I'm still buzzing with excitement from my weekend at the North American Honey Bee Expo in Louisville, Kentucky. It was an extraordinary event, and our booth, conveniently located right next to our key sponsor, Betterbee, was at the heart of the action. The NAHBE, undoubtedly one of the largest honey bee expos in existence, saw a staggering turnout of over 3,200 attendees – a testament to its growing popularity.
This year, I had the pleasure of having my daughter, Amanda, join me all the way from Ohio to assist at the Beekeeping Today Podcast booth. Her presence was a lifesaver, especially since our other podcast's hosts, Jim and Becky couldn’t make it. We were hoping to explore other booths, but the continuous flow of enthusiastic attendees kept us happily engaged at our own.
This year, I had the pleasure of having my daughter, Amanda, join me all the way from Ohio to assist at the Beekeeping Today Podcast booth. Her presence was a lifesaver, especially since our other podcast's hosts, Jim and Becky couldn’t make it. We were hoping to explore other booths, but the continuous flow of enthusiastic attendees kept us happily engaged at our own.
One of the highlights was meeting so many of our podcast listeners, from Honey Bee Obscura to 2 Million Blossoms. Your stories and feedback truly invigorate our passion for what we do. It’s heartwarming to now have faces to visualize when we’re recording or releasing new episodes – you are the reason we keep going!
Attendees and I also felt a shared sense of loss for Kim, whose absence was deeply felt. His love for bees and his impactful words touched many, and it’s clear he left an indelible mark on our community.
Attendees and I also felt a shared sense of loss for Kim, whose absence was deeply felt. His love for bees and his impactful words touched many, and it’s clear he left an indelible mark on our community.Reflecting on the importance of conferences, NAHBE was a resounding affirmation of beekeepers needs to attend at least one a year. The diversity of attendees, from hobbyists to commercial beekeepers, and the array of products, from honey and balms to advanced beekeeping equipment, highlighted the inclusive nature of this event. Whether you were there to browse, shop, or learn, the expo had something for everyone.
The presence of beekeeping celebrities like Fred Dunn, Bob Bennie, Etienne Tardiff, Marla Spivak, and Kamon Reynolds added to the expo's allure. While I regret not having enough time to fully explore or indulge in the shopping opportunities (limited by luggage space for my flight home), the experience was still enriching.
Amanda and I were fueled by the fantastic culinary experiences in Old Louisville, after the show closed each evening. I definitely look forward to exploring the area next time!
Amanda and I were fueled by the fantastic culinary experiences in Old Louisville, after the show closed each evening. I definitely look forward to exploring the area next time!A heartfelt thank you to Kamon and his team for organizing such a successful event and to all our listeners who stopped by our booth. Your interactions and stories are what make these events truly special. We’re excited to share more with you in the upcoming weeks, so stay tuned!
You can listen to my daily bonus episode updates recorded live from NAHBE floor. Plus! We have quite a few more states to color in on our Listener Openings map in the coming weeks!
Here’s to a thriving and successful beekeeping season in 2024!
