World Tea Expo 2025 opens with its own dedicated expo hall
World Tea Expo 2025 kicks off today with its Tea Incubator workshop for new tea business owners and those looking to open tea businesses. The annual show, which takes place in Las Vegas from 24 to 26 March, looks different than previous editions. For the first time in several years, World Tea will have a dedicated expo hall. While the expo will still be co-located with Bar & Restaurant Expo, World Tea will have its own expo hall on the second floor of the Las Vegas Convention Center, designed to cater to the specific needs and interests of the tea community. World Tea Expo conference sessions will be on the same floor, just steps from the expo hall, making it easier than ever to navigate. There will be a Grand Opening Ceremony with a special red carpet and ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the official opening of the new, dedicated expo hall.
World Tea Expo attracts a concentrated audience of tea buyers including retailers, tea shops, restaurants, hotels, universities, health and wellness venues, bars, and other hospitality venues looking for the latest tea products to support their business growth.
Attendees are offered a diverse array of products from global exhibitors, featuring everything from traditional teas to highly popular ready-to-drink teas, iced teas, herbals, boba tea, hard tea, technology, packaging, and more.
World Tea Expo continues to evolve in step with the rapidly expanding global tea industry and is introducing multiple updates and enhancements designed to maximise the attendee experience, such as Cash and Carry Purchasing where attendees can purchase products directly from exhibitors, making it easy to discover, buy and bring back the best in the industry without delay. Additionally, there are new Conference Tracks – included with a Tea Guru Pass or Conference Pass – covering retail, supply chain, products and innovation, foodservice and hospitality and ‘Tea Nerdery’. Winners of the 2025 Global Tea Championship will be announced at the World Tea Expo Awards Reception on Tuesday, 25 March. This competition celebrates teas from around the world.
“We’re excited to offer a dynamic environment dedicated to all things tea,” said Tim McLucas, market leader of the Hospitality Group at Questex, which owns and operates World Tea Expo. “We’ve curated a more immersive setting to enhance the tea education experience for attendees; and added many new features to align with buyers’ needs for first class education, networking and business development opportunities.”
Tea consumption is soaring as consumers seek health benefits and relaxation. Suzy Badaracco of Culinary Tides, said post-pandemic consumers prioritise mental well-being, finding comfort in teas with calming floral notes and natural, clean-label ingredients. At World Tea Expo, attendees can meet leading exhibitors showcasing wellness-focused teas, including functional blends, botanical infusions, and traditional green teas fused with fruit flavors. Expect to see brands like Gong Cha, Firebelly Tea, and Renegade Tea Estate demonstrating their latest products and sharing their brand stories.
Boba tea continues to captivate Gen Z audiences with its experiential appeal. “It’s awesome to see the younger generation embracing tea experiences,” said Gabriela Parck, a tea sommelier and Gong Cha’s senior manager of training for the Americas. The Expo will feature boba tea innovators, offering attendees a firsthand look at this colourful and customisable drink trend.
Sustainability remains a critical focus in the tea industry. World Tea Expo exhibitors will highlight products and practices that support eco-conscious values. Many exhibitors will showcase minimal-waste packaging, innovative brewing tools, and sustainable sourcing initiatives.
To register for World Tea Expo, or for more information, visit: worldteaexpo.com.
