Congratulations to the 2018 World Tea Award Winners at the World Tea Expo in Las Vegas

One of many tea tastings at the World Tea Expo in Las Vegas

Perhaps you haven’t thought that much about what leaves are in your cup of tea. At the World Tea Expo, we learned it’s a broad, yet delicate, multifaceted world much like the wine industry, but even older. World Tea Expo is North America’s specialty tea market and leading tradeshow focusing on premium teas. Those who build their brands and business on quality teas and related products meet at this once a year expo to share fresh ideas, steep in the latest trends and build new business relationships. Buying, selling and education abounded throughout the week-long event in mid-June with attendees capitalizing on the growing demand of premium tea products.

Serving a nearly $14 billion US tea industry that is expected to grow an additional $500 million per year through 2021, specialty/premium tea is driving this growth and holds much of the market share today, remaining the main focus of products, services and education at World Tea Expo.

Who attends the World Tea Expo? The mix of large and small retailers, tea room owners, distributors, F&B directors, resort & spa directors, specialty grocers, mass merchants and business professionals attend every year to see over 300 high-quality tea suppliers and related vendors from 22 countries exhibit new products and innovations. Many of the exhibiting companies exhibit nowhere else, making attendance at the World Tea Expo an exclusive opportunity to visit these specialty suppliers.

For the cream of the crop; companies and people that have made significant impacts to the industry, there are awards honored every year by the World Tea Expo Advisory Board, with the John Harney Lifetime Achievement Award bestowed on one of the most influential tea industry leaders that have advanced the business of tea with their outstanding impact. With 19 nominees (*listed below), the 2018 winner is Nigel Melica, Managing Director of Teacraft Ltd. We extend heartfelt congratulations to Nigel for his family oriented, scientific approach and hands on accomplishments that have touched nearly every continent on the planet.

We extend congratulations to all of the 2018 World Tea Award winners for their outstanding and well deserved accomplishments. The full list of winners by category is listed below. So, the next time you peruse your favorite tea shop, online retailer or grocery aisle, pause for a moment and reflect on the forward thinking, driven individuals that take the tea from farm to your relaxing, refreshing, delicious cup.

Here is the complete list of this year’s World Tea Award winners:

   Best Tea Health Advocate: Katharine Burnett, PhD (U.C. Davis)

Best Consumer-Oriented Tea Marketing Campaign/Promotion: International Tea Sippers Society – Sip for Peace

Best Tea Brewing Device (Electric, Battery Powered): Bonavita 1.0L Digital Variable Temperature Gooseneck Kettle

Best Tea Brewing Device (Non-Electric): Mountain Tea tumbler by The Tea Spot

Best Retail Tea Shop, Cafe, Bar: Camellia Sinensis

Best Tea Accessory: Double Walled Glass Cups, Pavina Design 12 oz. Tea for One by Bodum

Best Tea Publication: Global Tea Hut (Tea and Tao Magazine) – Aaron Fisher (Wu De)

Best E-Commerce Tea Website: Camellia Sinensis

Best Tea Trade Website (Wholesale): a tie between International Tea Importers and The G.S. Haly Company

Best Specialty Tea Brand: The Tao of Tea

Best Sustainability Initiative: Young Mountain Tea – Global Tea Exchange in India & Nepal

Best Tea Blog: teaformeplease.com – Tea for Me Please by Nicole Martin

Best Tea Educator: Suzette Hammond – Being Tea

Best Grassroots Tea Education Campaign: NorthWest Tea Festival – Seattle/World Tea Series

John Harney Lifetime Achievement Award: Nigel Melican

* 2018 John Harney Lifetime Achievement Award Nominees:

Rajah Banerjee	Founder - Makaibari Tea Estate
Dan Bolton	Editor/Publisher - Tea Journey Magazine
Charlie Cain	Principal & Executive Consultant -- Building Oz
Babette Donaldson	Founder - International Tea Sippers Society
Kevin Gascoyne	Owner - Camellia Sinensis
Sanjay Guha	International Tea Consultant
Richard Guzauskas	Consultant/ Specialty Tea Industry
Manik Jayakumar	Founder & CEO -- Qtrade Teas & Herbs
Nigel Melican	Managing Director - Teacraft Ltd.
Jane Pettigrew	Author & Speaker - Jane Pettigrew
Bruce Richardson	Author /Publisher -  Benjamin Press
Louise Roberge	President - Tea Association of Canada
Ron Rubin	Minister of Tea & Chief Executive Officer - The Republic of Tea
David Segal	Co-Founder & Brand Ambassador (Retired) - David's Tea
Thomas Shu	Owner - JT & Tea Inc.
Tim Smith	Chief Leaf - The Tea Smith LLC
Abigail St. Clair	Owner - TeBella Tea Company
Maria Uspenski	Founder - The Tea Spot
Bill Waddington	Founder & President - TeaSource