(updated 2/17/12)
The 2012 MBA Spring Conference is closer than you think and it is time to start planning to attend!
As usual, the conference will be held at the Kellogg Center on the Michigan State University campus during ANR week on Friday, March 9, 2012 and Saturday, March 10.
The featured speaker will be Dr. Jim Tew. Dr. Tew is widely published in both the technical journals and in the beekeeping magazines. His presentations should prove to be interesting.
There will be break-out sessions on both days covering a wide range of topics that should be of interest for both the beginner and advanced beekeeper alike. And, of course, the ever-popular vendor area will be back so that you can see all of the latest beekeeping equipment in one place.
Pre-registration is available on-line and we encourage all attendees to do so. When you pre-register, your conference material will be available for immediate pick-up… no waiting in line. And, you get a discount too!
Before you pre-register, please note that in order to get the MBA member discount you must be a current member of the MBA. The 2011 memberships expired on December 31, 2011. So you may need to renew your membership for 2012. If in doubt, you can check your membership status by clicking here.
To pre-register on-line, click here.
Registration Fees:
Pre-Registered
MBA Member, 2-Day: $20.00
MBA Member, 1-Day: $10.00
MBA Guest/Spouse: $10.00
Non-Member, 2-Day: $40.00
Non-Member, 1-Day: $20.00
Non-Member Spouse/Guest: $15.00
Paid At-the-Door
MBA Member, 2-Day: $25.00
MBA Member, 1-Day: $15.00
MBA Member Spouse/Guest: $15.00
Non-Member, 2-Day: $45.00
Non-Member, 1-Day: $25.00
Non-Member Spouse/Guest: $20.00
Lodging:
MBA has reserved a block of rooms at the Kellogg Center which are available on a first-come-first-served basis. Normal rates at the Kellogg Center range from $125 to $162 per night. Mention that you are with the MBA conference and the room is available for $86 per night (single or double). Plus applicable fees, state and local taxes.
If you are planning to stay at the Kellogg Center, then we suggest that you make your reservations early.
Meals:
Meals can be obtained at the Kellogg Center’s State Room, but early reservations are recommended. Also, the Brody Complex Cafeteria is available directly across the street from the Kellogg Center. The cafeteria is definitely not what you remember it to be back in the days you were attending college. Reliable reports have this cafeteria to be very reasonably priced, with very good food and it is certainly convenient.
Schedule of Events:
New this year, we will be organizing the classes and break-out sessions along “tracks”. For example, there will be a track specifically oriented toward beginning beekeepers and another targeted at the intermediate and advanced beekeepers. The content of most tracks will be repeated on both days (particularly the beginner’s track), as well as some other classes scheduled as resources permit.
Click here for a list of classes.
Click here for a schedule of events.
The schedule will be posted on this page shortly. Please check back to get more information.
Vendors:
Vendors will be located in the Lincoln room. The vendors are always a very popular event. You can see what’s new in beekeeping and purchase equipment and supplies for the upcoming season. Most vendors will bring items to the conference for sale and some are accepting pre-conference orders (you save on shipping!). Please support our vendors, as they help make the spring conference possible.
As of this posting, vendors currently committed to attend are…
Turtlebee Farms
Steller Apiaries
Blackmore-Rowe Insurance
Buggsnest
Dadant
Inkinbloom
Joyce Huang
Mitezapper
Cutler’s Supply
Don Schram
Don Lam
Wracan and Son Honey
AWS Bees
S&Bee Honey Containers
Silent Auction
As before, there will be a silent auction to raise funds for the MBA. Items will be on display outside the Lincoln (vendor) Room. If you have an item(s) that you wish to donate, then please contact Dean or Lois Cross at 517-694-9619. Bid early, bid often, bid high!
Volunteers
Putting on the conference is a lot of work and we can always use volunteers to help us along. We can use help with a short setup on Thursday evening, handing out material in the classes and general session, assistance with at-the-door registration and post-conference evaluation. Even if you only have a short time available, any help is greatly appreciated. Contact Steve Tilmann, MBA Treasurer.
