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Sustainable Beekeeping
Back to Basics, Back to Bees

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Why “Back”?

We’ve become so focused on beekeeping techniques that we’ve forgotten about the bees themselves! What are the bees focused on, and how would they be living without us? How much should we limit the influence of beekeepers? Join our conference to hear these questions answered by beekeeping experts, and join in the discussion. You can attend the event in-person, via our global livestream, with translations provided in 8 languages!

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Words from Apimondia President
Dr. Jeff Pettis

Why do we care?

The word "Bee", to us is an inspiration and a path to save humanity. Bees are strongly affected by the ever increasing climate change, droughts, pesticides and other chemicals. As beings, bees are tied to their environment. They can only be as healthy as their environment allows them to be, and humans are tied in this cycle too. If we protect the bees and their world, we are protecting our own world and its future.

We are in this together!

Speakers

US
Prof. Thomas Seeley

Horace White Professor in Biology, Cornell University

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Horace White Professor in Biology, Cornell University

Prof. Thomas Seeley US

Horace White Professor in Biology, Cornell University

Prof. Thomas D. Seeley is the Horace White Professor in Biology at Cornell University. He is based in the Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, where he teaches courses on animal behavior and does research on the behavior and social life of honey bees. His scientific work focuses on understanding the phenomenon of swarm intelligence (SI): the solving of cognitive problems by a group of individuals who pool their knowledge and process it through social interactions. His summarized his knowledge in three books: Honeybee Ecology (1985), The Wisdom of the Hive (1995), and Honeybee Democracy (2010).

US
Prof. Marla Spivak

MacArthur Fellow & McKnight Distinguished Professor in Entomology, University of Minnesota

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MacArthur Fellow & McKnight Distinguished Professor in Entomology, University of Minnesota

Prof. Marla Spivak US

MacArthur Fellow & McKnight Distinguished Professor in Entomology, University of Minnesota

Prof. Marla Spivak is a MacArthur Fellow and McKnight Distinguished Professor in Entomology at the University of Minnesota. She and Gary Reuter bred a line of honey bees, the Minnesota Hygienic line, and are now initiating a new breeding program to select bees that can defend themselves against diseases and parasitic mites. Other current research includes studies of the benefits of plant resins (propolis) to honey bees, and the effects of agricultural landscapes and pesticides on bee health. She is the founder of an organization called Bee Squad that activates communities to engage in bee-assisting activities.

US
Dr. Jeff Pettis

Researcher & Apimondia President

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Researcher & Apimondia President

Dr. Jeff Pettis US

Researcher & Apimondia President

Dr. Jeff Pettis is a researcher and current Apimondia President. His research of the honeybee behavior, physiology, pathology and host-parasite relationships make Dr. Pettis an excellent expert presenting the impact of Insecticides, Fungicides and Rodenticides on honeybees. His knowledge of, and experience with, the beekeeping industry provides a rare opportunity to analyze and assess risk in the environment, and determine a positive course of action for honeybees, our environment, and our food production systems around the globe.

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Schedule

26th March
60min

Prof. Thomas Seeley

Horace White Professor in Biology, Cornell University

Darwinian Beekeeping

9th April
60min
Prof. Marla Spivak

Prof. Marla Spivak

MacArthur Fellow & McKnight Distinguished Professor in Entomology, University of Minnesota

How Honey Bees Keep Themselves Healthy

30th April
60min
Prof. Marla Spivak

Dr. Jeff Pettis

Researcher & Apimondia President

How Far Have We Come?

How Far Have We Come?

Dr. Pettis talk is about how we moved from hunting and gathering to making hives in the forest to apiaries with log hives and finally movable frame hives. This would be a brief history and then move onto how we have selected bees to NOT survive, my own unproven theory is that selecting for gentleness, honey production and against swarming has helped produce bees that don't survive. We have selected against the numerous mechanisms that bees use to survive.

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Flashback 2020

Our last sustainable beekeeping conference was a great success, with over 250 interested attendees. This time we’re aiming even higher, and including attendees from all over the world with the addition of our live-streaming option.

We can’t wait to discuss new findings, techniques, and innovations with our fellow beekeepers.

BeeConf 7th of March, 2020

Testimonials

Stanislav Jaš, Speaker

Dear fellow beekeepers and friends of bees and real honey, it was a real pleasure to take part and contribute to the success of the conference.

Etienne Calais, Speaker

I would like to thank you warmly for your invitation to this very interesting conference day.

Pavla Králová, Attendee

I would like to thank you for organizing this event. It was impossible to fall asleep after arriving home. My brain couldn't even process all the information and experiences presented during the conference. The event was absolutely perfect in all respects, everything showed a high level of professionalism.

Marie Šotolová, Attendee

Dear organisers, please allow me to thank you for a great conference in Bratislava. Expertise, venue, organization - everything was just top-notch.

Miroslav Kovacik, Attendee

It was simply great, in terms of social, professional, and information as well as media coverage. The lectures were dynamic, the presentations were interesting and the topics are most important. Also, in terms of moderation and interpretation, everything was perfect. Why am I highlighting it like this? In my field, it's common for these events to be dry and boring, and that is why I am glad that you have also reached beekeeping lectures at such a high level. Not to mention how good and comfortable I felt there, „like in heaven“.

Juraj Babala, Attendee

I express my admiration and great praise for your enormous efforts to take traditional beekeeping to such a high level. You also offered great wine, and the moderators created a great atmosphere. I stayed until the "very end of the day" and it was amazing. I received a lot of new stimulating information. I'm excited about the Varroa Controller again.

BeeConf - March 2020
BeeConf - March 2020
BeeConf - March 2020
BeeConf - March 2020
BeeConf - March 2020
BeeConf - March 2020
BeeConf - March 2020
BeeConf - March 2020
BeeConf - March 2020

BeeConf 7th of March, 2020

Our Story

From a humble idea, and a balcony in an apartment building, to the rooftop apiary of the Congress Hotel Gate One. The hotel’s beekeeping co-owner, Rastilav Pavlisin, started beekeeping in 2018, when he met his mentor, Svetozar Ruzicka. Under Svetozar’s guidance, Rastislav opened the bee hotel; and went on to win two gold medals in the Apislavia International Beekeepers’ Competition in Moscow.

Following their early success, the duo started searching for chemical-free beekeeping methods, and met Helena Prokova. One of the bee’s greatest threats is the Varroa Destructor. A parasitic mite which attacks and feeds on honeybees, causing diseases. Helena was very experienced with dealing with these dangerous mites without the use of powerful chemicals. Her method of choice is hypothermia, which allows for beekeeping products to be of higher quality and value. Thanks to this method, Rastislav’s honey went on to win the silver medal in Apimondia 2019 in Canada.

In March of 2020, the trio decided to host their first beekeeping conference: “The Future of European Beekeeping”. After the success of this event, the trio dubbed the Gate One as ‘The First Bee Hotel in Bratislava’’. With your help, this hotel can become a place for the best beekeepers in the world to share their knowledge, inspiration, and experience with the worldwide community of beekeepers.

Let us create a more beautiful world, with happier bees and beekeepers!

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Read more about the first bee hotel in Bratislava (pdf)

About Venue

The NH Bratislava Gate One hotel offers a relaxing stay, and caters to visitors traveling for business. Travelers can enjoy a dip in the pool and a trip to the sauna in the complimentary fitness and wellness center. Dining options include a huge breakfast buffet, and a selection of international delicacies for dinner.