2025 Agenda

2025 ABC Conference & Trade Show Agenda

(DRAFT – Subject to change)

Monday, November 17, 2025 – Annual General Meeting
STARTTOPIC DURATION
1.00pmABC 2025 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
(closed session – open to Eligible Producers only)
4 hours
5.00pm - 7.00pmSOCIAL EVENT
Meet & Greet social in tradeshow hall with exhibitors, all delegates welcome!

PRE CONFERENCE REGISTRATION
Check-in early and pick up your name tag during our pre-event check in!
Available for all guests, vendors, speakers etc.
2 hours
7.00pm END OF DAY
Tuesday, November 18, 2025 - Conference & Trade Show | Day 1
STARTTOPICSPEAKERDURATION
7.00amBREAKFAST
Enjoy a full hot breakfast in Room 6. Included as part of your event ticket.
All guests90 min
7.30amAlberta Pollination Group - Breakfast Meeting Closed session, Alberta Pollination Group members only.
Room 6
60 min
8.30amConference Welcome & Opening RemarksABC President5 min
8.35amTBADr. Humberto Boncristiani40 min
9.20amFat and happy? The impact of Lotmaria passim on the diet consumption and survival of four honey bee stocksCourtney MacInnis20 min
9.45amTBATom Rosser, Assistant Deputy Minister, Market and Industry Services, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada20 min
10.05amMORNING BREAK30 min
10.35amPANEL DISCUSSION
Sweetening the Deal: Expanding the Reach of Canadian Honey in Domestic and Global Markets
Moderator: Ray Bergstra

Panelists:
Tom Rosser
Peter Awram
Rod Scarlett
40 min
11.20amMiticide ProjectDr. Rassol Bahreini20 min
11.45amABC Tech Transfer Program updateMaren Vickers20 min
12.05pmLUNCH60 min
1.05pmCanadian Honey Quality & Authenticity Standard Project updateDr. Ray Bergstra20 min
1.30pmTBAPatricia Wolf-Veiga20 min
1.55pmPANEL DISCUSSION

SPECIAL OPPS: Operational tactics for a successful beekeeping season
Moderator: Curtis Miedema

Panelists: TBC
45 min
2.40pmAFTERNOON BREAK30 mins
3.10pmLabourMark Chambers20 min
3.35pmTBADr. Humberto Boncristiani40 min
4.20pmHeat and Drought Disrupt Canola Flowering, Reduce Pollinator Attraction, and Lower Seed YieldFairo Dzekashu20 min
4.45pmPANEL DISCUSSION

Building a Sustainable Workforce: Recruiting and Retaining Skilled Labour in Beekeeping
MODERATOR: Mark Chambers

PANELISTS:
40 min
5.25pmBREAK | FREE TIME65 min
6:00pmPRESIDENT’S BANQUET
·         Buffet dinner | Toonie Bar
·         Beekeeper of the Year Award Presentation
·         Entertainment
OPTIONAL

BUY TICKETS HERE
4 hours
Wednesday, November 19, 2025 - Conference & Trade Show | Day 2
STARTTOPICSPEAKERDURATION
8.00amBREAKFAST
Enjoy a full hot breakfast in Room 6. Included as part of your event ticket.
All guests90 Min
8.00am DRONES HOCKEY GAME! Bring your gear, open to all guests.All guests90mins
9.30amBRM Program UpdatesAFSC20 min
9.55amNectar TechnologiesNico Coallier20 min
10.20am A nutritionally complete pollen-replacing diet protects honeybee colonies during stressful commercial pollinationTaydin Macon40 min
11.00AMMORNING BREAK30 min
11.30amPANEL DISCUSSION

Building Better Bees: Advancing Honey Bee Breeding in Alberta
MODERATOR: TBA

PANELISTS:
Dr. Olav Rueppell
Glyn Stevens
Curtis Miedema
40 min
12.15pmTBADr. Steve Pernal35 min
12.50pmLUNCH60 min
1.50pmProvincial Apiculturist updateDr. Renata Labuschagne20 min
2.15pmComprehensive analysis of honeys using High-Performance Thin-Layer Chromatography (HPTLC)Kouadio Gerard Bedie & Wilmer Perera25 min
2.45pmFieldWatch updateAnton Grechukha15 min
3.05pmAlberta Government Honey Testing Lab updateJohan van der Heever20 min
3.30pmClosing remarksABC President5mins
3.35pm END