Louisiana Beekeepers Association upcoming events

2026 LBA Spring Field Day (Alexandria Mega Shelter, LA) (04/18/2026)

Sat, 18 Apr 2026 15:00:00 GMT

LBA Spring Field Day

The Mega Shelter, 8125 U.S. Hwy 71, Alexandria, LA 71302

Email la4honeybees@gmail.com with any questions.

The Louisiana Beekeepers Association Spring Field Day on Saturday, April 18th at The Mega Shelter Alexandria (8125 U.S. Hwy 71, Alexandria, LA 71302).

Training sessions will be offered over time blocks. Three concurrent sessions will be occurring at any one time, from which attendees can choose. The training sessions, running about 50 minutes long, are focused on providing information and live demonstrations for new, less-experienced, and intermediate-level beekeepers.

Doors open at 8:30 a.m.

Session begin at 9:00 a.m.

Anticipated training sessions at this event include:

Level 1: Beekeeping: Where to Start, Equipment Needs and Apiary Set Up; Honey Bee Basics: Hive and Frame Types; Beekeeping Throughout the Year; Pests and Diseases; Extracting and Bottling Honey

Level 2: Honey Bee Biology: Behavior, Morphology, and Anatomy; Live Hive Inspection Basics: How to Read a Frame and Find the Queen; Basic Varroa Management and Monitoring; Splits for Beginners; Catching and Keeping Swarms

Level 3: Proper Timing for Feeding Bees; Structural Bee Removals; Wax Rendering and Demonstration; Queens Overview: Raising and Re-queening Techniques; Advanced Hive Inspection: Varroa Management and Monitoring

LBA Member fee of $25 and a lunch that day.

Bring your basic protective gear for the demonstrations and get ready to learn a lot more about honey bees and beekeeping!

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The Mega Shelter, 8125 U.S. Hwy 71, Alexandria, LA 71302LSU AgCenter

https://www2.latech.edu/~bmagee/303groups/303_spring_11-12/megashelter/the_mega_shelter.html

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By registering for this event you consent to the following:

Refunds will only be given if a program is cancelled by LBA.
Withdrawals more than 10 days prior to a class/event will result in a credit toward another program.
Withdrawals with less than 10 days notice are non-refundable; please consider your payment a donation to LBA.

Waiver of Liability
This agreement releases and forever discharges Louisiana Beekeepers Association, Inc (LBA) and the Mega Shelter, their agents, employees, successors and assigns, and their respective heirs, personal representatives, affiliates and any and all persons or who might be claimed to be liable, whether or not herein named from all liability, claims, lawsuits and demands relating to injuries or property damage that may occur during or any way related to beekeeping tours, classes and honeybee removals. By signing this agreement, I agree to hold LBA and Mega Shelter entirely free from any liability, including financial responsibility for injuries or property damage incurred, regardless of whether injuries are caused by negligence in the State of Louisiana.
I also acknowledge the risks involved in beekeeping activities. These include but are not limited to stings, falls, shock, allergic reactions and personal injuries. I swear that I am participating voluntarily, and that all risks have been made clear to me. Additionally, I do not have any conditions that will increase my likelihood of experiencing injuries while engaging in this activity. If emergency administration of an Epi-Pen becomes necessary, I do not hold anyone accountable for adverse reactions that can possibly lead to injury or death.

By attending this event, I forfeit all right to bring a suit against LBA nor Mega Shelter for any reason. In return, I will receive services rendered by LBA and Mega Shelter. I will also make every effort to obey safety precautions listed in writing or explained to me verbally. I will ask for clarification when needed.
I fully understand and agree to the above terms.

2026 Annual LBA Convention (Pineville, LA) (08/21/2026)

Fri, 21 Aug 2026 14:00:00 GMT

LBA 64th ANNUAL CONVENTION

The Louisiana Beekeepers Association (LBA) will have their 64th Annual Convention at the Country Inn & Suites, Pineville, LA - August 21-22, 2026. The event will begin Friday morning at 9 a.m. and conclude Saturday at 3 p.m. Doors open at 8 a.m.

Over 30 vendors with the latest technology, equipment, and wonderful bee-related items will be present. (Plan on conducting your Christmas shopping for all of your friends and family!)
Contests for honey-baked goods, honey judging, and decorated brood boxes are planned for this year.
- Honey-baked goods must contain honey as the principal sweetening ingredient. (2025 Honey Baked Goods Competition.pdf). Please provide the recipe on a 8.5 x 11" sheet of paper. Submit entries by 10:00 a.m. on Friday, August 23, to be judged Friday afternoon. Winners will be announced during the banquet and again during the Annual General Membership Meeting on Saturday morning.
- Black jar honey contest is open to ALL attendees with all entries submitted by 10:00 a.m. on Friday. 2025 Black Jar Honey Contest Rules.pdf This year we will be selecting the best tasting honey from the five Louisiana regions, narrowing down the entries to the top 5 honeys and then selecting an overall state winner. Winners will be announced Saturday at 2:45 p.m. at the conclusion of the Convention.
- Decorated brood box contest. Click here to download the 2025 Brood Box Art Competition Form.pdf. Boxes must be submitted by 10:00 on Friday. All boxes will be auctioned during Friday night's banquet.
Silent and live auctions will be held - consider donating an item to either auction.
A special buffet banquet will be held in conjunction with the live auction on Friday night, August 23. Banquet tickets are $25 each.

2026 Convention Agenda coming soon

Registration Options:

Registration for the Annual Convention is only $75 for an LBA member and $100 for non-LBA members. There are also options to include the banquet ($25/ticket) with your registration: $100 for LBA member registration with banquet; $125 for non-LBA member registration with banquet. Guest registration options are available for both LBA members ($60) and non-members ($85). Children under 18 are FREE, but please complete registration for all attending to help us with our records. College students receive a registration price of $25/ticket with proof of Student ID. A one-day pass to the Convention for either Friday or Saturday will cost $50.

For any additional information or questions email dandelionwishbeefarm@gmail.com

Sponsors/Vendors:

If you wish to provide support or participate in the LBA Convention as a sponsor or vendor, please visit this separate registration link to become a supporter.

LBA Membership:

Membership to the LBA is $20 and provides many benefits, including discounts on registration fees for conventions and field days. Please sign up to become a member today and save money on registration fees!

Hotel Reservations:

Book your hotel room BEFORE AUGUST 8 using the LBA hotel rate code: Beekeepers. Use this code when calling the hotel at 318-641-8332. *NOTE: If you have an issue with the hotel, please email maggieecard@yahoo.com.

Country Inn & Suites Website

$90.00* Standard Double Room (2 Queen beds)

$110.00* Suite (2 Queen beds and extra seating area)

*All rates include breakfast buffet, but do not include taxes and fees.

HOTEL DESCRIPTION

Situated off US highways 165 and 167, the Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Pineville, LA offers guests easy access to Alexandria International Airport (AEX), just 20 minutes away, as well as the Pineville Convention Center adjacent to our hotel. When your meetings have finished, you can learn more about local history at destinations like Kent Plantation House and Forts Randolph & Buhlow State Historic Site, both less than 15 minutes away. If you’re traveling with the family, take the kids to see the animals at Alexandria Zoo or Gone Wild Safari. You can also visit loved ones at Camp Beauregard and Louisiana Christian University in less than 10 minutes.

After a full day in Pineville, unwind with a relaxing soak in our hot tub or a swim in our outdoor pool, open year-round. If workouts are part of your daily routine, you can stay on track at our on-site fitness center, and then reward yourself with an indulgent free, hot breakfast featuring our signature waffles. Need to print presentation notes before walking over to the Pineville Convention Center? Stop by our convenient business center.

Shop, golf, or find other fun things to do in Alexandria

Thanks to our location off US Highway 165, booking a room or suite at the Country Inn & Suites, Pineville, LA makes it easy to reach downtown Alexandria and popular area attractions like Kent Plantation House and Alexandria Zoo. You can visit a family member stationed at Camp Beauregard, situated less than 10 minutes away, or brush up on your Civil War knowledge at Forts Randolph & Buhlow State Historic Site, less than three miles away. When you’re ready to unwind, enjoy a relaxing stroll on the hiking trails at Kisatchie National Forest or test your poker face at Jena Choctaw Pines Casino. Looking for things to do between meetings? Schedule a tee time with your colleagues on the greens at Oak Wing Golf Club.

Country Inn Standard Room

Country Inn Suite

Sponsor/Vendor/Advertiser Registration for 2026 Annual LBA Convention (Pineville, LA) (08/21/2026)

Fri, 21 Aug 2026 18:00:00 GMT

LBA 64th ANNUAL CONVENTION

RESERVE YOUR SPOT NOW!

Dear LBA Supporter,

You are cordially invited to attend the 64th Annual Louisiana Beekeepers Association Convention on August 21 – 22, 2026, in Pineville, Louisiana. This year’s convention at the Country Inn & Suites will begin on Friday morning at 9 a.m. and conclude Saturday at 3 p.m. You are invited to set up any time after Noon on Thursday, August 21 (please do not come earlier!)

We are also planning to host a breakfast for commercial keepers, surely the coffee will be strong, just come with your smoker lit! (Details in the works.)

SPONSORS:

We are offering four levels of sponsorship which include vendor tables, inclusion on sponsor posters, and complimentary banquet tickets. Sponsorship levels are as follows:

BRONZE - $250 – includes 1 table
SILVER - $500 – includes 1 table, 1 banquet ticket
GOLD - $1,000 – includes 2 tables, 2 banquet tickets
PLATINUM - anything over $2,000 – includes 3 tables, 3 banquet tickets (an LBA Board Member will contact you for more details on your generous sponsorship and provide instructions on payment).

VENDORS:

The cost for vendors attending the LBA Annual Convention is as follows:

FREE table for NEW non-bee-related vendor
$50 for 1 table (includes 2 chairs)
$75 for 2 tables (includes 4 chairs)
$100 for 3 tables (includes 4 chairs)

Please upload your business or organization logo in the online registration to be included on "Sponsor Posters" which will be placed around the Convention for participants to see. This year we will not have a printed program booklet with advertisements. If you wish to have your business card or flyer/advertisement included in participant bags, please mail to Maggie Card, 3258 Koll Road, Jennings, LA 70546 by August 7.

Please fill out the online registration form before August 7.

Our Convention banquet will be held Friday night at 6:30 p.m. and will include a live auction. The live auction proceeds go LBA to help with honey bee education. We are asking each vendor to please donate one item to be auctioned off during the banquet or if you choose, we also conduct a Silent Auction which concludes on Saturday afternoon. Donations to either or both of these auctions is deeply appreciated.

If you have any questions regarding becoming a vendor or how to register online, please do not hesitate to call either Julia Vela 225-305-3451 or Maggie Card 318-240-4683.

For any additional information or questions email la4honeybees@gmail.com

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The Louisiana Beekeepers Association will have their convention at the Country Inn & Suites, Pineville, LA.

Book your hotel room BEFORE AUGUST 11 using the LBA hotel rate code: Beekeepers. Use this code when calling the hotel at 318-641-8332. *NOTE: If you have an issue with the hotel, please email Maggie Card maggieecard@yahoo.com.

Country Inn & Suites Website

$109.00* Double Room (2 people, 2 beds)

$129.00* Suite (1 bedroom, 1 to 2 people)

*All rates include breakfast buffet.

HOTEL DESCRIPTION

Shop, golf, or find other fun things to do in Alexandria