Sessions IITC 2025 | India International Tea Convention

Venue: Hotel Reception

Delegate Check-in

3.00 PM

Check in at the hotel

Venue: Hotel Premises

Delegate Registration

3.00 PM – 4.00 PM

Complete the event registration and collect delegate welcome kits

Venue: Vembanad Foyer

The Golden Leaf India Awards: Southern Tea Competition Final Tasting

3.00 PM – 5.00 PM

A special feature of the convention, The Golden Leaf India Awards: Southern Tea Competition (TGLIA: STC 2025) Final Tasting, will spotlight South Indian teas, which have significantly enhanced their quality through innovation in field and factory practices.

Venue: Grand Hyatt Kochi Bolgatty Jetty

Snake Boat Experience

4.00 PM – 6.00 PM

Immerse in Kerala’s rich cultural heritage with a traditional snake boat ride along the scenic backwaters.

Venue: Vembanad Hall & Foyer

Cultural Programme (Keraleeyam) followed by Cocktails & Dinner

8.00 PM

Join us for an enchanting ‘Keraleeyam’ showcasing the vibrant traditions and artistry of Kerala. The evening will be followed by cocktails and a dinner, offering the perfect blend of culture and cuisine.

Venue: Vembanad Foyer

Speciality Tea Competition – First Round Tasting

8.00 AM – 9.00 AM

The most anticipated features of IITC 2025 - the Specialty Tea Competition - is designed to celebrate the diversity and craftsmanship of India’s finest teas. This curated tasting session will present a handpicked selection of specialty teas sourced from tea-growing regions across the country.

Venue: Vembanad Hall

Registration & Expo Inauguration

8.30 AM – 9.00 AM

Confirm your attendance at the registration desk.

Venue: Vembanad Hall

Inaugural Session

9.00 AM – 11.00 AM

Innovating the Tea Ecosystem for Tomorrow

Introduction & Welcome Address

Mr. K. Mathew Abraham, Convenor, IITC-2025 & President, UPASI

Address by

Dr. Govind Hariram, Director - R & D, Hindustan Unilever Ltd.
Mr. Sunil A. D’Souza, MD & CEO, Tata Consumer Products Ltd.
Mr. Sanjay Singal, CEO, Wagh Bakri Tea Group
Mr. Hemant Bangur, Chairman, Indian Tea Association & CCPA
Mr. Sanjay Shah, Immediate Past Chairman, Federation of All India Tea Traders Associations
Mr. C. Murugan, IAS, Deputy Chairman, Tea Board India

Address by Guest of Honour

Ms. Kesang Y. Sherpa, IRS, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Commerce & Industry
Mr. A.P.M. Mohammed Hanish, IAS, Principal Secretary, Industries Department, Govt. of Kerala

Address by Chief Guest

Mr. L. Satya Srinivas, IRS, Special Secretary, Ministry of Commerce & Industry and Chairman, Tea Board India

Vote of Thanks

Mr. Ajoy Thipiaiah, Vice President, UPASI

Venue: Vembanad Foyer

Speciality Tea Competition – Final Session

11.00 AM – 1.00 PM

The final tasting session of the Specialty Tea Competition to celebrate the diversity and craftsmanship of India’s finest teas.

Venue: Vembanad Hall

Session I: Tea and Global Market Dynamics

11.30 AM – 1.00 PM

Speakers

Mr. Dan Bolton Founder, Tea Journey Mag. & Tea Biz

Mr. James Suranga Perera Executive Director, ITC

Mr. Anil Cooke MD & CEO, Asia Siyaka Commodities (Pvt.) Ltd.

Mr. Mohit Agarwal Director, Asian Tea Group

Mr. Mohammed Heiza Director, MISR Vision for Solutions

Mr. George Omuga President, East African Tea Trade Association

Venue: Vembanad Hall

Session II: Reimagining Tea: Strengthening Synergies for Global Leadership

2.00 PM – 3.30 PM

Speakers

Mr. C Shreedharan Director, Woodbriar Group

Dr. Pradeep Uluwaduge Chairman, Browns Plantations

Mr. Rudra Chatterjee Managing Director, Luxmi Tea

Mr. George Omuga President, East African Tea Trade Association

Mr. Nadeem Ahmed Managing Director, Global Tea & Commodities Ltd.

Mr. James Grayland Partner, Wan Ling Tea House

Venue: Vembanad Hall

Session III: Global Tea Insights into Consumer Trends and Tastes

4.00 PM – 6.00 PM

Speakers

Mr. Kurush Bharucha Tea Industry Expert, Former LIPTONS

Mr. Yahya Beyad CEO, Britannia Tea Co. Ltd.

Dr. Sharon Hall UK Tea & Infusions Association

Ms. Shabnam Weber Tea and Herbal Association of Canada

Mr. Ramaz Chanturiya Director in General, Rusteacoffee Association

Mr. Sanjay Singal CEO, Wagh Bakri Tea Group

Venue: Vembanad Hall & Foyer

Musical Evening followed by Cocktails & Dinner

8.00 PM

Join us for a musical evening followed by cocktails and dinner.

Venue: Vembanad Hall

Session IV: Ideating Technologies - Invigorating Sustainable Pathways for the Future of Tea

9.00 AM – 11.00 AM

Speakers

Mr. Jagjeet Singh Kandal Country Director-India, IDH – “Regenagri”

Dr. Bhanu P. Jena George E. Palade University Professor & Distinguished Professor, Wayne State University – “New cutting-edge tools and technologies for genetic engineering of plants”

Dr. Wojciech Galinski Director, Nature Based Solutions, Global Carbon Council

Dr. Sharon Hall Chief Executive, UK Tea & Infusions Association – “Sustainability in Action: The Cool Farm Tool and Tea”

Ms. Shabnam Weber President, Tea and Herbal Association of Canada – “Sustainability in Action: The Cool Farm Tool and Tea”

Venue: Vembanad Hall

Session V: Future of Tea: Innovative Practices in Value Addition & Branding

11.30 AM – 1.00 PM

Speakers

Mr. Harish Bhat Director, Tata Group

Mr. Sebastian Michaelis Tata Consumer Products

Mr. Amuleek Singh Bijral CEO & Co-Founder, Chai Point

Mr. Sumit Patil Head – Beverages Business Development, HUL

Venue: Vembanad Hall

TGLIA: STC 2025 Winner Announcement & Award Distribution

1.00 PM – 1.15 PM

Venue: Vembanad Hall

Plenary Session

1.15 PM – 2.00 PM

The Plenary Session brings together distinguished speakers to share strategic insights and key collective reflections from the IITC 2025 sessions and set the stage for collaborative action.

Address by

Mr. K. Mathew Abraham, President, UPASI
Mr. Ajoy Thipaiah, Vice President, UPASI
Mr. Hemant Bangur, Chairman, Indian Tea Association & CCPA
Mr. C. Murugan, IAS, Deputy Chairman, Tea Board India

Address by Guest of Honour

Mr. L. Satya Srinivas, IRS, Special Secretary, Ministry of Commerce & Industry and Chairman, Tea Board

Address by Chief Guest

Mr. P Rajeev, Minister for Industries, Law and Coir, Govt. of Kerala

Vote of Thanks

Mr. R. Sanjith, Secretary General, UPASI

Programme Schedule

Programme Schedule

Venue: Hotel Reception

Delegate Check-in

Venue: Hotel Premises

Delegate Registration

Venue: Vembanad Foyer

The Golden Leaf India Awards: Southern Tea Competition Final Tasting

Venue: Grand Hyatt Kochi Bolgatty Jetty

Snake Boat Experience

Venue: Vembanad Hall & Foyer

Cultural Programme (Keraleeyam) followed by Cocktails & Dinner

Venue: Vembanad Foyer

Speciality Tea Competition – First Round Tasting

Venue: Vembanad Hall

Registration & Expo Inauguration

Venue: Vembanad Hall

Inaugural Session

Venue: Vembanad Foyer

Speciality Tea Competition – Final Session

Venue: Vembanad Hall

Session I: Tea and Global Market Dynamics

Venue: Vembanad Hall

Session II: Reimagining Tea: Strengthening Synergies for Global Leadership

Venue: Vembanad Hall

Session III: Global Tea Insights into Consumer Trends and Tastes

Venue: Vembanad Hall & Foyer

Musical Evening followed by Cocktails & Dinner

Venue: Vembanad Hall

Session IV: Ideating Technologies - Invigorating Sustainable Pathways for the Future of Tea

Venue: Vembanad Hall

Session V: Future of Tea: Innovative Practices in Value Addition & Branding

Venue: Vembanad Hall

TGLIA: STC 2025 Winner Announcement & Award Distribution

Venue: Vembanad Hall

Plenary Session