The real ‘tea party’ brings its platform to Philly, Sept. 9 – 10, for World Tea East, featuring Best New Products, Tea Tastings and Educational Opportunities, brought to us by the producers of the renowned World Tea Expo. This new event features 100 innovative manufacturers and suppliers, wonderful new tea products, expert-led educational sessions, focused tea tastings, pairing workshops and other special events for tea professionals, food and beverage manufacturers and decision makers in related industries.
The objective of the exposition is to support and fuel the expanding demand for specialty tea and related products in the Northeast, mid-Atlantic and Southeast United States, and to provide solid tea education for the specialty teas' ever-growing popularity.
One noteworthy happening at World Tea East is an interactive art exhibit, called “Reflections in Tea.” Groundbreaking artist Michele Brody, in partnership with World Tea East, offer this one-of-a-kind, hands-on art exhibit, which will provide both hope and financial support to the tea-growing country of Japan. The art exhibit includes the temporary installation of a tea house constructed out of copper pipes with walls of tea-stained tea sacs. Delegates of World Tea East have the opportunity to write a message of hope or prayer on the tea sacs, as a way to offer encouragement to the families and individuals who suffered during the disasters in Japan. Attendees can make a voluntary contribution for each stained tea bag that they transcribe, and proceeds will be donated to the Japanese Red Cross. At the conclusion of the show, the tea bags will be transformed into a “Wishing Quilt,” which will be sent as a gift to the residents of the Fukushima Prefecture. What a great idea, those folks could use a morale boost.
World Tea East also provides professionals with numerous opportunities to discover new tea products, optimize merchandise, gain product knowledge and network with peers in an intimate setting. The conference is expected to bring in a high-level audience of buyers and decision makers. As well as some tea bloggers, like Alex Zorach and myself.
There is a lot more to tell you about and I will bring you more tomorrow! Not only am I thrilled to be going, but I will meet up with some tea friends I have only read about. It will be wonderful to attend a tea party without rancor and rhetoric.
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