October 21 – 22, 2023
Overland Park, KS
Overland Park Convention Center
Tea Marketplace – Tea Education – Tea Business Seminar
Tea Celebration for Central U.S.
Unlike the annual festival season on the west coast, this is the only tea event for the central U.S. Last year, the 2022 MWTF was the first in-person tea event after the Covid cancellations. And it was received Like all of the tea fests, it’s a unique experience. Tea lovers in the area come together as a community, celebrating their passion and hobby. International tea businesses and educators come to engage with attendees and help to build interest in fine, artisan teas. Local tea businesses have the opportunity to shine in the greater tea community and build their own businesses.
NEW to MWTF 2023 is a tea business seminar, “Is There A Tea Business In Your Future?”
RETURNING to MWTF is the generosity of TeaTime Magazine distributing their newest edition.
Making MWTF Unique For Central U.S.
Organizer, Dr. Sally Wei, who has participated in all the U.S. festivals, brings some of the top speakers popular features to the Kansas City area. She knows that one of the most important reasons tea lovers attend events like this is to be engaged with others passionate about tea.
So she adds her own creative touch with a free networking evening. Stay for tea after the classes are over and the marketplace closes – just to socialize with other tea people. And dress up for the Jane Austen theme.
Jane Austen Networking Party
Saturday, 10/21/2023 6:00PM ~ 8:00PM
Guests with a General Admission or Business Seminar ticket are invited to attend this FREE event. Dress Up and Costumes are encouraged. Meet with the Tea experts, vendors, presenters.Tea is included, provided by Simpson & Vail. Snacks available to purchased on site.
The Tea Lounge Experience
The Tea Lounge is a small group tasting experience that has become the most popular experience at the Midwest Tea Festival. It’s a 45-minute session, tasting some of the top teas from each tea company. The Tea Lounge isn’t included in the general admission ticket. It requires a separate registration – $5 per tasting.
- Nepal Tea Collective
- ISTea
- Single Origin Teas
- Australian Tea Masters
- Harney & Sons
- Sugimoto Tea
- Mrs. Little’s Tea & Toys
- Chicago Tea House
- Big Heart Tea
- Chicago Tea House
Classes & Speakers
Festival guests consider the classes offered by leaders in the tea industry is one of the most important elements for every tea festival. Below are some of the classes being offered at MWTF 2023. Many classes are included with the cost of your ticket on a f”irst-come” basis. There is an additional fee for the ones marked with an *.
- Reading Tea Leaves: A Fun How-To Class – Elizabeth Little
- How To Help TheTea Community Grow – Cody Wade & Jenni-Lin Williams
- Immersive Tea Tourism – Nischal Banskota
- Tea Cultivation in the Era of Climate Change – James Orrock
- Tea Hobby to Tea Business – Tim Smith *
- Sharing Your Passion For Tea – Stacie Robertson *
- Getting & Keeping Loyal Tea Customers – Babette Donaldson *
- Japanese Tea Varieties – Noli Ergas
- Tips for Finding Your Favorite Japanese Teas and Brewing Methods – Akiko Ono
- Tea vs. Tisanes: Discover The Beauty Of Mother Nature Emilie Jackson
- Tea Cocktails and Mocktails – Rebecca Grzeskowiak
- The 10 Most Important Things You Need To Know Before Opening A Tea Shop – Sharyn Johnson *
- Partnership Businesses; Co-Locating With Compatible Businesses – Alex Jackson *
- Social Media & Content Creation – Cody Wade *
“Is There A Tea Business In Your Future?”
Many people who come to tea festivals have a dream of opening their own tearoom or teashop, starting an online tea business or adding tea to an existing business – like a gift shop or coffee shop. To serve this need, MWTF scheduled a full weekend seminar, “Is There A Tea Business In Your Future?”
T Ching Article: Is There A Tea Business In Your Future?”
This program was created especially for people who are considering their own small tea business. A tea shop, tearoom or tea lounge. A tea “truck” or selling at local farmer’s markets. Maybe an online store. In a recent article on “Tea As A Side Gig”, T Ching explores some of the ways that people are turning their hobby into a business. The in-person event offers eight presentations, multiple Q&A sessions, a pre-festival set of pre-recorded classes and a post-festival Zoom meeting followup. (All for $199)
These two videos are part of the pre-recorded content that the business students are receiving.
“Origin Stories: How Tea Entrepreneurs Decided To Start Their First Business.”
