7th ANNUAL SPECIALTY TEA INSTITUTE (STI) SYMPOSIUM IN ATLANTA THE MARKETING OF SPECIALTY TEA: A NEW APPROACH TO AN ANCIENT PRODUCT
Well over 100 delegates attended the STI/SCAA Tea Symposium in Atlanta, GA on April 23-24, 2004 to further their knowledge of tea. Expert volunteers conducted 8 separate seminars for the Specialty Tea Institute on a broad range of topics ranging from merchandising techniques to sustainability. In addition, attendees were treated to a special luncheon presentation titled: Green Tea & White Tea: The Truth, the Hype and Everything in Between.
In total, STI/SCAA had a combined attendance of over 7,500 attendees and exhibitors at this event. The facilities were excellent and spacious and attendees were greeted by some of the finest weather that Atlanta had to offer.
Feedback from the attendees was very positive with many of them expressing sincere gratitude to STI for providing them with such an important opportunity to learn more about tea and to network with their peers and industry executives. An excellent opportunity to network was offered by the Mar-Tea-NI reception where, in addition to meeting many different people, the attendees got to taste some innovative martini's mixed with tea. Miriam Novalle from the T Salon provided her signature blends that were included in the Pineapple Mint, Apple Orchard and Peach/Apricot Mar-Tea-Ni's.
The 2005 STI/SCAA Symposium is already underway and has been identified to take place in Seattle, Washington from April 15th- 16th at the Crowne Plaza Hotel. STI will expect an even higher outcome next year based on its membership growth and the highly anticipated Certification Program that will be in tact and offered to attendees.