GBA upcoming events

2026 GBA Fall Excursion: Blue Ridge & Beyond (10 Sep 2026)

Thu, 10 Sep 2026 04:00:00 GMT

2026 GBA Fall ExCURSION: Blue Ridge & Beyond

Date: Thursday, September 10, 2026

Departure: 11:30 AM from Ramsey Conference Center

Kick off the 2026 GBA Fall Conference with an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at North Georgia’s premier honey production and agricultural landmarks! This curated bus tour is designed for beekeepers who want to combine professional learning with mountain scenery and local flavors.

The Itinerary

11:50 AM | Jaemor Farms: Our first stop is the iconic Jaemor Farms. We’ll enjoy a guided tour and shopping at the market.
Lunch on the Go: While at Jaemor, you can choose to enjoy their Eatery. They serve up delicious, fully prepared meals, snacks, and sweet treats you can enjoy on site or take to go. Like their produce, everything from the eatery is made on-site, packed with flavor, and crafted with quality in mind.
2:10 PM | Blue Ridge Honey Company: We’ll head deeper into the mountains to visit Bob Binnie at Blue Ridge Honey Company. This is a rare opportunity to see one of the region's most respected commercial operations in action and talk shop with a master of the craft.
4:30 PM | Return: We’ll arrive back at the Ramsey Conference Center with plenty of time to freshen up before the evening's festivities.

Registration Details

Seating: Limited to 36 passengers. Kelly Tours will provide clean, comfortable coaches and experienced drivers to ensure every mile is smooth, safe, and on schedule.
Cost: $45/person. Registration includes round-trip transportation and your tours at Jaemor Farms and Blue Ridge Honey Company.
Deadline: Seats are filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Don't wait—this tour is expected to sell out quickly!

Note: Please wear comfortable walking shoes and bring your curiosity. Whether you’re looking to scale your own apiary or just enjoy a day in the Blue Ridge foothills, this trip offers the best of Georgia beekeeping.

Refund policy: If you cancel by September 5th, you may receive a refund of your registration fee.

2026 GBA Fall Conference and UGA Beekeeper Certification Testing (11 Sep 2026)

Fri, 11 Sep 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Experience the buzz at the Georgia Beekeepers Association Conference! This can't-miss event features an impressive lineup of experts who will share cutting-edge research and practical wisdom to elevate your beekeeping skills. Browse diverse vendor offerings, connect with fellow bee enthusiasts from across the region, and don't miss Friday's special dinner featuring Hilary Kearney's entertaining talk, followed by awards and Master Beekeeper program testing results. Whether you're a seasoned apiarist or just beginning your journey with bees, this knowledge-packed conference promises to inspire, educate, and energize your beekeeping practice!

Registration looks a little different this year. You will register for the Friday night dinner on a separate form after you register for the conference. The link will be in your registration email. Also, in order for the committee to be able to properly plan to accommodate as many people as possible (and avoid what happened last year when we sold out) we will CLOSE REGISTRATION ON SEPTEMBER 5. There will be no late or walk-in registration.

Conference Details:

Dates: September 11-12, 2026
Location: Ramsey Conference Center, 2535 Lanier Tech Dr, Gainesville, Georgia 30507
Click here to view the conference program, and here to view the honey show rules.
Pre-Conference Events (September 10):
- UGA Master Beekeeper program testing (Certified, Journeyman, Master, Master Crafts) Read more about the UGA testing here. To participate in UGA testing you must register to attend the GBA Fall Conference and select the testing level as an add-on.
- Blue Ridge and Beyond: A Thursday afternoon excursion to Jaemor Farms and Blue Ridge Honey Company

Keynote Speakers:

Jamie Ellis

Meghan Milbrath

Hilary Kearney

Lewis Bartlett

Mike Evans

For members who do bee removals, Mike Evans' talk on Friday will count as a continuing education credit for license renewal.
The website ad auction will happen on Friday, September 11.
On Saturday, September 12, the day begins with the Club President’s Breakfast at 7:30 AM (only for current local club presidents). The GBA Annual Business Meeting is at 9:15. The day closes at 5:00.
To participate in testing, you must register to attend the GBA Fall Conference and select the testing level as an add-on.

Fee Schedule:

You will have to pay online, there will be no payment accepted at the door.

Registration for the weekend is $95 for members and $150 for nonmembers. If you're not a GBA member, join now to get the discounted rate.
Friday night dinner, $25 (Separate Registration)
One-day, Friday or Saturday registration fee is $65 for members, $80 for non-members.

Testing Program fees (fee includes lunch on Thursday):

Certified: $90
Journeyman, Master, Master Crafts: $100

Refund policy: If you cancel by September 5, you may receive either a refund of your registration fee if you ask the treasurer, otherwise you will recieve a credit on your account. No refunds will be issued after September 5.

2026 Fall Conference Sponsor Registration (11 Sep 2026)

Fri, 11 Sep 2026 04:00:00 GMT

This is the registration form for those who wish to be conference sponsors and also be a vendor. To register as a vendor without a sponsorship, go here.

We have new sponsorship levels and guidelines this year. Click here to read them.

Thank you for your interest in supporting us as a sponsor at the GBA Fall Conference in Gainesville, Georgia this September. Hundreds of beekeepers will be in attendance and will be grateful for the opportunity to get to know your products. You should know that the majority of our attendees are hobby beekeepers and sideliners, but ours is not a large commercial beekeeper conference.

Set up is Thursday, September 10 beginning at 1:00. While folks will be there for testing on the 10th, the conference proper starts Friday morning, September 11th and runs until Saturday afternoon at 5:00pm on September 12th.

If you have any questions about sponsorship or vendor participation, please contact Julia Mahood at President@gabeekeeping.com.

This registration page is only for sponsors at the GBA Fall Conference, not for conference attendees.

2026 Fall Conference Vendor Registration (11 Sep 2026)

Fri, 11 Sep 2026 04:00:00 GMT

This is the registration form for those who wish to be vendors only, not those who also wish to sponsor. If you wish to be a sponsor as well as a vendor, go to this link.

Vendor set up is Thursday, September 10 beginning at 1:00. While folks will be there for testing on the 10th, the conference proper starts Friday morning, September 11th and runs until Saturday afternoon at 5:00pm on September 12th.

If you have any questions about sponsorship or vendor participation, please contact Julia Mahood at President@gabeekeeping.com.

This registration page is only for vendors at the GBA Fall Conference, not for conference attendees.

2026 GBA Fall Dinner Tickets (11 Sep 2026)

Fri, 11 Sep 2026 04:00:00 GMT

A Night of Community, Conversation, and Insight

Join us for the highlight of our annual gathering—the Georgia Beekeepers Association Fall Conference Dinner. On Friday night, September 11, 2026, we’ll trade our veils for dinner plates to celebrate another year of stewardship and beekeeping excellence. Beyond the camaraderie and a delicious meal, we will enjoy a talk by Hilary Kearney. After the talk, awards will be presented and those who passed certification levels will be announced.

Whether you're a commercial pro or a backyard hobbyist, this evening offers the perfect blend of professional inspiration and local community. Tickets are just $25 per person, so pull up a chair and join the buzz!

Refund policy: If you cancel by August 31, you may receive a refund of your registration fee. No refunds will be issued after September 1.