European Speciality Tea Association and Danish Tea Association to merge
The Danish Tea Association, which has been promoting speciality tea in Denmark through education and competitions for five years, is merging with the European Speciality Tea Association.
Over 50 members will have their membership transferred over to European Speciality Tea Association (ESTA) and they will then become the Danish chapter of ESTA. The Danish Tea Association (DTA) will cease to exist, however, David Veal, executive director of ESTA, said the association may give the DTA name some visibility for heritage purposes.
The purpose of an ESTA chapter is to provide a platform whereby local members can work together in their own community to network, hold events and competitions, education workshops and other activities whilst being an integral part of the larger European association and community and derive benefits from that too. Whilst members of chapters are members of ESTA, the chapters function with a degree of independence, and elect their own board every two years.
“We have been considering this move for some time but the fact that we have such a good reputation around the world, especially in Southeast Asia, has made us cautious about taking this important decision,” said Alexis Kaae, vice president and head of education for ESTA and chairperson of the Danish Tea Association. “However, we are totally confident that our good work of the past will continue in Denmark but within the wider community which is being grown by ESTA.”
David Veal, executive director of ESTA, added, “This is a good and positive move for both associations, members in Denmark will still have the opportunity to work in their local community to promote speciality tea, but they will also be able to network with the wider global speciality tea community in many ways.”
For more information or to join European Speciality Tea Association, visit: www.specialityteaeurope.com.