by WTN Staff

World Tea Expo has again made the trade show industry's list of the fastest growing shows in the United States and Canada.

Sponsored by Tradeshow Week magazine, the business-to-business events industry's trade news publication, the TSW Fastest 50 each year identifies the 50 shows that achieved the most impressive growth over the course of the three previous years, in terms of attendance and net square feet of exhibits. World Tea Expo (which is owned by SFG Group, also the owner of World Tea News) is being recognized for its growth from 2006 through 2008.

Winners are feted at a weekend event – including a conference, awards dinner and brunch – that will take place this year in Houston, Nov. 13-15. During the awards ceremony, the top shows in three categories, trade, consumer and association, will be revealed.

This is World Tea Expo's third time being named one of the Fastest 50. It also made the list in 2008 (for its 2005-2007 growth), and in 2006 (for its 2003-2005 growth). The Expo’s exhibit hall grew 47 percent from 2006 to 2008 as a result of the growth in specialty tea and the high number of emerging companies entering the market, according to George Jage, founder and owner of World Tea Expo.

He added: "“While overall industry growth has certainly played a role, it is also the reason why we started the Expo.  ... We believe the unique and creative approach our team takes to organizing the event, the passion we have for the industry, and our accessibility and responsiveness to all our customers is what facilitated this top honor again for the third time."