Tremains Art Deco Weekend’s International Ambassador

Tea Icon Announced as Tremains Art Deco Weekend’s International Ambassador

The founder of the world’s most recognised tea brand has been announced as the international ambassador of the Tremains Art Deco Weekend.

Art Deco Trust general manager Sally Jackson today announced that Merrill J. Fernando, the founder of Dilmah Tea is the first-ever international ambassador for the Tremains Art Deco Weekend to be held February 18-22.

Ms Jackson said the partnership with Dilmah Tea and Merrill J. Fernando will further raise the profile of the annual event to a wider international audience.

“Our focus has been to get more international exposure and visitors to Hawke’s Bay for the Tremains Art Deco Weekend and hosting Merrill is a significant element in achieving this goal.

“We already attract 40,000 people to the event, including many international visitors, but this takes us to an entire new level of international exposure,” she said.

Merrill J. Fernando and son Dilhan will host several events during the 27th annual Tremains Art Deco Weekend including two High teas and a tea mixology workshop.

“We are honoured to be asked to participate and can’t wait to see the splendour of Napier and its Art Deco celebrations.

“We have heard so much about how wonderful the event is and we look forward to sharing our love and passion of tea with many people over the weekend,” said Merrill.

To see a video announcement by Merrill J. Fernando visit http://youtu.be/CtnWAr131gw

Ms Jackson opportunistically made the approach to Merrill to become an international ambassador after the 2012 Art Deco Weekend. A friend had toured a Dilmah Tea plantation in Sri Lanka and returned with Merrill’s prized contact details.

“I sent off a cheeky email asking if he would be interested in visiting Napier for Tremains Art Deco Weekend and he replied saying how keen he was. He could see the natural synergies between the Art Deco era and Tea”.

Earlier this year Ms Jackson went to Auckland to meet Merrill, who was visiting New Zealand as part of a Dilmah High Tea promotion.

“I did a presentation and he liked the idea. It also helped that the event is run by a Not-For-Profit organisation and therefore any profits go back into the community”.

The partnership will further raise the profile of the Tremains Art Deco Weekend with Dilmah releasing two specially branded limited edition tin tea caddies containing Breakfast and Earl Grey teas.

Merrill J. Fernando will travel to Napier with his son Dilhan and a delegation of friends and business partners.

“Merrill says he hasn’t had a holiday for quite some time, so he’s looking forward to staying on in Hawke’s Bay for a few days after the event,” said Ms Jackson.

ENDS

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