Ramsey Conference Center 2535 Lanier Tech Dr, Gainesville, GA 30507
We welcome beekeepers to the GBA fall meeting!
This conference is our 2nd annual hosting of the University of Georgia Bee Lab's Master Beekeeping Program testing and Honey Judge Training, which will take place on Thursday, September 19. The conference proper will start on Friday September 20 and Saturday September 21.
Our stellar guest speakers include Bob Binnie, Dr. Robyn Underwood, Dr. Lewis Bartlett, Greg Rogers and Dr. David Peck. They will cover topics both practical and research-oriented.
Expanding our knowledge with the help of nationally recognized speakers is a marvelous opportunity for us at GBA. We are also fortunate to have a very strong lineup of breakout session speakers that will cover topics for beginners and seasoned beekeepers alike. On Friday's breakout sessions we are offering special beeswax votive making workshops that require pre-registration and an additional materials fee. Click here to register for one of those sessions.
Check out the program here.
For members who do bee removals, the team from the Department of Ag Structural Pest Control Division will be conducting special breakouts for you on Saturday. Additionally, Dr. Bartlett's talk on Saturday will count as a continuing education credit for your license renewal.
The UGA Certified, Journeyman and Master Beekeeper testing will be on Thursday September 19 in Governor Deal’s Economic Development Bldg. next to the Ramsey Conference Center. The Honey Judge training begins on Thursday and continues on Friday. To participate in testing you must register to attend the GBA Fall Conference and select the testing level as an add-on. Read more about the UGA testing here.
The GBA Board of Directors meets at 4:30 PM on Thursday, September 19 in the Lyman Hall Breakout room of the Ramsey Conference Center
Conference programming begins on Friday September 20 at 9:00 AM.
Friday Evening's program, beginning at 5:00 PM, features a talk by Virginia Webb, the presentation of awards, and announcement of the new Journeyman and Master Beekeepers. There is an additional fee for the dinner and pre-registration is required.
On Saturday September 21, the day begins with the Club President’s Breakfast 7:45 AM, (only for current local club presidents). The conference begins with the GBA Annual Business Meeting at 9:00. The day closes at 5:00.
Fee Schedule:
In an effort to simplify the registration process we now prefer online payment. If you have not paid within 15 minutes of registering online, your registration will automatically cancel. Please have your payment information ready before registering for this event.
UGA Testing Program fees (include lunch on Thursday):
Hotel group rates are available at the following locations in Gainesville (click to make reservations):
HIlton Garden Inn Gainesville
Marriott TownePlace Gainesville
One of the features of the GBA Fall Conference is the fall honey show. To see the categories and rules for the honey show, click here. This year the honey show features combined categories from the traditional Fall Honey and Beeswax show as well as the Artisan show. The honey show is only open to current dues paid members of GBA who attend the conference. Please check your membership status before you arrive to expedite your honey show entries.
If you'd like to join us as a new member, click here. Once you have joined the organization, you can come back here and register for the conference at the member rate! As a nonmember registrant, you cannot enter the honey show, but if you join now, you can also enter the fall honey show.
If you are already a member and want to pay your dues for the next year as many of us like to do with the fall meeting registration, visit your member profile page when you have completed your registration and renew your membership. If you don't do that at this time, you will be sent a membership renewal reminder at the end of your membership year.
The officer election is held at the fall meeting. Members must have their dues paid up to date to vote in the election. If you are not sure when your dues should be paid, check on your personal profile page.
Refund policy: If you cancel by September 14, you may receive a refund of your registration fee. No refunds will be issued after September 14.
Thank you for your interest in participating as a vendor or sponsor at the GBA Fall Conference in Gainesville, Georgia on September 20-21, 2024. Hundreds of beekeepers will be in attendance and will be grateful for the opportunity to get to know your products.
If you have any questions about sponsorship or vendor participation, please contact Katie Goodman at Northeastdirector@gabeekeeping.com.
Friday, September 20 breakout sessions A and B:
Beeswax Luminary Bowl Making Workshop with Master Beekeeper Deb Dewitt ~ Limited to 25 participants per session, $20 materials fee per person
Be advised that there is a $20.00 fee to attend and the seating is limited to 25 people per session.
Conference registration is required for this special session. Please be sure to complete conference registration first.
Plan to join us at our GBA Fall Conference 2025 in Gainesville, Georgia!
The conference will take place at Ramsey Conference Center 2535 Lanier Tech Dr, Gainesville, GA 30507.
The GBA Fall Meeting is full of educational opportunities with great speakers, fun times making beekeeping connections, and an informative dinner.
The meeting starts on Thursday evening, September 18th, with the GBA Board meeting. Friday night there will be a special dinner event for all registrants who sign up to attend for additional cost.
The general fall meeting will take place all day on Friday, September 19th, beginning with the local club Presidents Breakfast and end Saturday, September 20th.
The UGA Certified, Journeyman and Master Beekeeper testing will be on Thursday September 18 in Governor Deal’s Economic Development Bldg. next to the Ramsey Conference Center. The Welsh Honey Judge training begins on Thursday and continues on Friday. To participate in testing you must register to attend the GBA Fall Conference and select the testing level as an add-on. Read more about the UGA testing here.
We are looking forward to a great meeting and to seeing all of you there!
Georgia Beekeepers Association
is a 501(c)5 non-profit organization
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