Western PA Beekeeping Seminar
February 5–6, 2027 | Westminster College | New Wilmington, PA
The Western PA Beekeeping Seminar is back for 2027!
Join us Friday, February 5 and Saturday, February 6, 2027, at our new location, Westminster College in New Wilmington, Pennsylvania, for two days of education, networking, vendors, and everything beekeeping!
The Western PA Beekeeping Seminar brings together beekeepers of all experience levels for an outstanding lineup of speakers and educational sessions covering a wide range of topics. Whether you're just getting started or have been keeping bees for years, there's something for everyone.
CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE YOUR TICKETS STARTING THIS THURSDAY, OCTOBER 1!
2027 Featured Speakers
We are excited to welcome an outstanding group of speakers and presenters to the 2027 Western PA Beekeeping Seminar, including:
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Dr. Frank Rinkevich — USDA
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Ross Conrad
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Emily Mueller
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Dr. Gary J. Roloff
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Karen Roccasecca
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Cici Sweeney
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Abigail Stump
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CJ Neuman
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Westminster College Beekeeping Students
Our speakers will cover topics ranging from Varroa resistance and Tropilaelaps to propolis, honey processing, black bear deterrence, honey sensory analysis, and getting started with beekeeping.
Click the Speaker Bios link below for more information on some of our speakers
NEW FOR 2027 — HONEY FESTIVAL & HONEY SHOW!
We're thrilled to introduce a brand-new addition to the Western PA Beekeeping Seminar: our Honey Festival and Honey Show!
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Our newly formed Honey Show Committee is hard at work preparing an exciting competition where beekeepers will have the opportunity to enter their honey and other eligible products for evaluation.
Entries will be judged according to American Honey Judges Association (AHJA) standards, giving participants the opportunity to have their entries evaluated using nationally recognized judging criteria.
Whether you're interested in entering the competition, learning more about honey judging, or simply appreciating the work of fellow beekeepers, we hope you'll join us!
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​The Honey Show Information page includes everything you need to know, including:
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Entry information
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Competition categories
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Rules and requirements
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Judging criteria
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Important deadlines
Registration
Online registration opens October 1, 2026.
Early bird tickets will be available through our online ticketing site. Once registration opens, use the link below to purchase your tickets and reserve your spot at the 2027 Western PA Beekeeping Seminar.
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Link to ticketing site will be updated on Thursday, October 1
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Additional information about registration, meals, and ticket options will be available through our ticketing site.
2027 Seminar Schedule
Friday, February 5, 2027
6:00–6:45 p.m. — Registration Opens - Orr Auditorium Lobby
7:00–7:10 p.m. — Welcome & Seminar Announcements - Orr Auditorium
7:10–8:00 p.m. — Friday Evening Presentations
Amitraz Resistance in Varroa - Dr. Frank Rinkevich
Overwintering Bees and Spring Management - Ross Conrad
8:00–8:45 p.m. — Speaker Meet & Greet
Meet our seminar speakers and connect with fellow beekeepers before Saturday's full day of programming.
Saturday, February 6, 2027
7:00 a.m. — Registration Opens Orr Auditorium Lobby
8:00–8:15 a.m. — Welcome & Announcements
8:15–9:15 a.m. — Varroa-Resistant Honey Bee Stocks - Dr. Frank Rinkevich
9:15–9:35 a.m. — Break
9:35–9:55 a.m. — PA State of Beekeeping - Karen Roccasecca
9:55–10:55 a.m. — Tropilaelaps: It's Been Called "Varroa on Steroids" - Ross Conrad
10:55–11:15 a.m. — Break
11:15–11:35 a.m. — Penn State Apiculture Update - Cici Sweeney
11:35–11:45 a.m. — Welcome from the 2027 PA Honey Princess & PA State Beekeepers Announcements
Remarks by Cathy Vorisek
11:45 a.m.–12:30 p.m. — Lunch Seating #1 - Attendees with last names A–L
12:30–1:15 p.m. — Lunch Seating #2 - Attendees with last names M–Z
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1:15–2:05 p.m. — Educational Session I - Choose one session to attend.
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More Than Honey: Working with Swarms - Ross Conrad
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Propolis: Nature's Medicine - Emily Mueller
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Testing Design Variations of Electrical Fencing for Excluding Black Bears from Apiaries - Dr. Gary J. Roloff
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Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture Requirements for Honey Processing - Abigail Stump
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Honey Sommelier Skills: The Art and Science of Honey Sensory Analysis — Part I - CJ Neuman
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Getting Started with Beekeeping - Westminster College Students
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2:05–2:25 p.m. — Break
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2:25–3:15 p.m. — Educational Session II - Choose one session to attend.
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Propolis in the Beehive - Dr. Frank Rinkevich
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Bee Venom Therapy - Emily Mueller
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Testing Design Variations of Electrical Fencing for Excluding Black Bears from Apiaries - Dr. Gary J. Roloff
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Yellow-Legged Hornets: What Beekeepers Need to Know - Karen Roccasecca
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Honey Sommelier Skills: The Art and Science of Honey Sensory Analysis — Part II - CJ Neuman
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Getting Started with Beekeeping - Westminster College Students
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3:15–3:35 p.m. — Break
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3:35–4:25 p.m. — Featured Speaker Panel & Audience Q&A
Join Dr. Frank Rinkevich and Ross Conrad for a featured speaker panel and audience question-and-answer session.
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Bring your questions and take advantage of the opportunity to hear from two of our featured speakers.
4:25–4:30 p.m. — Closing Remarks
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Schedule and presentation topics are subject to change.
Volunteers Needed!
The Western PA Beekeeping Seminar is a volunteer-led event, and it takes a lot of people power to make the seminar a success!
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We are always looking for people who would like to become involved with the planning group. If you're interested in helping plan future seminars or assisting with the organization of this event, please reach out to us at:
Honey Donation
We encourage attendees to bring one pound or less of honey to donate to the Rosedale Food Bank in Verona.
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As a thank-you for helping support this local food bank, everyone who donates honey will receive one free raffle ticket.
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Every donation helps!
2027 Seminar T-Shirts & Merchandise
We're excited to partner with Kandice at Khart Designs for our 2027 seminar merchandise!
Our seminar merchandise will feature new designs created specifically for the 2027 Western PA Beekeeping Seminar.
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The online merchandise store will open October 1, 2026.
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Hotel Information
We've secured several hotel blocks for attendees traveling to the seminar. We would like to thank Laurie Hoover for her work in securing these accommodations.
Please use the links below to make your reservations.
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TownPlace Suites
Book the Western PA Beekeeping Seminar room block
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Hampton Inn & Suites
Book the Western PA Beekeeping Seminar room block
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Holiday Inn Express
Book the Western PA Beekeeping Seminar room block
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Wingate by Wyndham
Book the Western PA Beekeeping Seminar room block
Hotel room blocks are subject to availability. Please make reservations as early as possible.
Stay Connected
Have questions about the Western PA Beekeeping Seminar?
Want to volunteer, become involved with the planning committee, or learn more about the event?
Email us at:
wpabeekeepingseminar@gmail.com
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We look forward to seeing you at Westminster College on February 5–6, 2027!
Bring your questions. Bring your honey. Bring your fellow beekeepers. We'll see you in New Wilmington!