non-food product applications and functional benefits, tea and RTD tea growth, consumer buying trends, consumption in the context of other beverages and world production statistics. Never before has this group of companies collaborated to provide a data-rich, information-packed presentation on the opportunities available in the

Following the data session will be a series of technical sessions covering topics such as the analytical truth behind advertised polyphenol counts, regulatory issues, flavoring trends and product formulation. Well-known and respected industry leaders including Mark Blumenthal of American Botanical Council, Loren Israelsen of United Natural Products Alliance and Rob McCaleb of the Herb Research Foundation will lead the sessions.

The intellectual property development session will conclude the series with vital information on new product creation—how to take a concept through strategic, value-adding maturation steps in order to yield a finished product that reproducibly works, cannot be copied by others (without risk of penalty), and can emerge as a category disruptor with economic sustainability.

“The need for high-level content on how to create, launch, label, protect and market new beverage and non-beverage tea products has never existed until recently,” commented George Jage, Founder and President of the World Tea Expo^®. “As the largest trade event in the world dedicated to tea, we are excited to work with some of the top thought leaders and pioneers from the natural products industry to create this unique and powerful program for tea.”

The World Tea Expo^®will be held May 30^thto June 1^stat the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas, NV. For more information on the World Tea Expo^®, including a full listing of events and seminars, ETS registration, new features for 2008, a floor plan and an interactive exhibitor directory, visit www.worldteaexpo.com.

The World Tea Expo^®is a robust marketplace that brings together hundreds of new products, the latest industry innovations and relevant, cutting-edge educational sessions, providing tea professionals with a one-stop opportunity to help drive their business, fuel industry growth and encourage further exploration of the art and science of tea. As the first and fastest growing North American trade show dedicated solely to the tea industry—the World Tea Expo^®attracts more than 4,500 leading tea professionals, merchandisers, R&D executives, scientists and entrepreneurs annually. The World Tea Exp^®™ is produced by SFG Group LLC, headquartered in Las Vegas, NV. For more information, visit www.worldteaexpo.com.

CONTACT: Jacquelyn Clair Marketing Design Group Phone: 619.298.1445 x106 Click here to Email:

Las Vegas, NV—The highest quality and best tasting hot and iced teas from around the world will be judged and rated by professional tea tasters at the inaugural World Tea Championship™, a premier feature of the World Tea Expo™, May 30^thto June 1^st, 2008. All teas submitted will receive a World Tea Rating™—providing the tea industry with a rating system for teas similar to that which has brought increased awareness and consumer understanding to the wine industry.

Much like wine, tea characteristics are influenced yearly by weather, soil conditions, manufacturing processes, craftsmanship and skill of tea masters and blenders alike. The World Tea Championship™ and the World Tea Buyers Guide™ will deliver the first comprehensive resource for rating characteristics for those buying tea.

“[The Buyers Guide] will be ridiculously valuable to the attendees” commented Charles Cain, Director of US Operations for TeaGschwendner, the largest tea retailer in the world. The World Tea Buyers Guide™ will list the ratings of all entries of the World Tea Championships™ separated into iced and hot tea classes and will be distributed at the Expo to all attendees.

In the Hot Tea Class, a total of 24 different categories will be judged along with three Super Categories. Although there are hundreds of varieties of tea, the main categories reflect the most well-known and popular tea types, blends and herbals; including Jasmine Green Tea, Earl Grey, Silver Needle White Tea and Rooibos. The 24 hot tea categories must fall within a set MSRP and will be commercially available at the World Tea Expo™. The Super Categories are focused strictly on three types of tea (black, oolong, and green), have no pricing restriction and must be of a single origin. Hot Tea Class entries will be pre-qualified and pre-judged blind prior to the opening of the 2008 World Tea Expo™ by professional tea tasters from some of the most respected tea companies in the industry. Through the pre-judging process, all entries will receive a World Tea Rating™. The five highest rated teas will be further evaluated during the World Tea Expo™ to determine the best teas of 2008 in each category.

The Iced Tea Class is organized by market applications and sales channels. The three categories are ready-to-drink, foodservice and freestyle—focused on the grocer, restaurant and independent tea shop, respectively.

The World Tea Expo™ will be held May 30^thto June 1^stat the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas, NV. For more information on the World Tea Expo™, including a full listing of events and seminars, new features for 2008, a floor plan and an interactive exhibitor directory, visit www.worldteaexpo.com.

The World Tea Expo is a robust marketplace that brings together hundreds of new products, the latest industry innovations and relevant, cutting-edge educational sessions, providing tea professionals with a one-stop opportunity to help drive their business, fuel industry growth and encourage further exploration of the art and science of tea. As the first and fastest growing North American trade show dedicated solely to the tea industry—the World Tea Expo attracts more than 4,500 leading tea professionals, merchandisers, R&D executives, scientists and entrepreneurs annually. The World Tea Expo is produced by SFG Group LLC, headquartered in Las Vegas, NV. For more information, visit www.worldteaexpo.com.

CONTACT: Jacquelyn Clair Marketing Design Group Phone: 619.298.1445 x106 Click here to Email:

For Immediate Release

World Tea Expo announces most innovative Education Program to date.

Las Vegas, NV—The World Tea Expo^®, which offers the largest Educational Program on tea, has announced the addition of four new programs to meet the needs of the rapidly growing tea industry. A New Business Boot Camp, the Executive and Technical Series, Skill-Building Workshops and Super Workshops will compliment more than 40 sessions comprising the Expo’s Core Conference Program. The World Tea Expo will be held May 30 – June 1, 2008 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas, NV. Registration opens online at www.worldteaexpo.com January 8^th.

“World Tea Expo’s attendance has grown an average of nearly 40 percent per year since our inception in 2003 and the educational needs of the attendees has changed significantly,” stated Kim Jage, VP of Sales & Marketing for the World Tea Expo. “Whether the attendee is a new tea room owner or a research scientist from a Fortune 500 company, the Expo is committed to providing the most relevant, exciting and useful educational tools to ensure their professional success.”

Core Conference Program

Central to the Expo’s Educational Program is the Core Conference comprised of 36 sessions and 6 Focused Tastings from important growing regions in the world, including for the first-time ever Hawaii. In addition, two brand new components added in 2008 include the Skill-Building Workshops and Super Workshops.

The three individual Skill-Building Workshops offered are Blending, Cupping and

Brewing/Serving Tea. Each is a 3-hour, intensive, hands-on training led by top industry professionals. Stacie Woods, Director of Education noted, “The limited class size and team-teaching environment created will help aspiring tea professionals hone their mastery of these core skills.”

The Super Workshops will be offered in the afternoons, creating a relaxed environment to enjoy the two sessions: Tea & Chocolate Pairing led by Pearl Dexter, Publisher of TEA A Magazine^®; and The Way of Tea, with the Grand Master of the Ura Senke Foundation from Japan teaching attendees the art and practice of the Japanese Tea Ceremony.

Executive & Technical Series

Designed specifically for the top executives, research scientists, product formulators and ingredient managers of major consumer-products companies, the Executive & Technical Series (ETS) will lead-off with a data-packed never-seen-before Super Data Session featuring stats, forecasts and trend-analyses from Mintel^®, SPINS^®, UK-based Canadean, and the International Tea Committee.

“Tea is being used as an ingredient in an unprecedented number of new consumer products outside the realm of hot and cold beverages,” said Autumn White, senior market analyst for Sage Group, publisher of the Specialty Tea is “Hot” Report^®and soon to be released Tea Ingredients Annual. “In addition to record levels of tea-based beverage products being introduced to the marketplace, tea is being incorporated into

personal care products, functional foods and even pet products to leverage the healthy, nutritive properties of Camellia sinensis (tea),” notes White.

Additionally involved in the two-day ETS will be natural products-industry veterans and experts Loren Israelsen, Executive Director of the United Natural Products Association; Rob McCaleb, President of the Herb Research Foundation; and Mark Blumenthal, Founder of the American Botanical Council. “We are excited to offer this level of content to meet the needs of the major companies coming to the Expo each year,” commented Jage.

For more information on the World Tea Expo, including a full listing of events and seminars, new features for 2008, a floor plan and an interactive exhibitor directory, visit www.worldteaexpo.com.

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NEWS RELEASE

November 1, 2007

CONTACT: Jacquelyn Clair Marketing Design Group Phone: 619.298.1445 x106 Click here to Email:

For Immediate Release

North America’s largest and most important tea event is bigger and better in 2008.

World Tea Expo moves to new venue in Las Vegas, May 30 – June 1, 2008.

Las Vegas, NV—The tea industry is stronger than ever and long-term growth is projected as a virtual sure thing. Take a quick look at the dramatic rise in tea’s popularity in the U.S. over the past two decades and it’s abundantly clear, from under $1 billion dollars prior to 1990, sales are expected to reach nearly $7 billion by the end of 2007. According to market analysts with the leading market research report, The Specialty Tea is “Hot” Report^®, growth of total retail sales of tea in the U.S. will accelerate and exceed $10 billion by the end of 2010. Add in thousands of non-beverage, tea-based products enhanced with tea extracts, essences and flavors such as cosmetics, dietary supplements and functional foods, and the total dollar volumes are much higher.

It’s no wonder, then, that the largest and most important tea event in North America is growing, too. When the 2008 World Tea Expo opens in Las Vegas, Nevada, May 30 -June 1, 350 exhibitors will host an anticipated 33 percent more attendees than previous shows. With a larger exhibit floor at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center, buyers can expect to see a wider selection of tea and

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tea-related products in a broad range of categories, including: tea wholesalers and packers; bulk, bagged and ready-to-drink teas; tea bagging equipment and packaging suppliers; gourmet foods, giftware, tea jewelry, chocolate and other confectionary items.

As the category continues to explode, so does World Tea Expo. In 2008, the event will introduce a variety of new features designed to give participants an enhanced show experience that reflects their varying needs and interests.

Attendees will be able to take advantage of a core educational conference that is leaner and more robust, with targeted sessions to appeal to every kind of tea professional, from tearoom owners to scientists and R&D specialists. In addition, a “New Business Boot Camp” will be held two days prior to the show, for new business owners and those entering the tea market for the first time. The New Business Boot Camp will be an intensive 16-hours of education by expert instructors to catapult new and young tea rooms to high levels of success almost immediately.

A first-rate Cupping Pavilion will be constructed on the show floor to allow buyers the professional resources to cup and compare samples from exhibitors on the spot and place orders at the show. And finding exceptional teas will be aided by the presentation of the first-ever World Tea Championship, a hot-tea competition featuring submissions by exhibitors from around the world and judged by a panel of professional tea cuppers and experts.

Show producers anticipate a very successful event in 2008. “We know why buyers come to this marketplace,” said George Jage, president and co-founder of the World Tea Expo. “They want to see and buy new products. They want to stay competitive. They need to make connections and find resources. With expanded show offerings and the new features we’ve added, we’re providing them with exactly what they want.”

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More information about the World Tea Expo, including a full listing of events,

seminars and new features, as well as a floor plan and interactive directory of

exhibitors, is available online at www.worldteaexpo.com.

# # #

The World Tea Expo delivers a robust marketplace that facilitates commerce, showcases hundreds of new products and the latest innovations, and provides relevant, cutting edge education that drives business, fuels growth, builds community and fosters the art and science of tea for tea professionals, manufacturers, suppliers, merchandisers, research & developers, scientists and entrepreneurs. World Tea Expo is committed to providing solutions, catalyzing sales, and delivering leadership to the global tea industry. The annual event is produced by SFG Group LLC, a Nevada-based limited liability company incorporated to produce events and conferences. For more information, contact George Jage at george@worldteaexpo.com.

Las Vegas, July 11, 2007—The World Tea Expo--the world’s largest trade show dedicated to tea and tea-related products—wrapped up its most successful year ever this June at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta. The Expo hosted 280 exhibiting companies from 15 different countries in an exhibit space totaling 31,350 net square feet. Over three days, the World Tea Expo welcomed a total of 4456 visitors through its doors. A full 75% of the attendees were buyers authorized to make purchasing decisions for their companies, and 49.6% came with the specific goal of placing orders at the Expo, while nearly 80% plan on making future purchases based on information gathered at the show.

This year’s event reflects a number of significant changes. The World Tea Expo management changed the show date from March to June, the venue from Las Vegas to Atlanta, and the days of the show to Saturday through Monday. All were very pleased with the results. The new location allowed the show to draw in a large number of first-time attendees, with 28.7% of buyers coming from the South Atlantic region. The day pattern helped spread the traffic over the three days with many corporate buyers and foodservice professionals coming on Monday, the final day.

Whereas most events that leave Las Vegas show a drop in attendance, the World Tea Expo was happy to see a modest 8% growth. Returning to Las Vegas in 2008, May 30 - June 1 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center, the Expo expects to return to double-digit attendance growth.

As always, one of the highlights of the show was the Iced Tea Shake-Off competition, the event that sets the standard for iced tea in three categories: Commercially Brewed (Foodservice), Ready-to-Drink (RTD), and Freestyle. The competition was especially pertinent as June is National Iced Tea Month. This year’s Shake-Off enjoyed a record number of entries, exceeding 60 different iced concoctions. All entries were judged blind by a panel of tea industry movers and shakers.

Las Vegas, June 1, 2007 – In just one week, the World Tea Expo--the world’s largest trade show dedicated to tea and tea-related products--will open its doors. It’s not too late to register and join over 300 exhibitors and 5,000+ buyers as they gather in Atlanta at the Georgia World Congress Center, June 9-11, for three days packed with new trends, educational workshops, and invaluable networking opportunities. The World Tea Expo is a must-attend event for everyone serious about profiting from the booming tea industry.

A complete range of tea and tea-related products from all over the world can be found at the event, including tea wholesalers and packers; bulk, bagged, and ready-to-drink tea; tea bagging equipment and packaging suppliers; as well as gourmet foods, giftware, tea jewelry, chocolate, and other confectionary items.

For the first time ever, the World Tea Expo will feature a New Products Showcase, where innovation and convenience will sit alongside tradition and quality. Be among the first to glimpse over 200 new tea products hitting the market this year, including chocolates, brownies, energy bars, and bath and body products all made with tea; invigorating new Ready to Drink iced teas, cutting edge iced tea pitchers, teas from all over the world, and lots more.

The nation’s premier tea experts will head up the most expansive program the World Tea Expo has ever offered, with several defined tracks so attendees can get the most out of the conference and find exactly what suits their interests. Tracks include: Mover and Shaker, Small Business Merchandising, Tea & Health, Business Management, Food Service Solutions, Sales & Marketing, Tea Knowledge, Focused Tastings, and Tea & Food Pairings.

Georgia’s best chefs will be cooking with tea at the World Tea Expo. On the demonstration schedule are Hugh Acheson of Five & Ten restaurant (Food & Wine Best New Chef 2002), Virginia Willis, author of Bon Appétit, Y'all: Three Generations of Southern Cooking, and Joël Antunes of Restaurant Joël (James Beard Award winner: Best Chef, Southeast, 2004). Among the tea-infused temptations they’ll be cooking up are: Wild Salmon poached in tea bouillon with Tea-Pickled Cucumbers; Japanese Tea Marinated Chicken with Matcha Rice Pilaf, Tea Crème Caramel with Sweet Tea Soaked Plums, and Green Tea Sorbet with Green Peppercorn Caramel Sauce.

Phil Lempert, Today Show food correspondent and Supermarket Guru® is one of the nation’s leading trend watchers and consumer experts. In his address, 2007 Tea Trends: The World, Your Customers & Your Business, he will deliver empowering concepts and ideas based on a consumer panel survey, exploring in-depth just how, why and when people consume tea.

To register, to sign up to receive the World Tea News, or to find more information on the World Tea Expo--including the floor plan, an interactive directory of exhibitors, and a full listing of events and seminars--visit the website, www.worldteaexpo.com.

“Healthy, delicious, environmentally conscious and innovative products are leading the way.”

The World Tea Expo is brimming with excitement to share the news that retailers, café and tea salon owners, restaurateurs, and F&B managers have all been waiting for: Exhibitors have just unveiled the new products they will introduce at the 2007 World Tea Expo, taking place in Atlanta, June 9, 10, & 11 at the Georgia World Congress Center.

For the first time ever, the World Tea Expo will feature a New Products Showcase, where innovation and convenience will sit alongside tradition and quality. Kimberly Frost Jage, VP of Sales & Marketing for the World Tea Expo notes that “the primary growth in consumer demand for tea is higher quality products like specialty teas and all-natural Ready-to-Drink teas [RTDs]. Healthy, delicious, environmentally conscious and innovative products are leading the way, fulfilling the need, and can all be found at this Expo.”

Here’s a glimpse of what 5,000 expected buyers are coming to see at the 300+ exhibitor booths.

Specialty Teas Red & Green Company, known for selling some of the very finest teas in the world, introduces its Reserved Ti Kwan Yin, oolong aged 16 years and smoked every two years to achieve a complex fruity taste and smoky palate.

From Rishi Tea comes a new line of direct trade premium Japanese green teas. The line features a variety of classic sencha, matcha infused teas and gourmet blends like ume shiso and yuzu citrus. Teacraft Ltd. presents Antlers D’Amour, a very rare and unusual white tea from Africa handmade using only tender stems. Anyone who breathes in the floral aroma will fall in love with white tea.

Ready-to-Drink teas are one of the fastest growing categories in the tea market. From DongSuh comes all-natural green tea in a can, brewed with the finest green tea leaves grown in BoSung, Korea.

ITO EN remains on the cutting edge of RTD Teas, this time with the introduction of Café Sepia in two varieties: Matcha Latte and Tea

Quality tea deserves quality honey. Bee-Pure Honey comes direct from the beekeeper and is available in Vanilla—mixed with real vanilla bean--or Plain.

Torn Ranch introduces new Tea Infused Chocolate Indulges in both milk and dark chocolate. These dreamy treats combine rich chocolate with teas from around the world. Berkshire Bark is an irresistible new chocolate bar in four varieties that combine a generous bounty of whole roasted nuts, fresh citrus zest, and dried fruits bound together by top quality Belgian chocolate.

New from Androgiennei is Evening Earl Grey Tea Soap, which nourishes the skin with the invigorating combination of black tea and bergamot oil; and Evening Oolong Orange Tea Soap, treating the body to an infusion of fragrant oolong tea and orange essence.

An innovation from tea-maven-about-town Tracy Stern is Bathtea--sachets of homeotherapeutic blends of medicinal herbal teas and organic botanicals.

CHI TEA Organic Green Tea Extract is a super antioxidant. A 30-drop dose of the concentrated extract is equivalent to 12-15 cups of regular green tea. Ener-Chi Tea is a delicious Natural Energy Elixir offering a unique blend of herbs and vitamins to provide a sustained energy boost and increase the metabolism.

Salt of the Earth, made by Blessed Botanicals, is a versatile and delicious all-purpose salt seasoning blend accented with rooibos. It’s a blend of French grey sea salt and organic herbs including nettles, marjoram, basil, tarragon, onion, garlic, and other secret ingredients.

Tzu Thé brings something fresh to the world of energy bars with its new line of T-Bar™ Green Tea Nutrition Bars. The all-natural and organic cold-processed whole grain bars each contain 1.5 grams or 3 grams green tea leaves. They are also high in anti-oxidants, fiber and essential vitamins and minerals.

The Tea House Times presents CelebriTEA mugs for ChariTEA. Twelve celebrities, including Nicole Kidman, Samuel L. Jackson, and George Clooney, designed mugs with messages of hope for the future. Mug sales raise money for charities tackling key global issues.

Bodum’s new temperature-safe borosilicate glass Bistro Iced Tea Maker can be used with both hot and cold brewing methods. Simply add loose leaf tea, fill halfway with hot water and steep, and then remove the infuser, replace the lid, fill with ice and serve. Tzu Thé introduces the innovative T-Buddy, a portable tea bottle with built-

in infuser for full-leaf teas or herbal infusions; hot or cold. It's ideal for home, office or outdoor activities.

The Teapresso LT machine series from KLüb Manufacturing Corp. brews loose leaf tea just like an espresso machine, bringing the intensity and immediacy of espresso to tea drinkers. Great for coffee and tea houses, the Teapresso is capable of making both espresso and tea at once, using independent systems. From Riensch & Held comes the easy brew finum Filter Stick, a stylish tea filter holder perfectly sized for one cup of tea. It’s simple to handle, reusable, and durable.

The personal Tea HPLC Analysis Kit from ChromaDex will enable tea buyers and shop owners to determine the identify and quality of teas, tisanes, and herbal extracts.

Dee Sharp Jewelry Designs offers beautifully handcrafted tea jewelry, including a new sterling silver Teapot Thimble. Makes a whimsical gift for either the thimble or teapot collector. Casablanca Market brings exquisite teacups and trays handmade by expert artisans in Morocco. Use the set to serve traditional Moroccan tea, or use for

This is just a glimpse of all the new products that buyers will discover first-hand at the show. To see all the new items to be showcased at the World Tea Expo, go to:

Cooking with Tea demonstrations by some of the South’s hottest chefs, including Joel Antunes and Hugh Acheson.

Authentic Japanese and Korean Tea Ceremonies Keynote address by Supermarket Guru and Today Show Food Editor Phil

Las Vegas, February 6, 2007— Named in 2006 as one of the Fastest 50 growing trade shows in North America, the World Tea Expo--taking place June 9, 10, & 11, 2007 at the Georgia World Congress Center--has sold out its exhibit space four months in advance of the event,. The Expo increased its net exhibit space by 30 % from the year prior and has begun a waiting list of exhibiting companies eager to capitalize on this powerful trade event and this rapidly growing industry.

The experts at Entrepreneur Magazine knew what they were talking about when they named tea in their list of Hottest Trends and Best Business Ideas for 2006, calling teas “exotic, enticing and steeping in opportunity” and “one of the strongest beverage markets.” More and more entrepreneurs, retail buyers, and foodservice operators are recognizing the trend, are witnessing the growth, and know they can’t afford to miss out. As Kim Jage, VP Sales & Marketing for the World Tea Expo puts it, “the number of new products, new companies, and new players coming into the tea market is amazing. The fast growth and fast change of the industry makes the Expo a must for anyone serious about profiting from tea and tea-related products.”

The World Tea Expo is the tea industry’s premier marketplace and is the largest tea trade event in the world. The exhibiting companies—nearly 300 in total—represent virtually all aspects of the industry. The Expo is enjoying major participation from growers and exporters from India, Sri Lanka, China, Taiwan, Japan, Kenya, Korea, and Nepal as well as hundreds of tea wholesalers, teaware manufacturers, and giftware and gourmet product distributors. It is the one annual event where everything to profit from tea can be found under one roof.

Last year’s World Tea Expo buyer attendance grew dramatically with a 60% increase over the 2005 event. This year’s Early Bird registration is up 38% and George Jage, President of the World Tea Expo notes, “we expect the Expo to continue to grow at a breakneck pace as tea continues to be embraced as a healthy and enjoyable part of the American diet and U.S. sales continue to soar.”

The World Tea Expo offers an extensive Educational Conference and a packed schedule of exciting special events. Speakers from Mintel, Progressive Grocer, and Beverage Spectrum Magazine spotlight over 50 seminars and workshops. Other highlights include Cooking with Tea Demonstrations by leading chefs in Atlanta; Japanese and Korean tea ceremonies; and a keynote presentation by The Supermarket Guru® and NBC’s Today Show Food Editor Phil Lempert.

Media in attendance will be avidly interested in the flourishing tea trends and the new and unique products on the market. Exhibitors at the 2006 World Tea Expo gained fantastic media exposure for their products, featured in TIME Magazine, LIFE Magazine, Fox TV, the Chicago Sun Times, Gourmet Retailer, Gourmet News, and many more outlets.

Register online and save 20% before March 30. To register, to sign up to receive the World Tea News, or to find more information on the World Tea Expo--including the floor plan, an interactive directory of exhibitors, and a full listing of events and seminars--visit the website, www.worldteaexpo.com.

Las Vegas, NV, February 5, 2007—The World Tea Expo--taking place in Atlanta, June 9, 10, and 11 at the Georgia World Congress Center --has experienced record-breaking registration numbers for attendees and exhibitors alike. Not only are pre-registration rates up 38% over last year, but the exhibit hall is nearly sold out. The Tea Industry’s Premier Marketplace is bigger than ever at 30,000 net square feet of exhibit space, nearly 300 exhibitors, and over 5,000 buyers expected.

“It is the defining event shaping the next 12 months of the industry” says Kim Jage, World Tea Expo VP of Sales & Marketing.

The conference will get off to an entertaining and thought-provoking start with keynote speaker Phil Lempert, best known as the Supermarket Guru® and food trends editor and correspondent for NBC’s Today Show. He is a leading expert on the retail environment and new marketing trends, and has an uncanny ability to identify and explain trends to both consumers and industry professionals. Lempert will be conducting a major consumer panel survey, the results of which he will discuss in his presentation on opening night.

In his address, 2007 Tea Trends: The World, Your Customers and Your Business, Lempert will empower the audience with in-depth insight and consumer panel results on just how, why, and when people consume tea. He will focus on major consumer buying trends and how members of the tea business can make the most of them. Attendees will learn more about the phenomena of the “aging baby boomer” and “America the Green,” the way handheld devices and RFID technologies are altering the buying environment; changing health and wellness issues; why advertising to the masses is over, and how to evolve with the times.

The World Tea Expo collaborates with major players in the worldwide tea industry to make this a definitive tea event. George Jage, World Tea Expo President & Co-Founder notes, “our strong relationship with these industry influencers and major publications continues to provide greater leverage to the commercial market the Expo creates.”

Mintel (Platinum Sponsor) is one of the world’s leading consumer intelligence and research companies. Lynn Dornblaser, Mintel’s well-known research presenter, will co-present “Super Trends,” a fast-moving data-packed workshop with Brian Keating, Founder of Sage Group Int’l LLC and publisher of The Specialty Tea is “Hot” Report™.

For over 25 years, American Botanical Council (Gold Sponsor) founder and president Mark Blumenthal has been committed to providing reliable, scientifically sound information about medicinal herbs to healthcare professionals and the public. The ABC has collaborated with the World Tea Expo to provide content for the free World Tea News e-newsletter. Blumenthal will be part of the Hot Topics Super Panel, where industry heavyweights and pioneers weigh in on the hottest topics in the tea industry today.

The Tea Association of the USA continues to support the growth of the Expo as the Marquis Sponsor. In lieu of its annual convention, the Tea Association will host an international networking gathering prior to the opening of the Expo. Additionally, Tea Association President Joe Simrany will participate in the World Tea Expo Educational Conference with a seminar on Demystifying the Health Benefits of Tea.

In the Tea Board of India’s (Gold Sponsor) pavilion spanning 14 booths, attendees can become acquainted with the many products of the world’s leading tea producer. A Focused Tasting workshop will allow participants to taste the vast range of flavor profiles from the well-known regions of Darjeeling, Assam, and Nilgiri. The Sri Lanka Tea Board (Gold Sponsor) will have a pavilion in the expo hall covering 10 booths and will lead a Focused Tasting to explore the varied flavor profiles of Ceylon teas from Kandy to Uva to Dimbula. The Tea Association of Canada proudly continues its participation and promotion with the World Tea Expo this year as well.

The World Tea Expo’s additional Gold Sponsors include Gourmet News, Beverage Spectrum Magazine, Hotel F & B Executive, Fresh Cup Magazine, Tea Experience Digest, and Tea A Magazine.

New this year at the World Tea Expo is a special workshop series from the Ura Senke Foundation--preserving the Japanese cultural tradition of “The Way of Tea” (or Chado) for centuries. The Ura Senke Foundation will share “The Way of Tea,” a special two-part workshop under the direction of tea master Matsumoto Sosei and sponsored by leading matcha tea wholesaler AIYA America Inc. (Gold Sponsor). The workshop will present the philosophy surrounding The Way of Tea, in-depth education on the tea ceremony, and how to identify true matcha. There will also be two performances of the Japanese Tea Ceremony conducted in the Special Events area on the exhibit hall floor open to all attendees.

Registration for the World Tea Expo is open now. Registrants will save 20% before March 30. To register, to sign up to receive the World Tea News, or to find more information on the World Tea Expo--including the floor plan, an interactive directory of exhibitors, and a full listing of events and seminars--visit the website, www.worldteaexpo.com.

Send mail to info [at] theteahousetimes.com with questions or comments about this web site. Copyright © 2003-Present The Tea House Times™, LLC Last modified: 06/03/09

Send mail to info [at] theteahousetimes.com with questions or comments about this web site.
Copyright © 2003-Present The Tea House Times™, LLC Last modified: 06/03/09