He is the Founder and CEO of Table Rock Tea Company and a recognized pioneer in the modern American tea movement. Since 2006, Steve has been dedicated to advancing US tea production through education and hands-on experience. He is the author of the groundbreaking guide, How to Grow and Make Tea in the United States, which has empowered countless hobbyists and professionals to enter the industry. Steve and his wife, Jennifer, currently cultivate Real American Tea®️ on their 30-acre farm in upstate South Carolina.

Toshiko Sugii Steffes is a masterful WAGASHI designer, specializing in the art of traditional Japanese sweets. Captivated by the elegance of WAGASHI, which beautifully reflects the changing seasons and the harmony of nature, her creations embody both tradition and innovation. With endless possibilities offered by the intricate techniques of WAGASHI, her work continues to push boundaries in this time-honored craft.

A certified WAGASHI master, Toshiko trained under both traditional and contemporary experts, honing her skills to perfection. She now creates bespoke designs, leads workshops, and shares her artistry in both the U.S. and Japan. In 2016, she authored the first-ever WAGASHI recipe book, published in Japan and later introduced to readers in Taiwan and Hong Kong, marking a milestone in the global appreciation of this delicate art form.

Maria Kordas, a highly skilled and experienced professional, holds a Doctor of Nursing degree and serves as the Director of Nursing for six clinics in a non-profit healthcare organization. Additionally, she is the Chief Executive Officer for VitalisCare Clinic, which she runs alongside her husband. Beyond her healthcare endeavors, Maria and her husband are proud owners of Maria's Farm, a lavender farm spanning 23 acres.

At Maria's Farm, their expertise lies in producing high-quality lavender products, including lavender honey, lavender tea, culinary lavender, herbal teas, and spa lavender products. They also provide a unique experience for visitors, offering activities such as goat yoga, afternoon lavender tea, and Lavender honey tastings. Maria's Farm even offers Airbnb accommodations, providing guests with an opportunity to immerse themselves in the beauty of French Provence in Marengo at Maria's La Petite Maison.

Come and enjoy the serene ambiance, fresh air, and nature at Maria's Farm—an expertly curated destination for lavender enthusiasts and nature lovers alike.

Frank Moriarty is the prior President of Lake County Beekeepers Association (LCBA), Illinois, one of the state’s largest clubs supporting Beekeeping. He manages a few Apiaries in Illinois and has won several Regional & National Awards for Honey & Crème Honeys, Barrel-Aged Honeys, even winning Grand Champion at the Heartland Apicultural Honey Competition. He has recently completed the Level 1 Honey Sommelier Workshop at the 2023 Hive Life Honey Conference. Frank has hosted over 100 Beekeeping sessions at Libraries, Community Colleges, Home School, High School AP classes, Social Clubs, Senior Communities, Women’s Clubs, VBS & even Cub Scout programs throughout Cook, McHenry and Lake Counties. Frank and his wife Cyndee run a very successful company, HoneywithStyle.com, featuring Handcrafted Gourmet Honeys, Honey Sauces, even Hot Honeys at numerous Farmers Markets & Craft Shows. He is in his 12th year of Beekeeping and was recently invited to the American Beekeeping Federation to speak.

Lisa McDonald is the founder and owner of TeaHaus, a premier tea destination located in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Inspired by the high-quality loose-leaf tea culture she experienced while living in Europe, Lisa identified a gap in the US market and established TeaHaus to bring that same standard of excellence stateside.

A trained tea sommelier, Lisa has dedicated her career to sourcing the finest teas globally through extensive research and industry training. Under her leadership, the brand has evolved significantly, expanding to include the culinary line "Eat More Tea" and undergoing a major renovation in 2022 to launch a Tea Bar and Lounge designed to foster community connection.

Lisa is also a respected authority in the industry and co-author of Tea For Dummies, a comprehensive, science-backed guide that makes the complex world of tea accessible to a wide audience. Her commitment to quality sourcing and education has established TeaHaus as a beloved institution in the Ann Arbor community.

A Lifelong Tea Drinker & Potter, combined his two passions to become the owner of Steep N’ Clay Tea House & Pottery Shop located in Elgin, IL. Tom has produced pottery for over 20+ years with his degrees in Ceramics. Tom Hill is passionate about sharing his knowledge with others, teaching and mentoring at some studios such as Lillstreet Art Center, Beverly Art Center, Pottery NW, Northwestern University and others around the country. Tom has previously worked in production pottery while in NY, after doing the daily grind of making the same pieces over and over again he had enough, vowing to produce “ cousins instead of identical twin,” pieces. His pottery reflects a deep connection to the earth, with each piece bearing the imprint of his hands and the spirit of the clay. His award winning pottery has been exhibited in galleries across the country, attracting collectors and enthusiasts alike. Steep N’ Clay was inducted into the Illinois Made Program. Illinois Made celebrates small businesses who help craft Illinois by hand, inspiring visitors and fellow Illinoisan to discover more about the state by experiencing firsthand the passion that make it thrive with its style & creativity setting our locally made goods apart.

Since 1989, Dan Robertson has been traveling throughout Asia. He is the founder of The Tea House, an importer, blender and purveyor of premium teas from around the world. He is also the organizer and leader of the acclaimed World Tea Tours, bringing tea-lovers of all levels, on tea adventures to the major tea producing regions of the globe. He is the Headmaster at the International Tea Training Center in the Riviera Maya, Mexico and Director of the International Tea Cuppers Club, a world-wide community of tea lovers of all levels who share a passion for learning about teas through tasting and sharing knowledge. A judge at international tea competitions, he frequently lectures around the world on a wide range of tea topics at trade shows and for private and industry groups. Dan is a regular contributor to various tea blogs and has been a Contributing Editor for TEA Magazine, Tea Journey and other periodicals. From basic to professional levels, he teaches a number of focused tea-related courses ranging from the Chinese Gongfu Tea Ceremony to in-depth tasting training on specific teas. He serves as a judge in international tea competitions and is the author of the DVD The Art of Tea - The Chinese Tea Ceremony and the groundbreaking large format photo-book The Cultures of Tea.

Mike Raab, business and marketing manager at Tea-For-All™, brings a wealth of expertise to the company founded by Deborah Raab in 2011. Certified as a Tea Specialist by the Tea Association of the U.S. through the Specialty Tea Institute, Mike, along with Debbie, has also been selected as Tea Mentors™ by STI, training professionals for Level I and Level II Certification classes. Committed to sharing his knowledge and passion for tea, Mike helps Tea-For-All provide high-quality loose tea leaves, unique brands, and tea discovery education, striving to develop every customer's tea palate.

Neldon Hamblin is a certified Chinese Tea Specialist, educator, and writer based in Northern Utah. With over a decade of experience, including five years in the tea industry, he makes Chinese tea traditions accessible through education, tastings, and historical context.

As the founder of Tea With Neldon, he focuses on Chinese dark teas, product evaluation, and investigative reporting. Neldon has collaborated with leading Chinese brands to support their Western market engagement while helping audiences understand traditional processing, aging, and quality standards.

Through hands-on workshops and guided tastings for all levels, Neldon emphasizes curiosity and transparency, encouraging participants to trust their senses and build confidence in their tea preferences.

Zidan Shrestha is the Business Development Manager at Nepal Tea Collective, where he leads wholesale sales and oversees operations. After a fews years in the tech industry, he transitioned into the tea sector to help promote products from his home country through a tech-enabled, transparent tea trade that bridges the gap between primary producers and consumers. His work focuses on improving transparency and traceability in the tea industry while building meaningful connections between farmers, brands, and buyers.

Jennifer Nowicki is a certified tea specialist and founder of Cultivate Taste Tea, a Wisconsin-based company focused on pure, single-origin loose-leaf teas. With decades of experience in the tea and specialty food industries, Jennifer emphasizes terroir, craftsmanship, and thoughtful pairings, elevating tea to the same level of respect often given to wine. She is renowned for creating tea experiences that are elegant, accessible, and rooted in tradition and flavor.