Keynote Speakers | Honey Show | Vendor Directory | Registration Information | Venue Location | Hotel | Schedule
BECOME A SPONSOR | BECOME A VENDOR | BECOME A VOLUNTEER (link coming soon!)
Presented By:
Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center
1101 Lincoln St, Columbia, SC 29201
MBP Sponsored Sessions open for ALL!
LIVE Bee Yard ~ Honey Show ~ Speakers
50th Anniversary Celebration! ~ Door Prizes!!
General Public Welcome ~ Kids Program!
CLICK LOGOS TO LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR SPONSORS!
Community Sponsors
Corporate Sponsors
The PAST, THE Present and The Future: 50 years of beekeeping in south carolina
As we celebrate 50 years of Beekeeping in South Carolina,
we will focus on:
the PAST ~ looking back with gratitude, to see how far we have come,
the PRESENT ~ celebrating our growth and accomplishments,
recognizing our challenges,
the FUTURE ~ empowering the next generation to work together
to meet the demands of modern-day beekeeping.
Keynote Speakers
Sponsored By:
Bob Binnie
Blue Ridge Honey Company, Lakemont, Georgia
You Tube Celebrity
Bob Binnie began beekeeping in 1981 before the arrival of the dreaded pests of the present. He has managed bees for pollination, honey production, and queen rearing, but his passion in recent years is education. Bob is well-known as a YouTube celebrity and authority with his commonsense approach to sharing his beekeeping experience.
Bob Binnie, along with his wife Suzette, owns Blue Ridge Honey Co. in Lakemont, Georgia, operating 2000 colonies along with a sizable honey packing operation. Voted “Beekeeper Of The Year” by the Georgia Beekeepers Association in 2003 Bob has been involved in commercial beekeeping for nearly four decades. Blue Ridge Honey Co. offers wholesale & retail honey, pollen, and beeswax products, as well as produces bees and queens for sale.
Contact his store at 706 782 6722 or Bob at bobbinnie19@gmail.com. Also check out his website at www.blueridgehoneycompany.com https://www.youtube.com/@bobbinnie9872/videos
Sponsored By:
Jeff Horchoff – “Mr. Ed“
Abbey Honey Operation
YouTube Celebrity
Jeff began his journey with bees in 1978. Over the course of the next 25 years, he experienced the ebb and flow of having bees and not having bees. Then in 2004, he started attending a bee club and his perspective changed. He became overwhelmed with what he didn’t know. Fortunately, a club member committed to mentor him and took the time to teach him about the science of bees especially splitting hives – that was a game changer! Soon after, Jeff retired from the post office and began volunteering at the Abbey nearby. In 2010, one of the monks approached him, asking if he would teach him how to keep bees, so they went to work establishing 3 colonies at the Abbey. Three months later that monk decided to leave the Abbey and leave the bees fully in Jeff’s care. Jeff continued to build the bee program until a flood destroyed them in 2016. In an interview with Cheri Elam of The Bee Supply, Jeff tells how he chose to press on and continue with bees in spite of the setbacks. Now he manages over 150 hives for the Abbey Honey Operation in a number of out yards within a 15-mile radius of the Abbey. Come hear Jeff’s encouraging story of how he became an influential beekeeping educator as “Mr. Ed” and learn from his perseverance in beekeeping.
Sponsored By:
Dr. David Tarpy
NC State University
Professor & Extension Apiculturist
David Tarpy is a Professor of Applied Ecology and the Extension Apiculturist at NC State. His research interests focus on the biology and behavior of honey bee queens—using techniques including field manipulations, behavioral observation, instrumental insemination, and molecular genetics—in order to better improve the overall health of queens and their colonies.
Break-Out Session Speakers
CLICK HERE to View Break-Out Session Speakers (Coming Soon!)
Conference Information
Half a century!! The South Carolina Beekeepers Association has come of age. This summer our conference will look back at how much we’ve accomplished in the last Fifty years; we’ll see how beekeeping in South Carolina is performing today; and look ahead to challenges and innovations for both us and our bees in the future. Our conference speakers will review the SCBA growth: hundreds of members and numerous clubs working together with goals of sustainable beekeeping. The current recognized best practices for both the new and experienced beekeepers will be demonstrated for inspecting and evaluating colonies. Our speakers will highlight breakthroughs in research for pests, diseases, and treatments. Numerous vendors will demonstrate and have available the latest equipment. Breakout sessions will be offered each afternoon. Thursday will feature our Master Beekeeper Program Review sessions and testing. We encourage you to wear your MBP Level hat or shirt on Thursday. If you don’t have one, you have time to order one from our store. Clubs may compete for the Club Spirit Award. Points are accumulated by club member conference attendance, volunteering, and participation in conference activities like the Honey Show. Encourage your club members to show their club spirit by wearing their club shirts on Friday and join the fun. I hope to see you all in Columbia!
~ Jim Strohm SCBA President
Conference Schedule
Click Each Day Below to Access the Program Schedule
DRAFT SCHEDULE COMING SOON!
THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY
Engaging Unique Opportunities
Master Beekeeper Program Sponsored Classes – Thursday
Three tracks of classes corresponding to the 3 major levels of the SC Master Beekeeper Program will be offered Thursday morning. EVERYONE is invited to attend these classes. The sessions are structured to help beekeepers prepare for certification, but those not seeking certification are certainly welcome.
Master Beekeeper Program Testing – Thursday
The SC Master Beekeeper Program will offer the Certified Level Written, the Journeyman Level Written and Written Practical portion, and the Master Level Written, Oral, and Field exams. Prerequisites apply per the MBP Manual. Advanced registration required by June 30th.
Honey Judging Academy – Thursday
The American Honey Show Training Council will be holding an Introductory Honey Judge Training Class, on Thursday, July 17th, at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center in Colombia, SC. Honey Judging is a fascinating, detail-oriented pursuit. If you like to learn, if you like to teach, if you like to see the coolest stuff before anyone else does, honey judging might be right for you! This program is perfect for honey enthusiasts looking to enhance their knowledge and skills. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced beekeeper, our comprehensive program is appropriate for any level of beekeeping experience!
Registration for this training and/or certification testing is made separately at this link: Honey Judging Registration.
Note: This registration is in addition to your conference registration and is made separately at the link above. Participants are encouraged to join the conference on Friday and/or Saturday by taking advantage of the daily conference rate.
Live Bee Yard – Thursday, Friday, Saturday
Work bees with experienced beekeepers as they demonstrate how to read frames, perform a mite wash, apply mite treatments, complete an inspection for a practical exam, and more! Bee Veils will be required to participate in bee yard activities. Please bring your veil or bee suit!
Vendor Fair & Demonstrations – Thursday, Friday, Saturday
Vendors from all across the nation will display and demonstrate their products. Many are offering discounts and specials to provide you with the best value in beekeeping equipment and supplies. Our Vendor Fair provides an opportunity for you to see, touch, feel, and ask the experts about items you’ve only seen in magazines and catalogs.
50th Anniversary Celebration – Friday
Everyone registered by June 30th is invited to participate in our 50th Anniversary Celebration on Friday of the conference. Fun! Food!! and Give-Aways!!
Special Track for the NON-Beekeeping General Public – Saturday
This track is structured for the non-beekeeper and recommended for those thinking of starting beekeeping or those curious of how they can support our pollinators. Youth ages 12-18 are encouraged to attend. This track is included with either a Daily: Saturday or Full Conference registration. Daily registrants are not limited to this track but are welcome to select sessions from the various program tracks and enjoy our Vendor Fair and Honey Show exhibits.
Kids Program – Saturday
Beekeeping students from the SC Governor’s School for Agriculture under the direction of the school’s Apiculture Specialist, Susan Jones, will provide a 2-hour program for children 7-11 years old. Children are admitted with Saturday only registration with an accompanying paid adult. Activities will include instruction in the importance of our pollinators, beekeeping tools and protective equipment, craft, and experience a bee colony with Clemson Apiculturist Ben Powell at the conference apiary by viewing behind the large glass viewing area. Pre-Registration Required.
Successful Bee Clubs of the Future – Saturday
The South Carolina Beekeepers Association (SCBA) is gathering input from beekeepers across the state to better understand what makes local bee clubs successful—and where they may need more support. Your feedback will help guide a special breakout session at the SCBA Conference and contribute to the development of a Club Toolkit designed to strengthen and support bee clubs statewide. Whether your club is thriving, struggling, or somewhere in between, we want to hear from you—even if you’re not attending the conference or the breakout session on the Future of Bee Clubs. Thank you for helping us build a stronger beekeeping community!
CLICK HERE TO COMPLETE THE SURVEY
Honey Show
Enter your HONEY and Bees wax products in our state-wide Honey Show!
View Show Categories and Entry Information by clicking HERE.
View Show Entry Form by clicking HERE.
View FAQs HERE.
Every Exhibitor is eligible to compete for the $100 Grand Prize Award AND the $100 Best in Show Award!
We kindly request that you register by June 30th and indicate the number of entries that you expect to enter so that we may adequately plan for show officials. Thank you!
SCBA Membership and Conference attendance required.
Conference Sponsor / Vendor Directory
The following Vendors have committed to attend our 2025 Summer Conference. Click on the Vendor to go to their website.
Apimaye – Conference Badge Sponsor. $25 off 10 Frame Single Hive Sets & Apimaye Wood Hive Upgrade Kit. $20 off 7 Frame Nice Hive Set. $10 off all 7 Frame & 10 Frame Deeps/Mediums Supers, Bottom Boards and our 10 Frame Dual Feeder.
Bee Club Sales – 20% Off 3-layer mesh open face beekeeping suits & jackets.
Blackwater Beekeepers Association – Keynote Sponsor.
Blue Ridge Honey Company – Conference Sponsor. 10% off AND Free Delivery to the Conference using code (TBD).
Charleston Community Bee Gardens – Conference Sponsor.
Johnsons Bees and Supplies – Keynote & Badge Sponsor. FREE DELIVERY of pre-orders to conference!
Lancaster County Beekeepers Association – Honey Show Sponsor.
Midnight Bee Supply – Conference Badge Sponsor. FREE DELIVERY of pre-orders to conference!
Millerbees Mfg – N/A
OxaVap – All OA Vaporizers will have conference only specials.
Pigeon Mountain Trading Company – Youth Education Grant Sponsor. 15% off all pre-orders. FREE DELIVERY to conference.
South Carolina Department of Agriculture – Conference Sponsor.
South Carolina Governer’s School for Agriculture – N/A
South Carolina Specialty Crop Growers Association – Conference Sponsor.
Shady Creek Bee Farm – Conference Sponsor.
Sumter Bee Company – Research Grant Sponsor. FREE DELIVERY of pre-orders to conference!.
The Bee Lady – Special conference pricing of $15 for the book “Honey Bees and Flowers Please”.
Rossman Apiaries – Headline Sponsor. FREE DELIVERY of pre-orders to conference!
Wicwas Press – Pickup bulk orders for your supply business or bee club. Bring books for Dr. Larry Connor to autograph!
Registration Information – Attendee Registration NOW OPEN!
Youth Rate
THREE full days of conference programming!
- $50 – for Youth ages 12-17 by June 30, 2025 SAVE by REGISTERING EARLY!
- $65 – for Youth ages 12-17 beginning July 1, 2025
- $ 5 – for Youth ages 7-11 for Saturday ONLY Kids Program – Pre Registration Required!
No Daily Rate is offered except for the Saturday ONLY Kids Program.
General conference programming is geared for adults and is typically not appropriate for children under 12.
All youth are to be accompanied and supervised by a parent. Thank you!
SCBA Member Rate
THREE full days of conference programming!
- $115 – by May 31, 2025 SAVE by REGISTERING EARLY!
- $125 – by June 30, 2025
- $140 – beginning July 1, 2025
Choose to attend by the day:
- $50 Daily Rate – by June 30, 2025
- $60 Daily Rate – beginning July 1, 2025
Current SCBA Membership is required to use the Conference Member Registration. Please log in to your SCBA Membership Profile PRIOR to clicking the registration button so that the system recognizes you as a member. Thank you!
Member Add On:
Master Beekeeper Program Testing
Optional Testing Registration Includes Your selected MBP Level Test:
- Certified Level Written – $10
- Journeyman Level Written/Practical – $35
- Must submit 5 Public Service Credits and 3 Minor Credits PRIOR to testing*
- Must submit beekeeping portfolio with original credit documentation on day of testing
- Master Level Written – $75
- Must submit all credits (10 PSC, 3 Major, 5 Minor) PRIOR to testing*
- Must submit beekeeping portfolio with original credit documentation on day of testing
- Master Practical and Oral exams will be scheduled during Summer Conference
*All credits should be submitted electronically PRIOR to testing.
Send Credits/Questions to MBP@scstatebeekeepers.com
DEADLINE TO REGISTER FOR TESTING: June 30th
Non-SCBA Member Rate
THREE full days of conference programming!
- $135 – by May 31, 2025 SAVE by REGISTERING EARLY!
- $140 – by June 30, 2025
- $150 – beginning July 1, 2025
Choose to attend by the day:
- $60 – Daily Rate by June 30, 2025
- $70 – Daily Rate beginning July 1, 2025
Venue
Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center
1101 Lincoln St, Columbia, SC 29201
Link: CMCC Directions and Parking
Complimentary Coffee Service will be offered each morning.
Restaurants are conveniently located throughout the downtown area within walking distance for lunch and evening meals.
The following 3 Boxed Lunch Options will be offered each day for $15 as an Add-On to your registration:
Fired Roasted Vegetables – Roasted Yellow Pepper Cream Cheese spread on a Garlic-Herb Wrap
Smoked Ham with Swiss Cheese – Leaf Lettuce and Dijonnaise on a French Ciabatta bun
Marinated Grilled Chicken – Chopped Tomatoes, Sliced Cucumbers, Thinly Sliced Onions, Feta Cheese and Fresh Parsley with a Cucumber Yogurt Sauce on Pita Bread
*All boxed lunches are served with an individual bag of Chips, Seasonal Whole Fruit, Cookie, Condiments and an 8oz Bottled Water.
**Please Note: DEADLINE TO REGISTER for BOXED LUNCHES is JUNE 30TH!
Please DO NOT contact the convention center for conference information. SCBA has leased the facilities for the conference and is solely handling the arrangements and programming. All questions may be submitted through the link at the bottom of this page.
Hotel Information
The SC Beekeepers Association has secured discounted rooms at the below hotels for the 2025 Summer Conference-50th Anniversary being held at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center July 17-20, 2025. There are a limited number of rooms available at each hotel at the rates listed, and rooms are available at a first come, first serve basis, and are based upon availability. We recommend making your reservation as early as possible to ensure availability.
Participating Hotels:
Courtyard by Marriott Columbia Downtown at USC
630 Assembly St., Columbia, SC 29201
Room Rate: $139.00
Book online link: Book your group rate for SC Beekeepers Association
Reservation deadline: June 19, 2025
0.6 miles to the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center
Hampton Inn Downtown Columbia Historic District
822 Gervais St., Columbia, SC 29201
Room Rate: $149.00
Book online link: Book Hampton Inn Downtown Historic District
Reservation deadline: June 16, 2025
Next door to the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center
Holiday Inn Express & Suites/Vista
901 Washington St., Columbia, SC 29201
Room Rate: $119.00
Book online: Book Holiday Inn Express & Suites
Reservation deadline: June 16, 2025
3 blocks to Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center
Interested in Becoming a Sponsor?
SCBA depends on our conference sponsors to off-set the cost of our conferences for our members and support our Youth Education and Research initiatives. We have several levels of sponsorship to meet most every budget and would love to have you join us in helping to provide quality education and programming for the beekeepers of South Carolina.
Anyone can sponsor – Businesses, Individuals, Clubs, or Organizations!
As a Sponsor, you will enjoy national advertising through our website and social media platforms as well as conference program and signage advertising. You may select to join us as a Sponsor only or as a Vendor with added sponsorship. Vendors may add sponsorship to their registration accessed separately by using the Vendor Registration Link below. If you choose to also be a vendor at our conference, your vendor placement will be prioritized based on your level of sponsorship. Sponsors with generous contributions will be provided top conference advertising and vendor placement if applicable. Those selecting just the Sponsor option should use the registration button in this section below.
A Full Conference Registration is included for those sponsoring at $250 or above. Businesses and Affiliated Clubs may choose to sponsor a conference activity and name one of their members to fill the complimentary registration. If you are unable to attend the conference, you may indicate that on the sponsorship form. Attendance is not required for sponsorship.
SCBA is a 501c3 non-profit charitable organization. All sponsorship donations are tax-deductible.
Thank you for supporting the mission of SCBA in South Carolina!
Interested in Becoming a Vendor?
Thank you for your interest in becoming a Vendor at the SCBA 2025 Summer Conference.
Vendor Fair booths will be located in the conference area Pre-Function space as well as a dedicated ballroom located adjacent to the breakout rooms. Booths are approximately 8′ x 10′ and will contain 1 – 6′ table with chair. Vendors selecting a booth will have the option to add a second booth at a discounted rate. A limited number of half booth spaces will be offered to accommodate vendors not requiring a large display area.
All vendor options include a conference badge(s) with admittance to the Friday afternoon 50th Anniversary Celebration. We have intentionally increased the number of booths for this conference in order to provide adequate space for both vendors and shoppers. Dedicated Vendor demonstration times have been built into the schedule to encourage shopping. Please indicate your willingness to fill one of the demonstration slots on your registration form and consider offering a discount or special to coordinate with your demonstration. We will publish your specials on our website to encourage pre-conference sales. Booth location assignments will be prioritized based on the date of registration and sponsorship level, if applicable.
Please contact Danny Cannon at advertising@scstatebeekeepers.com with any questions regarding becoming a vendor for this conference.