Apimondia is an exciting, dynamic, diverse meeting of the world beekeeping industry. It is the bi-annual congress of the International Federation of Beekeepers’ Associations. The federation was founded in 1949 and has a mission of promoting the scientific, technical, ecological, social and economic apiculture development in all countries.
One of Apimondia’s main objectives is to provide a meeting for exchanging information and engaging in discussions between beekeepers, scientists, honey producers, government agencies, technicians and those working for apiculture development. Apimondia tours also give attendees an opportunity to see first-hand how the host country keeps bees.
Throughout the United States, a small, dedicated group of beekeepers has been planning, studying and gathering resources to host Apimondia, the world beekeeping congress. Since 2012, this group has worked tirelessly on the bidding process. Now, the time has come to put our best foot forward in inviting the international beekeeping community to be our guest, and select the United States to host Apimondia 2019.
Our Goal
The most obvious goal of the Apimondia USA committee is to win the bid to host the world beekeeping congress during the summer of 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
The committee’s mission is to “bring the global beekeeping community together for mutually beneficial discussions, collaboration and education.” This congress will provide a meeting point for everyone involved in the beekeeping world – beekeepers, scientists, honey packers, development workers, and those who work in the equipment industries – to come together and exchange ideas, while learning from world renowned researchers on the latest in honey bee study.
Why?
Supporting the Apimondia USA 2019 bid goes far deeper than just writing a check or helping to spread the word (though both of these efforts are very appreciated).
“I see Apimondia as giving some of the highest opportunities to further my knowledge of beekeeping,” said Benton Kastman of Texas, who is a member of the committee. “Apimondia in the USA, would help strengthen our networking ability with beekeeping industries and beekeepers from around the world. This will also help strengthen our industry globally.”
Louisa Hooven, ‘Scientific Committee Chairman of the committee, adds that many issues, including colony loss, pesticides, global honey markets and the movements of pest and pathogens, are all concerns for today’s beekeeper.
“These are issues that directly impact US beekeepers. And they are issues that most definitely spill across international borders,” Hooven said.
“When so much is at stake for pollinators, it is critical that the US beekeeping and bee research community fully engage in this international dialogue,” Hooven said. “We have a lot to share with the world, and a lot to learn from them. This is our chance to take an international role in pollinator issues.”
She added “The media attention that is expected to result from holding this congress will help the beekeeping community reiterate that problems in U.S. apiaries have national and global impacts on agricultural and economic systems. This will help beekeepers to be heard loud and clear by our own policy makers as well.”
Your Role
The United States has the unparalleled opportunity to bring the worldwide beekeeping community to our backyard. Winning the bid for the Apimondia Worldwide Beekeeping Congress in 2019 is the perfect way to showcase our industry as never before. Representatives from our chosen host city, Minneapolis, will join the United States delegation in Daejeon, South Korea, this September to invite the world beekeeping community to the United States for Apimondia 2019.
“But we can’t do it alone,” said Seib. “All of us will have to come together to make this bid successful.” From volunteering to work on a committee, to making a financial contribution, any and all means of support are welcome.
The United States last hosted the Apimondia Worldwide Beekeeping Congress XXI in Maryland in 1967. Bringing the worldwide beekeeping community back to the USA for Apimondia XLVI in 2019 can only become a reality with your help.
To find out more on how you can contribute to the Apimondia USA 2019 bid, visit our website.
The Best of the Best
Plans are well underway for the proposed Apimondia USA 2019 program, which includes educational lectures, tours, the world’s largest beekeeping trade show and the world honey show.
The Scientific Program is engineered not only to provide forums for experts to share knowledge, but also to create opportunities for beekeepers from around the world to meet and exchange ideas, and return home with satisfying and unique memories.
“We are creating a program that’s not just focused on sitting through one lecture after another,” said Hooven. “Our program will use various types of educational sessions, from scientific poster sessions to round tables to lunches with the experts.”
“It’s the small group or one-on-one discussions we as beekeepers have which are sometimes the most educational,” Seib said. “You can’t place a value on these conversations. Just imagine the value of conversations you have with your own local beekeeping group, then multiply that to a global scale. That’s the kind of information exchange we’re talking about.”
Plans are still under development, but the program will feature:
Symposiums, platforms, plenaries and keynote speakers.
Lunch events to facilitate small groups to interact with speakers and experts.
Roundtables, fishbowls and chat shows that encourage experts to interact with attendees on hot topics.
Poster sessions to allow attendees to talk in person with presenters.
Knowledge fairs to demonstrate new ideas, products, and methods.
Hands-on workshops.
One highlight of the program is the opportunity to visit the University of Minnesota, which has maintained an internationally recognized research, teaching and outreach program on honey bees since 1918.
The University of Minnesota is located in the heart of the top honey-producing region of the United States. Its honey bee program is currently expanding with the creation of a Bee and Pollinator Research Lab and a Bee and Pollinator Discovery Center at the University of Minnesota Landscape Arboretum.
Plans are also underway to open portions of the congress to the public, following the vision of Apimondia USA 2019 to “advance the education and knowledge of beekeeping.”
These public sessions may include demonstrations of beekeeping around the world; youth beekeeping educational workshops; touring bee friendly gardens; and a Master Beekeeping program.
Host City
Careful consideration, including months of potential location site visits, was conducted before one city rose to the top – Minneapolis. This city of nature where history, art, culture and beauty come together to form a mix that can’t just be seen – it has to be experienced. Though filled with world-class museums, theaters, breathtaking architecture and a focus on outdoor activities, Minneapolis also falls in the heartland of the United States and the heartland of its beekeeping operations.
The Minneapolis Convention Center is well equipment to service groups from 30 to more than 10,000. The center is one the most energy efficient and “green” friendly centers in the world. Filled with the latest technological tools, it has a 3,400 fixed-seat auditorium, 475,000 square feet of exhibit space, 87 meeting rooms and both a 28,000-square-foot ballroom and a 55,000-square-foot ballroom.
The center includes a unique auditorium, exceptional production capabilities and many special features, including a UPS Store, Visitor Information Center and Dunn Bros. Coffee. It is conveniently located just 20 minutes from the Minneapolis International Airport. The unique use of climate-controlled skywalks connects the center to 5,000 of the 6,000 downtown hotel rooms, countless dining options and other attractions.
“After touring the convention center and seeing first-hand the capabilities of this facility, there was no doubt in our minds that Minneapolis was the best city to host Apimondia 2019,” Seib said.
About the Committee
The Apimondia USA 2019 committee is comprised of beekeepers, business professionals and government leaders from across the United States. The committee includes five sub-committees – finance, site, scientific program, bid materials and marketing. The members of these committees each work toward the common goal of seeing the United States selected to host Apimondia 2019.
On the Web
www.apimondiausabidfor2019.org
www.facebook.com/USABidforApimondiain2019
www.pinterest.com/apiusabid2019/
