This year the Expo has moved to the North Building of the Las Vegas Convention Centre. The orientation was confusing, but once I got my bearings and a cup of Oriental Beauty from Teas Etc. tea break lounge, I was in my happy place.
Core Sessions
“Competing with the Big Guys” was presented by Shabnam Weber, owner of The Tea Emporium with 4 locations in Toronto. Her advice was sage, constructed from 12 years in the business selling premium teas long before they were readily available in the market. Here are some of her pearls:
- Nobody can sell your product better than you
- Passion for tea is infectious. “Infect” your customers, because once they’re infected, there ain’t no cure
- Don’t participate in price wars
- Carry products and services that the big companies don’t carry
- Use social media
- Don’t panic
I scurried back downstairs between sessions to see who had arrived. Now here is why WTE is so important to me socially. All year I’ve been following and tweeting along with the tea community, becoming familiar with people’s profile pictures, never sure that I would meet these “friends” in person. I knew that Lisa Kunizaki of Chambre de Sucre was attending the Expo and I felt confident that we’d connect at some point on the weekend, but there she was walking past me. She was exactly the exuberant, lovely entrepreneur that I had imagined and we hugged like long lost friends. It was great.
Meanwhile, the inimitable Jane Pettigrew’s tasting workshop Understanding Pu’er Tea was about to begin and the line up was growing. Pettigrew always attracts a full house and this was no exception. Pu’er is a complicated tea and I’ve read many online articles attempting to explain its formulation. Jane confidently talked about the history of “dark teas” with origins in the 10th and 11th centuries. Cake style tea was transported to the minorities on China’s borders, specifically Tibet and Mongolia in exchange for horses. Puer is specific to a location, Xishuanbanna, Yunnan, known for ancient arbour trees. Puer tea is now location-protected similar to Darjeeling tea. Pettigrew introduced her guests to Professor Kanzo Sakata ,Institute of Chemical Research at Kyoto University and Lui Di of Jin Damo Tea Co. Yunnan. The professor explained the difference between Sheng Pu’er – traditional method, aged for 5 – 10 years and Shu Pu’er where water is added to speed up the microbial action in a controlled factory setting. I have a new attitude toward this “cultured” tea and will revisit the Pu’er that I have at home with a new appreciation. I had to exit before the actual Pu’er tasting unfortunately, but I heard that it was a privilege to taste the rare teas that were presented .
I departed Jane’s tasting prematurely in order to catch what was left of Steven Downer’s presentation: Steampunk and Alt Culture in your Tea House. I don’t know if I’ve been living in another universe, but I had never heard of this post modern phenomenon. Think Victoria meets Mad Max. Steven had invited the local Las Vegas Steampunk Tea Society to come and have tea. Steven and his wife Jenny brought their Steampunk tea party paraphernalia with them all the way from Fairbanks Alaska.
Here’s what I learned about the Steampunk alt culture:
- Steampunk’s alt culture is multi generational
- It is loosely defined, changing constantly with no static images
- It takes inspiration from writers HG Wells, William Gibson and electrical inventor Nikola Tesla
- It seems to involve gears, early electrical hardware and goggles
- Enthusiasts will spend $5 – $10,000 on costumes
- Guy Ritchie’s Sherlock Holmes films reflect the Steampunk aesthetic
- At events some people will take on a persona with a back story
- Steve and Jenny are developing new Steampunk tea products
On the Exhibit Floor
I love the first day of WTE. People – vendors and delegates alike – are buoyant and full of enthusiasm. Here are my highlights:
At North American Tea Championship Winners Tasting Circle for Black Teas I met Hovik Azadkhamian whose family company, Alvin’s, has been in the tea business since 1976. Hovik is third generation of coffee roasters and tea blenders. Their Earl Grey was subtler than most but delivered its bergamot beautifully.
The Korean Pavilion was a destination for me as I will be travelling to the enchanting country in August. The Korean delegation presented some lovely green teas and I was surprised at the bamboo teas on offer.
Engaging Vendors
Brandon Ford from Akron Ohio has been a wine lover and educator for 10 years and a tea lover all his life. He is on his way to tea mastery through the STI program. The Expo is his “hello world moment” as he presents his new concept “Vintage Teaworks” with blends such as Green Tea Sauvignon and Black Tea Merlot. My fave – Oolong Chardonnay.
Occasionally I find myself engaging with vendors for longer periods because I am passionate about their product. 1660 London and its creators Peter Ting and Lu Zhou delighted me with stories of the creation of their brilliant tasting cups. 4 years from original concept and they are ready to market here at WTE. Both designers are located in London UK. Peter a ceramic designer and Lu a graphic designer and tea expert. After a recent prestigious launch at the Victoria and Albert museum they have been happily overwhelmed by the positive response here at the expo. I will be writing a piece in more depth about this interesting product and Peter’s journey to develop it.
The first Wu-Wo Tea Ceremony took place in an open space at the back of the exhibit hall. A large group of individuals brought their tea equipment and prepared in silence for those beside them. It was unique to watch and because it is so new to people I’m sure it will grow and improve if it is featured again next year.
Packing up now and ready to head out to Day 2. Check back in tomorrow!
