‘World Tea Awards’ Celebrate and Recognize the Global Tea Community at
 Penton’s World Tea Expo, June 15 in Las Vegas

Event Applauds Some of the Best from the Tea Industry, Including Individuals and
Companies That Contribute to the Growth, Innovation and Education of Specialty Tea Penton’s World Tea Expo (#WorldTeaExpo or #WTE16) will honor the tea community – and some of the best and the brightest from the industry – during its World Tea Awards (#TeaAwards) program on June 15. The program will take place at the Las Vegas Convention Center immediately after the closing of the exhibits on day one of the conference and exhibition. World Tea Expo, which is the leading tradeshow focused on advancing the business of tea, takes place June 15 – 17, 2016 (with a pre-conference program June 13 – 14) in Las Vegas, Nev. Registration and conference details are available at WorldTeaExpo.com (advance registration rates available through May 20). Samantha Hammer Mitchell, a Penton event director and the World Tea brand leader, says, “We’re thrilled to continue the World Tea Awards program, now in its third year. It’s the perfect platform to recognize the industry as a whole, in addition to honoring tea ‘champions’ in a broad range of key categories.” 
An Inclusive Program and Celebration New this year, the World Tea Awards event will be open to all World Tea Expo attendees as a complimentary program vs. being a separate, off-site ticketed affair. The event will also be referred to as the “Welcome Reception and World Tea Awards,” intended to be an inclusive program and celebration with all World Tea Expo delegates, exhibitors, sponsors, speakers and press. “We want everyone from the tea community and those in allied fields to gather and celebrate while recognizing this year’s award winners,” adds Hammer Mitchell. At the Welcome Reception and World Tea Awards, several honors will be presented, including: Best Retail Tea Shop or Chain; Best Tea Brand; Best Tea Educator; Best Tea Industry Innovation; Best Tea Accessory, Technology; Best Tea Community, Social Initiative; Best Tea Health Advocate; Best Tea Marketing; Best Tea Publication; Best Social Media Reach; Best Tea Industry Website; and Best Tea Blog. Hosts Kevin Gascoyne and Bruce Richardson


Tea notables Kevin Gascoyne and Bruce Richardson will host World Tea Expo’s Welcome Reception and World Tea Awards, along with to-be-announced sponsors. Gascoyne is a British tea taster/buyer who began buying tea in Asia back in the 1980s. He is one of the four owners of Camellia Sinensis with headquarters in Montreal. Well known as a writer and educator, he runs two tea schools and also co-authored the prize-winning book, Tea, History, Terroirs, Varieties.  Richardson, owner of Elmwood Inn Fine Teas and Benjamin Press, is a tea blender, writer and frequent speaker at tea events. He’s also the author of a dozen well-received books on tea. “I’m delighted to be a part of the World Tea Awards again,” says Gascoyne, who co-hosted with Richardson in 2015. “Changing the set-up a little, so that everyone at World Tea Expo can be there, is a great idea. The World Tea Awards is a perfect opportunity to acknowledge our peers and all the hard work and innovations that advance the tea industry and benefit the development of our market place. Aside from that, it is an excellent way to socialize while connecting to the network, developing new business possibilities, and having some fun with the unique community that the tea industry is so lucky to enjoy.”

Richardson notes, “The World Tea Awards at World Tea Expo is a time when the international tea family gathers to honor those who have made significant achievements in the culture of tea. Opening the event to the thousands of delegates at World Tea Expo is ideal, so that we can all experience the exciting energy that continues to infuse our industry.” Join the Tea Community at World Tea Expo World Tea Expo will attract thousands of professionals for a platform of new tea products, education sessions, workshops and business-growing activities. The education curriculum covers a broad range of topics to help businesses across different vertical markets to boost sales and profit through tea. Core Conference Sessions are designed to meet the specific needs of retailers, foodservice businesses, distributors, product developers and others with different levels of experience. Numerous Focused Tea Tastings offer 90-minute organoleptic explorations of tea styles, tea regions and tea pairings. And the Skill Building Workshops hone important industry skills. In addition to the education sessions, World Tea Expo’s bustling show floor features hundreds of the latest tea products and services, many of which cannot be found at any other trade show. Other World Tea Expo highlights include: The North American Tea Championship (NATC) Winners Tasting Circle; World Origin Tasting Tour; Tea Business Boot Camp; and World Tea Academy LIVE! World Tea Expo attendees include top companies and professionals from more than 50 countries, representing: tea and coffee shops, grocery chains, private label brands, gourmet retailers, convenience stores, distributors, online businesses, restaurants and chefs, foodservice, hotels, distributors, manufacturers and beverage developers, among others interested in building their business through tea. To register for World Tea Expo, visit WorldTeaExpo.com (advance registration rates available through May 20). And be sure to follow World Tea Expo on Twitter: @worldteamedia (#WorldTeaExpo or #WTE16). The World Tea Awards event, June 15, is complimentary and open to all attendees, exhibitors and press registered for World Tea Expo 2016.