This post is dedicated to the World Tea Expo. It was, as usual, fantastic. Here are a few highlights from my week in Vegas, from the Expo and otherwise:
Seeing so many tea people -- I love learning about what everyone is up to, talking tea and connecting with people and ideas in the industry. Connections took the forms of chatting between classes, touring the show floor, interviewing like mad, holding a TweetUp, sending the obligatory "where are you now" texts to find fellow attendees... I only wish I'd had more time to spend with everyone!
Trying new teas -- ITO EN's new shincha (sold out already), Hawaii-grown teas from Sherri Miller, oolongs from Teas, Etc. and much more... Along with the people, this is one of my favorite things about the Expo each year!
Interviews -- I held about two dozen interviews over the course of the Expo. Some were informal talks, some were sit-down-with-a-recorder interviews and some were video interviews. The videos were with notables like James Norwood Pratt, Jane Pettigrew, Bruce Richardson, Kevin Rose and Steve Schwartz. They'll start showing up on World Tea News soon.
Classes -- My favorite class was Rona Tison's Japanese green tea cupping course. Tasty! A few of my other favorites were with Charles Cain (TeaGschwendner USA), Michale Cramer (Adagio) and Elisabeth Knottingham (The Teacup in Seattle, WA), who held a fantastic class on hiring and keeping great employees.
Leaving the Strip -- Sometimes Vegas is just so... Vegas-y. This year, I got off the strip on a few occasions. Downtown Vegas' First Friday with my husband, my World Tea News boss and her husband (and his beautiful flower shop, set to open soon) was fantastic. Red Rock Canyon was gorgeous! And tapas with the Gamila Teastick crew was was tastier (and cheaper) than most of the strip fare.
What was your favorite part of the Expo? What are you looking forward to about next year?
Showing posts with label tea classes. Show all posts
Showing posts with label tea classes. Show all posts
Monday, May 11, 2009
Thursday, April 9, 2009
World Tea Expo
After attending an awesome webinar today (Charles Cain talking about how to purchase tea), I'm am getting really excited about the upcoming World Tea Expo. I'll be attending classes, interviewing some top tea experts, watching demos, writing for the show dailies, leading a tearoom owners' roundtable and orchestrating a TweetUp (follow me on Twitter to attend). My classes are:
Hire & Keep Great Employees (A challenge for most businesses, tea or otherwise...)
Focused Tasting: Oolong (I went to last year's oolong tasting an wanted to go again. Oolong is such an amazing tea!)
Focused Tasting: Puer (Attended Guang Lee's (non-tasting) session on puer last year and wanted to learn more, especially after writing about puer for World Tea News.)
Sell Your Tea Online Successfully (One of their most popular classes. I can see why!)
Skill Building: Japanese Green Tea Cupping (With the fabulous Ms. Rona Tison of ITO EN -- I'm sure it will be amazing!)
Model a Successful Teashop (With Charles Cain. Once again, I'm sure it will be great.)
Price It Right and Sell it Smart (I think this is an important topic, especially now. Can't wait to learn more!)
When we're closer to the event itself, I'll tell you more about who all I'm interviewing. Hint: It's going to be awesome!
Are you attending? What are you taking? What are you looking forward to the most?
Hire & Keep Great Employees (A challenge for most businesses, tea or otherwise...)
Focused Tasting: Oolong (I went to last year's oolong tasting an wanted to go again. Oolong is such an amazing tea!)
Focused Tasting: Puer (Attended Guang Lee's (non-tasting) session on puer last year and wanted to learn more, especially after writing about puer for World Tea News.)
Sell Your Tea Online Successfully (One of their most popular classes. I can see why!)
Skill Building: Japanese Green Tea Cupping (With the fabulous Ms. Rona Tison of ITO EN -- I'm sure it will be amazing!)
Model a Successful Teashop (With Charles Cain. Once again, I'm sure it will be great.)
Price It Right and Sell it Smart (I think this is an important topic, especially now. Can't wait to learn more!)
When we're closer to the event itself, I'll tell you more about who all I'm interviewing. Hint: It's going to be awesome!
Are you attending? What are you taking? What are you looking forward to the most?
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
World Tea Expo: Is It For Me?
Most of you who are reading this series of posts on the Expo are probably doing so because either you wanted to go and couldn't or you are trying to decide if you should go in future years. If you fall into the latter category, or if you are planning on attending (or exhibiting or speaking) in the future, this post will be of use to you. I spoke with a number of people about their feelings on the Expo and found some major trends in their level of satisfaction about attendance. The people who were the happiest about their Expo experience fell into some of the following categories:
People who are strongly (and I mean strongly) considering opening a tea business
Those who were only toying with the idea seemed more overwhelmed than anything else. Those who knew the basics of tea and had some kind of business outline fared much better. If you're not fairly sure you want to take the plunge, consider waiting another year to attend.
People who are in the planning stages of opening a tea business and who planned their Expo goals
E.g.: "I will find (and get samples from) at least three exciting new potential vendors, decide on a packaging supplier, and investigate supplementary products, such as chocolates, teaware, and tea-related beauty products."
People who have already opened a tea business, but who have specific reasons for attending the Expo
E.g.: "I need to find three great oolong teas to add to my menu," "I need to learn more in-depth information about several of the topics covered in courses and demos," or "I need source supplementary products that reflect the quality level and attitude/image of my tea business."
People who had booths AND either had booths in the past or attended the Expo before to see how the whole game works
Most people who hadn't investigated which types of booths' products and displays fared best seemed dissatisfied with their exposure level. If you're considering a booth, attend first if at all possible. Note the display styles, the attention to overall design and the details, the logistics of setup, the quantities of samples and info handouts necessary, the numbers of employees manning each booth, etc. If you can't attend, well... I guess the closest second option would be to talk to as many people as you can about it. I'm available for consultation, but my first suggestion is still to go for yourself!
People who spoke about an issue they are both knowledgeable and passionate about
What better feeling than sharing your expertise with a room full of people who want to learn about something you care about? The people who seemed most satisfied with their speaking experience were those who had spoken at the Expo or a similar event before, were well-prepared, and who had been to other Expo lectures/tastings.
People who know the tea basics and are in beginner to intermediate stages of tea knowledge
Of course, this applies for people who are only attending, not speaking or exhibiting. If you are practically a tea master and none of the other reasons for attending apply to you, then you will not gain much by attending. On the flip side, if you are at square one and know nothing about tea, I suggest waiting a year and getting the basics down before you attend.
People who are seeking to network with other tea people
It can be a very social event just as tea can be a very socially-based industry and, for better or worse, both can be just as much about who you know as what you know.
People who can plan well AND go with the flow
A difficult balance, but necessary for such a large event. Some people were very frustrated with bureaucratic errors, unexpected circumstances, changes of plans, etc. Sure, it's expensive and you had to travel all the way from wherever and blah blah blah. Still, if you can't just drink a cup of tea, relax, and get over it, this may not be the best tea event for you. There ARE other tea events out there!
People who don't completely despise Vegas
It's a polarizing town, for sure. If you hate it, try to ignore it or find SOMETHING you like about it outside the Expo, even if it only your hotel room's bathtub. (I found Red Rock, Cirque du Soleil's Love, and time with friends as focal points to balance out the bright lights, gambling addicts, and overall sleaze.)
Another interesting trend with satisfaction and attendance I noticed has to do with repeat attendees. It seems that the first year, people are going to be a little overwhelmed regardless. (As I said before, you can reduce that by preparing well or by waiting another year to attend.) When people return to the Expo, it seems that they know what to expect and how to get what they want out of it. This can lead to increased satisfaction with the event. However, if they don't want very much out of it (remember what I said about specific goals before), they find it to be a waste of time and money. My suggestion--don't feel that you have to attend every year! If you need something urgently and can't find it on your own or you have a big enough "grocery list" for your business, go for it. Otherwise, wait until your trip is warranted. You'll feel a lot happier that way, I promise.
People who are strongly (and I mean strongly) considering opening a tea business
Those who were only toying with the idea seemed more overwhelmed than anything else. Those who knew the basics of tea and had some kind of business outline fared much better. If you're not fairly sure you want to take the plunge, consider waiting another year to attend.
People who are in the planning stages of opening a tea business and who planned their Expo goals
E.g.: "I will find (and get samples from) at least three exciting new potential vendors, decide on a packaging supplier, and investigate supplementary products, such as chocolates, teaware, and tea-related beauty products."
People who have already opened a tea business, but who have specific reasons for attending the Expo
E.g.: "I need to find three great oolong teas to add to my menu," "I need to learn more in-depth information about several of the topics covered in courses and demos," or "I need source supplementary products that reflect the quality level and attitude/image of my tea business."
People who had booths AND either had booths in the past or attended the Expo before to see how the whole game works
Most people who hadn't investigated which types of booths' products and displays fared best seemed dissatisfied with their exposure level. If you're considering a booth, attend first if at all possible. Note the display styles, the attention to overall design and the details, the logistics of setup, the quantities of samples and info handouts necessary, the numbers of employees manning each booth, etc. If you can't attend, well... I guess the closest second option would be to talk to as many people as you can about it. I'm available for consultation, but my first suggestion is still to go for yourself!
People who spoke about an issue they are both knowledgeable and passionate about
What better feeling than sharing your expertise with a room full of people who want to learn about something you care about? The people who seemed most satisfied with their speaking experience were those who had spoken at the Expo or a similar event before, were well-prepared, and who had been to other Expo lectures/tastings.
People who know the tea basics and are in beginner to intermediate stages of tea knowledge
Of course, this applies for people who are only attending, not speaking or exhibiting. If you are practically a tea master and none of the other reasons for attending apply to you, then you will not gain much by attending. On the flip side, if you are at square one and know nothing about tea, I suggest waiting a year and getting the basics down before you attend.
People who are seeking to network with other tea people
It can be a very social event just as tea can be a very socially-based industry and, for better or worse, both can be just as much about who you know as what you know.
People who can plan well AND go with the flow
A difficult balance, but necessary for such a large event. Some people were very frustrated with bureaucratic errors, unexpected circumstances, changes of plans, etc. Sure, it's expensive and you had to travel all the way from wherever and blah blah blah. Still, if you can't just drink a cup of tea, relax, and get over it, this may not be the best tea event for you. There ARE other tea events out there!
People who don't completely despise Vegas
It's a polarizing town, for sure. If you hate it, try to ignore it or find SOMETHING you like about it outside the Expo, even if it only your hotel room's bathtub. (I found Red Rock, Cirque du Soleil's Love, and time with friends as focal points to balance out the bright lights, gambling addicts, and overall sleaze.)
Another interesting trend with satisfaction and attendance I noticed has to do with repeat attendees. It seems that the first year, people are going to be a little overwhelmed regardless. (As I said before, you can reduce that by preparing well or by waiting another year to attend.) When people return to the Expo, it seems that they know what to expect and how to get what they want out of it. This can lead to increased satisfaction with the event. However, if they don't want very much out of it (remember what I said about specific goals before), they find it to be a waste of time and money. My suggestion--don't feel that you have to attend every year! If you need something urgently and can't find it on your own or you have a big enough "grocery list" for your business, go for it. Otherwise, wait until your trip is warranted. You'll feel a lot happier that way, I promise.
Monday, April 21, 2008
Local Food, Tea Plants
Local food co-ops have issued a challenge to their customers: eat local produce for 80% or more of your diet during the summer months. Excerpt from The Progressive Grocer:
Although "local" is a buzzword used by many retailers, the NCGA maintains that its member natural food co-ops cultivate "truly reciprocal, long-term relationships with local growers and producers."
Participating NCGA member stores will host Eat Local America challenges within their communities, encouraging individuals to visit their store, learn when their local challenge is taking place, commit to participate, and collect information on eating local foods. Because peak harvest time varies throughout the nation, the challenge duration may vary from a one-week to one-month period, according to NCGA.
Read more here.
Personally, I'll be getting most of my grocers from a local CSA (Community Supported Agriculture). As for my tea, I'll always love teamaster-made green tea from Japan, first flush black from Darjeeling, oolong from Taiwan, and white and green teas from China, but I'll also get to try some VERY local tea soon.
Soil from Darjeeling, kindly sent to me by a tea professional in India
Chinese-variety tea seeds, kindly sent to me my a tea educator in Japan
Planting of the tea seeds, for uber-local, "fresh from my apartment" tea
If anyone in the US would like a tea seed or two, email me with your address and one way you plan to go greener this year. Have a great Earth Day tomorrow!
Although "local" is a buzzword used by many retailers, the NCGA maintains that its member natural food co-ops cultivate "truly reciprocal, long-term relationships with local growers and producers."
Participating NCGA member stores will host Eat Local America challenges within their communities, encouraging individuals to visit their store, learn when their local challenge is taking place, commit to participate, and collect information on eating local foods. Because peak harvest time varies throughout the nation, the challenge duration may vary from a one-week to one-month period, according to NCGA.
Read more here.
Personally, I'll be getting most of my grocers from a local CSA (Community Supported Agriculture). As for my tea, I'll always love teamaster-made green tea from Japan, first flush black from Darjeeling, oolong from Taiwan, and white and green teas from China, but I'll also get to try some VERY local tea soon.
Soil from Darjeeling, kindly sent to me by a tea professional in India
Chinese-variety tea seeds, kindly sent to me my a tea educator in Japan
Planting of the tea seeds, for uber-local, "fresh from my apartment" tea
If anyone in the US would like a tea seed or two, email me with your address and one way you plan to go greener this year. Have a great Earth Day tomorrow!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
