World Tea Expo 2025

Tea Business Incubator is for anyone interested in starting a tea business or wanting more business insight about the tea industry.  We cover the business of tea, it is strongly suggested that for the basics of tea, you attend our Tea Primer on Sunday, March 24, 2025.
8:00am - 8:15am - Daniel Lewis - Introduction

8:15am - 9:15am - Stijn Van Schoonlandt - 
Unlocking the Future of Tea Storytelling with Generative AI
Are you ready to revolutionize the way you create video content about your passion and story around tea? Join us for an enlightening talk where we dive into the cutting-edge world of generative AI together with Stijn Van Schoonlandt who is supporting a large part of his business with different AI tools.
In this talk, you'll discover:

• Scriptwriting with AI: Learn how to utilize generative AI tools to craft engaging and dynamic video scripts that captivate your audience.
• Automated Video Generation: Explore the process of transforming your AI-generated script into a high-quality video with just a few clicks.
• Voice Over Mastery: Experience the seamless integration of AI text-to-speech technology to add professional voiceovers to your videos.
• Insights in creating your digital twin : curious to find out how you could possibly clone yourself? Let’s discover together what are the limits.

But that's not all—this is an interactive session! You'll receive a hands-on assignment to create your own video about the expo, applying the techniques you've learned. Showcase your creativity and technical prowess, and the most outstanding video will be awarded an incredible prize at the end of the conference.
Don't miss this opportunity to elevate your tea storytelling skills and be at the forefront of digital innovation. Join us and embark on a journey to mastering generative AI in video creation!

9:30am - 10:15am - Mark Arathoon -  Building Your Brand: 6 Reasons to Work with a Contract Manufacturer
Building your brand and partner with a contract manufacturer or fundamentals of contract manufacturing: contract manufacturing helps tea companies optimize resources, enhance product quality, and stay competitive in a dynamic market. A few of the pillars of why brands look to outsource their manufacturing to a third party.

1. Cost Efficiency: By outsourcing production, companies can avoid the high costs of establishing and maintaining manufacturing facilities. This allows them to leverage the expertise and infrastructure of contract manufacturers.
2. Expertise and Quality: Contract manufacturers often specialize in tea processing and have established expertise, which can enhance product quality and consistency.
3. Scalability: Businesses can easily scale production up or down based on demand without the need for significant investment in additional resources or equipment.
4. Focus on Core Competencies: Companies can concentrate on other critical areas such as marketing, branding, and distribution while leaving the production to specialized experts.
5. Innovation and Flexibility: Contract manufacturers can offer advanced processing techniques and flexibility in production schedules, enabling companies to quickly adapt to market trends and introduce new products.
6. Risk Management: Outsourcing production can reduce the risks associated with operational disruptions, such as equipment failures or supply chain issues, as these responsibilities are managed by the contract manufacturer.

10:30am - 11:15am -Dean Jablon - Pricing Your Products For Success
Understanding your product pricing is one of the most important facets of your business.
You will learn how to:

• Position your products to command the highest price possible.
• Target specific high profit customer groups.
• Upsell multiple products with each order to increase revenue.
• Offer tiered pricing discounts and other incentives.
• Capture customer feedback and offer value propositions.

11:30am - 12:15 - Dale Willerton -  13 Costly Mistakes Tea Shop Tenants Make Negotiating New Leases & Renewals
The Lease Coach presents this session for both start-up tea shop entrepreneurs and existing tenants. Learn the 13 costly mistakes tenants make in the leasing process and what never to say or do in the leasing process. Find out how to negotiate for free rent, tenant allowance money, no deposits or personal guaranty’s, including site selection tips and must hear lease renewal do’s and don’ts.  How to effectively manage landlord and broker relationships so you stay in control and pay the lowest possible rental rate.  All session attendees will receive a complimentary copy of the book Negotiating Commercial Leases & Renewals FOR DUMMIES authored by the presenter Dale Willerton, The Lease Coach.

1:15pm - 2:00pm - Luke Cahill - Winning on the Shelf
How do you win in increasingly crowded, ever changing categories? What are the core keys to success to make sure your brand and package stands out? - How can you leverage and/or overcome category realities in a crowded space? - How do shoppers make decisions in the First Moment of Truth? What can you do to make sure your brand is chosen over competition? How do you become the go-to non-conscious choice for shoppers?

2:15pm - 3:00pm - CJ Sugita-Jackson - Creating Immersive Tea Experiences: From Ceremony to Themed
CJ will guide attendees through designing & executing captivating tea ceremonies and immersive themed events. By integrating entertainment and immersive opportunities, businesses can offer unique experiences that address growing consumer interest in the immersive food & beverage industries.

3:15pm - 4:00pm - Billy Dietz - Mastering Supplier Relations in the Tea Industry: Everything You Need to Know to Get Started.
This session provides essential guidance on establishing and maintaining successful relationships with your tea supplier, wholesaler, or blender. Learn how to effectively engage with suppliers as a new customer, including the key questions to ask and the inquiries you should be prepared to answer. Gain insights into fostering long-term, mutually beneficial partnerships that will support your business growth and ensure a consistent supply of high-quality tea.

4:15pm - 5:00pm - Q &A

Calling all veteran tea business owners who are ready to ascend to new heights of success! This is your opportunity to have your questions answered by our panel of tea industry luminaries. They’ll share the strategies, techniques, and insights that separate the exceptional from the ordinary. The challenges of tomorrow are different than the challenges of yesterday so let our experts give you the tools to tackle those obstacles and turn that bottom line from red to black! 
This was one of the most popular sessions of the 2024 conference, it was sold out so come early.

In the world of gourmet experiences, the combination of tea and cheese stands out as a sophisticated and delightful pairing. Join us for an immersive skill building session, where we will explore the principles of food and tea pairing, followed by a sensory tasting session designed to educate and inspire.
This session will begin with an introduction to the fundamental concepts of pairing tea with food, focusing on how different flavors, textures, and aromas can harmonize on the palate. Participants will then embark on a guided tasting experience, sampling a curated selection of teas and cheeses. Through this hands-on session, attendees will not only discover new insights about tea but also learn how to create compelling and complementary pairings.
Furthermore, Fabiola will provide practical advice on organizing similar tea and cheese events in your own business. By the end of the session, participants will be equipped with the knowledge and skills to host their own tastings, enhancing their offerings and attracting new customers with these unique experiences.
Join us for this delectable journey and elevate your tea business by mastering the art of tea and cheese pairing.
TakeawaysUnderstanding Tea and Food Pairing Principles: Gain insights into the core concepts of pairing tea with food, learning how flavors, textures, and aromas can complement each other to create a balanced sensory experience.
Hands-On Sensory Tasting Experience: Engage in a guided tasting of a curated selection of teas and cheeses, discovering new flavor combinations and deepening your understanding of both tea and cheese.
Organizing Tea and Cheese Events: Learn practical tips and strategies for hosting your own tea and cheese tasting events, enabling you to offer unique experiences that can attract and retain customers.
 

Discover the rare, hidden gems of the tea world in this unique tasting opportunity .
This course takes you on a global journey to experience unique and rare teas from exclusive tea-producing regions. You will experience the distinct flavors, traditions, and stories behind these exceptional teas. 
Perfect for specialty tea enthusiasts looking to expand their palate and knowledge, this course will leave you with a deeper appreciation for the art of tea. Join us and indulge in the rare and exquisite world of artisan teas.