The Women in Tea & Coffee Conference is only days away
The SCA’s Specialty Coffee Expo (the final expo bearing that moniker) kicks off tonight in Houston, Texas with an exhibitor reception followed by classes, workshops, the exhibition, and competitions beginning tomorrow and running through Sunday (25-27 April). T&CTJ will be exhibiting so if you are attending, please stop by our booth – #1507 – to grab a copy of our latest issue or learn about our upcoming conference.
T&CTJ’s inaugural conference, Women in Tea & Coffee is only one week away but there is still time to attend! Our new concept in tea and coffee conferences is taking place on 2 May at The View in central London. This one-day event offers women a chance to learn more about opportunities in both the tea and coffee industries on the manufacturing/consuming side from women currently in key positions with major coffee and tea brands, allied service companies, as well as coffee and tea associations/organisations.
Women play important roles throughout the tea and coffee supply chains – from ‘bean and leaf to cup’ – evidenced by the varied positions held by our speakers and panellists. The geographic make-up of the conference is just as diverse, with women hailing from Africa, Canada, the European Union, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
The Women in Tea & Coffee Conference (WiTC) aims to advance women’s careers within the coffee or the tea industry through knowledge and networking opportunities in a collaborative setting, so women looking to forge a career in either industry or those women perhaps looking to ‘make a change’ can both learn how to navigate the best career path from women who have risen or are rising up the ranks. More than that though, WiTC is an event for women to elevate and support women.
Our keynote speakers include Vanúsia Nogueira, executive director, International Coffee Organization (coffee); and Rona Tison, executive advisor and tea ambassador, ITO EN-North America (tea). Our other speakers and panellists include: Dilara Celik, partnerships and communications manager at 4C Services; Sian Edwards, director of strategy & insights, Finlays; Katrina Farmer, European category manager, Clipper; Suzanne Giele, head of social impact, LIPTON Tea & Infusions; Dr Sharon Hall, chief executive, UK Tea & Herbal Infusions Association; Elizabeth Langdon, vice chair, British Coffee Association; Keely Wade, marketing manager, Lincoln & York; Shabnam Weber, president, Tea & Herbal Association of Canada; and Ana Wilkes, head of coffee research, Neumann Kaffee Gruppe.
Sessions include a sustainability panel focusing on sustainability from origin through the supply chain and how women are vital to each industry’s sustainability (and viability); a careers in tea and coffee panel where women can learn about the numerous positions and careers available in both industries; an International Women in Coffee Alliance and International Alliance for Women in Tea joint session where speakers will discuss each organisation’s efforts to assist and nurture female producers; a speed networking (similar to ‘speed dating’) session with participating companies, as well as a coffee-cupping demonstration and a matcha-preparation demonstration.
Please join us on 2 May in London for this new concept in tea and coffee conferences. To register for the Women in Tea & Coffee Conference or to learn more, visit women.teaandcoffee.events.
