The Midwest Tea Festival is in process of working through a transition to a new management team. As such, there will be no 2020 Midwest Tea Festival. We hope to return to you in 2021 with an even better event!
In the meantime, we will be assisting in getting the word out about the 2020 International Virtual Tea Festival, which will be held November 7 & 8, 2020!
As we have all seen over the past several months, COVID-19 is wreaking havoc on the events industry. Our prime concern is keeping our guests, speakers and vendors safe. As a tea festival is something that usually focuses a lot on tasting teas, we aren't sure how this can be done safely not knowing what requirements will be for masks and social distancing once November rolls around and an event like this cannot be planned in a few weeks. Our vendors, who provide the wealth of shopping and tasting variety for our guests, have also been hit hard by the economic shut down. With things being so uncertain and small businesses really hurting right now, we have decided to try something new!
We will be putting our efforts towards the 2020 International Virtual Tea Festival!
A virtual festival can be less of a burden to participate and travel to for everyone involved. And... what we think is a really exciting aspect of a virtual event... more international participation is possible due to the virtual nature of things!
This event will take place over November 7 & 8, 2020. Some content will be recorded for you to access at your leisure, some will be live. We will have a virtual vendor room as well where you can chat with vendors live and browse show specials and vendor exclusive content as well as more extensive listings of their wares. Some vendors will offer virtual tastings of their teas, showing how to prepare, how to use certain equipment, talking about where their teas come from.... all those things you want to ask them when you are at an in-person event with them, you can still ask. Depending on the ticket option you choose, you may also be able to taste samples of their teas along with their presentations!
Options for passes will range from a very economical general admission access to a VIP access pass that will come with a tasting cup, tea samples and more that will be shipped to you in time for the event. Classes that have a suggested equipment list in order to participate fully will be noted well in advance of the event so, if you choose to do so, you can obtain items in time for the event.
Passes will go on sale July 15. We will post details here and on Facebook so you can stay up to date!
Testimonials
"There were so many wonderful vendors present from all over the region, with an especially great local presence. I sampled many delicious teas and purchased some teas from different vendors. People were very willing to educate us as we visited booths despite the enormous crowds."
--Lisa R., Yelp Reviewer
"I saw some old favorites: Harney and Sons and Traveling Tea. I was impressed by Anne Marie’s Teas (sure wanted to win a tea bush) as well as Hugo Tea. I had no least favorites I was so impressed with everyone. I asked questions and not one person was too busy to respond, they could easily have been."
-- Tea Blog: My Tea Vault
"No matter your level of interest in tea, there was something at the festival for you – and will be again, next year!"
"All the vendors and merchants we met were so eagerly gracious in sharing their stories and explaining where their tea comes from.."
-- Kiara Watts, My City Adventures
"Someone really needs to invent a time machine so I can attend all of the presentations during the festival and stop missing out on so many great lectures."
-- Jenn Ballman, Not Starving Yet