Bee Symposium Clanton Alabama

[GSF]

Well this is come and gone by now. The Bee symposium was a tremendous success. It has been held in Auburn, Alabama for the last 19 years. They usually have around 400 to show up. Clanton is almost dead center of the state of Alabama making it a more convenient location. This was the first time they had it in Clanton. The auditorium seated 608, however, 720 showed up! Next year instead of it being just a Saturday event they will have it on Friday and Saturday. Saturday will be a repeat of Friday.

We were told that in Alabama backyard beekeepers were popping up everywhere and new associations are also registering with the state. Encouraging.

[Intheswamp]

Sent my $25 in for registration but didn't make the trip....just too tired after a week's work for the drive.  My mentor and his best friend made the trip (one a Master Beekeeper and both of them in their 80's).   My mentor has lupus, walks with a cane, but yet works 30-50 hives a year with a gator/trailer/crane setup but they left the meeting early due to the overcrowding and lack of seating.  I think they were both slightly disappointed in their first time experience in Clanton.   My mentor mentioned that they were talking about having a two-day event though I think it will be hard to do a "repeat" of the first day....vendor's supplies, door prizes, dynamics of the speakers, etc.,.  Hopefully it *will* work well and folks like my mentor will enjoy the meeting rather than it being an obstacle course.  Good to have such a good turn-out, though, as it can only mean good things for the bees. 

Butler and Crenshaw counties here in Alabama (along with some folks from Conecuh county) have recently established an association....LABA...Lower Alabama Beekeepers Association...seems our first meeting was back in October(?).  We have an upcoming meeting this weekend...Saturday, Feb 14, 1pm at Antioch East Baptist Church, 2303 County Road 61, just north of Greenville, Alabama.  Response has been good for the meetings with first time beekeepers along with experienced ones joining.  I would say that we've been averaging around 25 people so far.

Ed

[GSF]

Ed, tell them to advertise in the Bulletin Board under Farming or something close to it. I advertise ours in both the bb and the Mule Trader. Tons of response when we first started. I think we're around the 60 mark now, not sure though.

They were absolutely correct on the seating. The organizers admitted they were no way prepared for that many folks turning out. Normally this event drew around the 400 mark on the big years. I didn't know I was going to be able to make it until the afternoon before. Cost me extra at the door and no groceries. No problem I'm only 18 miles from home there and I knew of a great bbq spot
"Hickory Chip" about 6 miles north of there on 145.

[Intheswamp]

I'll mention the BB to them.  The president is my mentor and a good guy.  So far we've had 4 meetings including the original planning meeting.  Have jumped through the legal hoops and have non-profit status now.  I think moving slow to start with has been good as it lets us get established and a format for meetings and activities laid out...getting ready for more folks to join. :)

Seems a couple of years ago they had 450-500 in Auburn.  Those were some congested and (in my opinion) dangerous meetings...too many stairs, steps, people, etc.,...my mentor gave up on going to Auburn because of all of that.

I'll definitely keep the bbq spot in mind...worth the extra 6 mile drive, eh? ;)

Ed