Tea Masters Cup to Debut in the US at World Tea Expo 2019
Image: American Specialty Tea Alliance
The Tea Masters Cup will have its debut in the US this year, with the first national qualifying round taking place at the World Tea Expo, 11-13 June in Las Vegas.
“The start of the Tea Masters Cup competitions in the United States is a landmark movement,” said Tony Gebely, the executive director of the American Specialty Tea Alliance. “We’re thrilled to bring this event to World Tea Expo and to the US.
“The American market is one of the most valued markets in the world, and the development of global tea culture is largely due to the development of trends here. Moreover, the demand for an international platform for the professional growth of tea specialists has never been greater. The Tea Masters Cup serves as that platform, and the United States serves as beacon for tea style and trends; thus, US participation will drive momentum in the wave of popularity that this historical drink, tea, is currently experiencing.”
Samantha Hammer, the World Tea Expo event director and World Tea brand leader at Informa Exhibitions, said: “Having the United States be a part of the Tea Masters Cup – especially at World Tea Expo and within that community – is an important step toward furthering the art and craft of professional tea preparation in our country and abroad. World Tea Expo is excited to be a part of the team making this happen, and we’re proud to host the competition this June in Las Vegas.”
ASTA, which recently took over the functions of the national body of Tea Masters Cup (TMC) in the United States, focuses on growing interest in specialty tea, in both the tea industry and the public, through education, collaboration, research and communication.
Tea Masters Cup is an international system of competitions for tea professionals held in four different categories since 2013: tea preparation, tea pairing, tea mixology and tea tasting. Currently, 22 countries are registered to hold national TMC competitions. The international final of the Tea Masters Cup is held annually, following a series of qualifying championships in the participating countries. The conference program also includes 50+ business-building educational sessions and pre-conference workshops, and a new educational track focused on tea and hospitality/foodservice.
World Tea Expo is a global event for the tea community and vertical markets that sell, serve, manufacture or distribute tea. Each year, more than 3,000 attendees from 50+ countries gather at the conference and expo to explore the latest tea innovations, trends and business-building strategies.
