1st Annual World Tea Awards is Currently Accepting Nominations

WTA_dinner_pic
Photo Credit: Queen Mary
This first-of-its-kind Awards Dinner aboard the iconic Queen Mary is planned to recognize some of the top names in the industry at the largest gathering of tea professionals in North America, World Tea Expo. “This is a great opportunity for us to expand an awards and recognition program for the entire tea community,” commented George Jage, founder and director of World Tea Expo.  “For the inaugural year, we are primarily focusing on awards in which we can allow people to vote electronically but have plans to expand the awards to increase recognition for the tea rooms and retailers that are on the front lines, educating consumers, and driving the market.” This Oscar-style, black-tie optional event is currently accepting nominations for finalists in the following categories:
  • Best Tea Publication
  • Best Tea Book
  • Best Social Media Reach
  • Best Tea Room Website
  • Best Tea Blog
  • Best Tea Educator
  • Best Tea Retailer Website
  • Best Tea Room Menu
  • Best Tea Spirit
The nomination process is open to all members of the industry until April 25, 2014. Once closed, the finalists in each category will be announced. The community can then vote for their favorites leading up to World Tea Expo at the end of May. The event will be a black-tie optional formal dinner with the program hosted by George Jage, founder and director, of World Tea Media, and Gail Gastelu, publisher of The Tea House Times. In addition to the award categories listed above, the evening will honor Devan Shah the Cha Jing Lifetime Achievement Award.  Past recipients have been John Harney, founder of Harney & Sons, and Joe Simrany, President of the Tea Association of the USA for over 20 years. Delegates to the Expo can add the Awards dinner to the registration online, or contact World Tea Expo to reserve a table for ten. For more information on the World Tea Awards Dinner, visit, http://www.worldteaexpo.com/index.php/schedule-and-events/world-tea-awards-dinner