2007

Wrap-Up

June 7-8, 2007 – tea industry professionals from across the globe gathered to share insight, provide trade related updates, and share views on tea global tea industry. With downtown Atlanta as their backdrop, Tea Association members and friends joined each other for two days of fun and networking.

Held in conjunction with the World Tea Expo, the International Tea Gathering jump started with a lovely Welcome Reception atop the Westin Hotel’s Sun Dial Room on Thursday evening. Attendees enjoyed a delicious array of hors d’oeuvres and specially mixed Mar-TEA-Ni’s while taking in the amazing view of downtown Atlanta from 73 stories high.

On Friday the festivities continued with a golf outing at Crystal Lake Golf & Country Club along with a very informative Producing Country/Importer/Retailer briefing. Presenters at the briefing included Mr. Joseph Simrany (Tea Association of the U.S.A., Inc.), Louise Roberge (Tea Association of Canada), Lalith Hettiarachchi (Sri Lanka Tea Board), Bushan Subba (Nepal Tea/WI), and Charles Mbui (Kenya Tea Development Agency). The day came to an end with a reception and dinner at the world famous Ruth’s Chris Steak House.



Old friendships were renewed while several new ones took shape. Thank you to all the attendees and sponsors for participating in this special occasion.

Top: (left to right) Joseph Simrany (Tea Association of the USA, Inc.), Joseph Wertheim (Tea Importers, Inc.). Center: Leslie Atkinson, Citi Tea, Nyakio Mwirigi, Nyokabi Kiarie-Warobi, Lawrence Kamau & Kithinji Mwirigi (The Amali Group). Bottom: Lori Bigelow (R.C. Bigelow), Richard Enticott (Plantextrakt), Carlos Tschirsch (Koch Tschirsch S.A.C.I.e.I), & Bachan Gyawali (Jun Chiyabari Tea Garden)