The 2013 BBKA Spring Convention

[Mellifera397]

sounds good my first convention this year, can't wait!!!

M

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

I've been here all afternoon/evening and have the following observations to report:

It's dry!
Food excellent
Signage improved between venues
Video links in place from main lecture theatres to overflow rooms/theatres
Parking directly outside trade hall different - perhaps pick-up area?

Hate to tell you - doesn't start 'til tomorrow!

 

[fiftyjon]

I've been here all afternoon/evening and have the following observations to report:

It's dry!
Food excellent
Signage improved between venues
Video links in place from main lecture theatres to overflow rooms/theatres
Parking directly outside trade hall different - perhaps pick-up area?

Well that's keen,isn't it?

Just to be the first in the queue for Saturday!!

 

[DanBee]

Thanks for your support, guys

Ticket system and overflow for lectures works well. Get there up to an hour before your lecture, get a ticket and you're guaranteed a seat. After that it's pot luck for the overflow seating. I tried this for one of the lectures and it works - one screen for the slides and one for a camera and mic pointing at the speaker. All clearly visible / audible but no facility to ask questions from the overflow room.

Trade hall looks very busy, lectures have been uniformly good. I am told there is a secure drop-off point for leaving trade hall purchases at whilst you fetch the car for loading up.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

lectures have been uniformly good.

Although one or two things propounded were a bit suspect!.

Cup of tea and a large slab of chocolate brownie £1.45 bargain! might go again if tomorrow pans out alright!

 

[Tdod]

is the trade hall any cheaper than you can get from the suppliers through the internet on a day to day basis ?????

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

is the trade hall any cheaper than you can get from the suppliers through the internet on a day to day basis ?????

Some - both Thornes and maisies have convention only sale items - all listed on their website

 

[itma]

Some - both Thornes and maisies have convention only sale items - all listed on their website

I had thought that those were the pre-reservable items and that there were to be others only available on the day - odds and ends rather than big lines of stock.

 

[Mellifera397]

WOW!!!!

The convention was great if anyone did'nt go this year you've GOT to go next year.

loads of great speakers on really interesting topics and all the beeks to chat to, dont forget the great deals on the saturday!!

many thanks to the BBKA organisers for a great coupe of days.

M

 

[SixFooter]

I thought it was excellent. I nodded off a little in a couple of the lectures, but two were brillaint. (2 out of 4 aint bad). For one of them, I was too slow to get into the lecture theatre, but the streaming was absolutely fine. In the Trade hall, most sellers had pdqs this time. (Beekeepers are the only people who ask me for a cheque these days) I spent a lot of money though, but at least I was not in a vicious selfish scrum like previous years. One chap even apologised to me for pushing in in front of me!

I didnt try the food as I am doing Atklins and everything on sale was full of carbs! Looked and smelled OK though.

The accomodation is very basic, but I didnt really care. 'en-suite' lol. It was basically a cell!

Successful from my point of view. I learnt what I wanted to learn and bought almost all of what I wanted to buy.

 

[youngyoungs]

I agree
Went to two lectures, both excellent. One was in the overflow room and the speaker was great.
Trade stands, bargains, knowledgable and polite staff, spent more than I intended.
Food, great prices for lunch and good selection, very friendly and helpful staff.
Great venue, and good day!

Well done to the organisers

 

[Mellifera397]

The trade hall was probably a little quieter due to all the losses this winter, people don't need new kit

M

 

[fiftyjon]

Good convention with good lectures.....but the stewards were the usual standard.

(I think they need to get out more!!)

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

Well, I enjoyed anyway - lectures the usual - some good some indifferent. But met loads of interesting people, bit of networking and a bit (and I mean only a little) of buying. Nice to see a show where they don't try to fleece you with exorbidant food prices.

 

[MuswellMetro]

Good convention with good lectures.....but the stewards were the usual standard.

(I think they need to get out more!!)

I did n't think hedgerowpete was doing it this year

 

[westart]

Was a good day and could of spent alot more than I did. Good job the wife held the purse strings.

Cheers Westart

 

[Rock_Chick]

Anyone know why Wynn jones was not there,?

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

Bit less tired now after driving back last night. First time at the convention and I thoroughly enjoyed. Called with Chris B on the way up for a quick cuppa (joined by Pete D and missus) so it ended up being a loooong chat over two cuppas about bees, tour of the queen rearing apiary with his mini nuc overwintered queens- much impressed; and another nostalgic half hour in the honey room where a bottle of honey beer turned up in my hand.
So didn't get to the convention 'til 3
At the Kim Flotum lecture ended up sat next to Wally and Jenny Shaw so we chatted on for ages before and after the lecture about swarming and Americans!!
In the morning went to the Mary Ann Frazier pesticides lecture, and again Wally and jenny came over so we talked for ages on pesticides and........Americans! and their questionable farming practices (all and any species!!)
Then met up with the man with bees in his belfry - Dusty Rhodes, had a nice long chat before he went to drop off his purchases with Mrs R before jetting off again to sunnier climes.
Did a bit of shopping for Veg, and it seemed a shame to waste all that empty space in the carrier bag so got some stuff for meself. Including a nice little book from the IBRA stand 'A colour guide to the pollen loads of the honey bee'
Queen selection/breeding lecture was great but the Last lecture 'Controlling the swarming impulse (more like controlling the dozing impulse) was just death by powerpoint and a very long winded boring introduction/ end of talk thankyou by whoever he was from the BBKA.
Oh and saw Clive De Bruyn .
Didn't meet any other forum members, even though i'd waxed my moustache specially!
If I get the chance I'll go again definitely!!

 

[Tim1606]

Anyone know why Wynn jones was not there,?

I asked them a few months back and they said they would not be going.
Maybe the trade stand price was too high for them.

 

[VEG]

Did a bit of shopping for Veg, and it seemed a shame to waste all that empty space in the carrier bag so got some stuff for meself.

Very much appreciated as well