Presenter's Material
Update on the Specialty Tea Institute (STI) Certification Program
The founders of APTI (which has now morphed into STI) once decided that, with the changes eminent in the specialty tea industry, an education program geared toward unifying the vast amount of information about tea was necessary. This program has now come to fruition and presently STI offers several multi- level seminars for the education of tea professionals and amateurs on a regular and formalized basis.
Richard Guzauskas' presentation offered an overview of the program, known as the "STI Education and Certification Program". The presentation included disclosures and discussion on the direction, possible impact and financial position of the program. The presentation also touched upon the strengths and weaknesses of the program as it exists and on the program's benefits to the tea industry in general, as well as outlining a possible future of the program.
Richard Guzauskas' officially entered the main stream of the tea industry in 1991 by founding Leaves Pure Teas. He remained sole owner of the Leaves Pure Teas brand until April 2001, at which time China Mist Tea Company purchased the brand. Richard presently works as a consultant assisting the China Mist Tea Co. to grow the Leaves brand both domestically and overseas.
A well-healed traveler and well-received contributor to many tea publications, Richard lectures on tea and has taught many overflowing classes on the subject of tea. He continues to lead seminars on teas across the country and abroad.
Richard presently chairs the committee charged with creating a program of seminars for tea education and certification within the Specialty Tea Institute.