SCBA Summer Conference

Ready, Set, Grow!

July 21-23, 2022 – Columbia, SC

Presented By:

Our conference will focus on growing the apiculture industry in South Carolina with these main topics:

  • Making Colony Increases

  • Starting/Developing a Bee Business

  • Managing Honey bee Diseases & Pests

  • Marketing/Community Engagement.

Keynote Speakers

Dr. Lewis Bartlett

Assistant Research Scientist 

Department of Entomology and Center for the Ecology of Infectious Diseases

College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences and Odum School of Ecology

University of Georgia

Dr.  Lewis Bartlett is an entomologist and infectious disease biologist who specializes in ecology and evolutionary biology in honey bees at the University of Georgia. His research spans epidemiological modelling of honey bee diseases, field studies on the intersection of pesticides and parasites in honey bees, and novel control for problems like Varroa and small hive beetles. Lewis started beekeeping over ten years ago in his homeland of Yorkshire, England. He has since worked, and kept bees, in multiple cities across the UK and USA including California and Georgia. Lewis teaches both academic biology and extension apiculture with a strong emphasis on simple take-home messages emerging from nuanced scientific understanding. 

Dr. Frank Rinkevich

Dr. Frank D. Rinkevich is a Research Entomologist at the USDA-ARS Honey Bee Breeding, Genetics, and Physiology Laboratory in Baton Rouge LA. Frank has extensive training in insect toxicology, biochemistry, molecular biology, and genetics. The goal of Dr. Frank’s research is to provide a basic understanding of pesticide toxicology that is relevant to field conditions in the commercial beekeeping industry. Current research interests in Dr. Rinkevich’s lab include evaluating the effects of pesticide exposure on colony survivorship in commercial beekeeping operations, assessing the capacity and dynamics of metabolic detoxification of insecticides, understanding the genetic, behavioral, and social factors that affect insecticide sensitivity, determining the breadth, depth, and mechanisms of amitraz resistance in Varroa, establishing the effects of fungicides on colony health, and evaluating the performance of honey bee stocks selected for low Varroa populations in commercial beekeeping conditions.

 

  • Expert Team from the SC Center for Cooperative Enterprise Development, Clemson University

This team will be featured in a break-out track on Friday where they will share tools and resources available to help you start or develop your agricultural business.

Conference Information

Youth Program

  • Introducing the Importance of Bees and Beekeeping for Ages 7-12 and 13-17

  • Thursday Afternoon beginning at 1pm – $5/child; Each child must be accompanied by a parent at no additional charge; Maximum Family $25  (Registration is independent of conference registration)

Introduction to Beekeeping

  • An overview of beekeeping. Sessions are geared for adults thinking about becoming a beekeeper

  • Thursday afternoon beginning at 1pm – $20/person (Registration is independent of conference registration)

Online Registration is closed.

Registration Information

SCBA Member Rate

  • Full 3 days  $140

  • Daily Rate $60

  • Member Add Ons:

    •  SC Welsh Honey Judging Academy – $85

Complete Academy Information located HERE

    • Master Beekeeper Program Testing

Review Sessions for each level: Certified, Journeyman, and Master will be offered in the morning with testing offered in the afternoon on Thursday, July 21.

Testing Registration Includes:  Your selected MBP Level Test

Optional Testing Add On Prices:

      • Certified Level Written – $10

      • Journeyman Level Written/Practical – $35

        • Must submit 5 Public Service Credits and 2 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  mailto:MBP@scstatebeekeepers.com

 DEADLINE TO REGISTER FOR TESTING:  June 30th

 

Non-SCBA Member Rate

  • Full 3 days $150

  • Daily Rate $70

Online Registration is closed.

Venue

Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center

1101 Lincoln St
Columbia, SC 29201

Click Here to View a Layout of the Venue. Our conference will be held on the lower level.

Hotel Information

The SC Beekeepers Association has secured a limited number of discounted room rates with the hotels listed below for the 2022 SCBA Summer Conference being held at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center July 21-23, 2022. Select your hotel from the list below and secure your reservations by clicking the booking link or calling in. Make reservations early because rooms are based upon availability and they will go fast.

Hampton Inn Downtown Columbia Historic District 

Rate: $139.00

(rate includes hot breakfast & Wi-Fi)                                   

Self-parking is $14.00 per day                                 

822 Gervais St., Columbia, SC 29201

Call: 803 231 2000 and use Group Code: SC Beekeepers Association Attendees            

Book online: https://www.hilton.com/en/attend-my-event/caedthx-bee-d65c8e7c-a516-4039-890e-769030d0caa2/

Reservations cut off: Tuesday, June 21, 2022

Located next door to the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center and is recommended for our Vendors.

Hyatt Place Columbia Downtown/Vista

Rate: $134.00                                             

(rate includes hot breakfast & Wi-Fi)                   

Self-parking is $14.00 per day      

819 Gervais St., Columbia SC 29201

Book online: SC Beekeepers Association Booking Link

Or call 1-888-492-8847 and use Group Code: G-BEEK

Reservations Cut off: Friday June 17, 2022

Located 2 blocks from the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center

Conference Schedule

Thinking About Being a Sponsor?

We have several levels of sponsorship to meet most every budget and would love to have you join us. Sponsorship includes:

  • Conference Badges with Full Access to Conference Program (See Sponsorship Levels for More Details)

  • Up to 2 booths with up to 2 tables per booth as needed (See Sponsorship Levels for More Details)

Thinking About Being a Vendor?

Being a Vendor Includes:

  • One Conference Badge with Full Access to Conference Program with the option to purchase 1 additional badge for $75

  • Options include one table in either a Full Booth (8’x10′) or Half Booth (8’x5′)

We Accept Donations Too!
Become a Honey of a Friend!

Consider establishing or contributing to a research endowment that will ensure a long term institutional commitment to beekeeping and South Carolina farmers. Your generosity will help ensure the fruits and vegetables of South Carolina summer are enjoyed by our children and grandchildren for years and years to come.

Questions? Contact Us!