Penton's World Tea Expo is offering a variety of business-building and educational pre-conference programs, including the World Origin Tasting Tour. This full day "tour" is an interactive, educational and entertaining program that covers the tastes and cultures of some of the most important tea growing regions in the world. The World Origin Tasting Tour takes place June 14 from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., the day before the launch of World Tea Expo.

World Tea Expo (#WorldTeaExpo or #WTE16), the leading tradeshow focused on advancing the business of tea, takes place June 15 - 17, 2016 (with the pre-conference program June 13 - 14) in Las Vegas, Nev. at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Registration and the conference agenda can be found at WorldTeaExpo.com.

The World Origin Tasting Tour will make "stops" at China, India, Sri Lanka, Kenya, Nepal, Japan and Taiwan. At each destination, attendees will explore the country's tea culture, unique manufacturing processes, and taste teas authentic to that origin, giving them a solid understanding of the flavors and profiles of each.

"The World Origin Tasting Tour takes us on a journey of discovery to seven major countries of origin," says Donna Fellman, a well-respected tea expert, educator and program director of World Tea Academy, part of Penton's World Tea brand that also includes World Tea Expo, World Tea News and the North American Tea Championship. "During this virtual tour around the globe, participants will better understand each of the countries of origin, taste the teas, and discover the culture and people behind them. The World Origin Tasting Tour --- as well as the other pre-conference programs --- is a great way to kick off one's tea education before attending the three-day World Tea Expo."

In addition to the World Origin Tasting Tour, World Tea Expo's pre-conference programs include the Tea Business Boot Camp on June 13 from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and World Tea Academy LIVE! on June 13 from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Both the Tea Business Boot Camp and World Tea Academy LIVE! include the World Origin Tasting Tour on June 14. The Tea Business Boot Camp is a one-of-a-kind, two-day, intensive and hands-on program that covers critical topics facing the tea entrepreneur, such as the basics of a tea business, financial management considerations, marketing, purchasing and inventory, and Tea 101. World Tea Academy LIVE! is a "taste" of what World Tea Academy's online program has to offer. This year in the pre-conference program, World Tea Academy Live! presents the first class in a new series, Tea Sommelier Protocols: S.1 Designing a Tea Menu.

Those who register for the World Origin Tasting Tour, Tea Business Boot Camp or World Tea Academy LIVE! may also register and join thousands of professionals at World Tea Expo. The three-day conference and expo presents hundreds of new tea products, education sessions, workshops and business-growing activities, setting the pace for "what's next" in tea.

World Tea Expo's core conference sessions are designed to meet the specific needs of retailers, foodservice businesses, distributors, product developers and others in various vertical markets with different levels of experience. Numerous Focused Tea Tastings offer 90-minute organoleptic explorations of tea styles, tea regions and tea pairings. And the Skill Building Workshops hone important industry skills like cupping and blending.

In addition to the education sessions, World Tea Expo's bustling show floor features hundreds of the latest tea products and services, many of which cannot be found at any other trade show.

Other World Tea Expo highlights include: the Best New Product Awards, the World Tea Awards, and the North American Tea Championship (NATC) Winners Tasting Circle.

World Tea Expo attendees include top companies and professionals from more than 50 countries, representing: tea and coffee shops, grocery chains, private label brands, gourmet retailers, convenience stores, distributors, online businesses, restaurants and chefs, foodservice, hotels, distributors, manufacturers and beverage developers, among others interested in building their business through tea.

To register for World Tea Expo today, or for additional information, visit WorldTeaExpo.com.