Western PA Beekeeping Seminar
The Western PA Beekeeping Seminar is back for 2026!!
We are once again excited to offer a wide range of informative speakers and vendors for all of your beekeeping needs. This is one of the largest beekeeping seminars in the state that you do not want to miss!
Our upcoming seminar date is Friday, February 6th and 7th, 2026 and will be held at the Gateway Senior High School in Monroeville located at 3000 Gateway Campus Boulevard, Monroeville, PA 15146
Online registration for early bird tickets will go on sale October 1st! Early bird pricing will be $70 per person, so make sure you purchase your tickets early as the price will increase as we get closer to the event! Online ticket sales end on February 1st.
Ticket pricing will increase to $80 on December 1st, and $90 for those purchasing tickets at the door on February 7th. Anyone registering day of the event will not be guaranteed lunch.
CLICK HERE NOW TO PURCHASE TICKETS!
The initial gathering starts on Friday February 6, 2026, there will be a change in our seminar schedule. In lieu of a speaker, we are hosting an informal “meet and greet” from 6:30 to 7:30 PM in the Gateway High school cafeteria. This will be an opportunity to chat with each other and also meet one on one with our speakers and select vendors before the speaker presentations and vendor sales get underway Saturday. The seminar committee will provide bottles of water and ask that attendees bring a snack for all to enjoy.
Per school policy, alcoholic beverages are not allowed.
Early registration will be available from 6 pm to 6:30 pm so you can avoid the busier Saturday AM time.
Plinko, the 50/50, and the raffle will be available to play during the meet and greet.
On Saturday registration begins at 7:15 AM with coffee and donuts. The morning session will begin at 8:15. At this time we are working on securing speakers for the event. We are excited to announce Jerry Hayes, editor of Bee Culture, will be our keynote speaker. In addition, Herman Danenhower, Karen Roccasecca, Grant Stiles, and Cici Sweeney will also be in attedance.
We will have several breaks where attendees can shop the many bee equipment vendors who will be in attendance. The 2026 vendor list for the seminar is a work in progress and will be updated as we get vendors added.
After lunch until 4:30 there will be three breakout sessions which will offer a variety of topics.
Volunteers: In order to make this event happen, we need volunteers to help the day of operations. Volunteers will receive a free t-shirt for your efforts. If you'd like to volunteer, please email Bill Kopar at wkopar@gmail.com
Honey Donation: We encourage all beekeepers to bring a one pound jar or less of honey for donation to the Rosedale food bank located in Verona. Those that donate honey will be given a free raffle ticket.
T-shirts: Below is a sneak peek at this years seminar merchandise. A limited number of event T-shirts will be available at the seminar for sale. We do recommend that you pre-order a shirt in advance as the in person shirts will be limited. Follow the link below to pre-order seminar merchandise!!
Hotel information: Thank you to Laurie Hoover for organizing the following hotel room discounts.
Spring Hill Suites is offering attendees rooms starting at $119 a night for the seminar. Click the link below to reserve our room. Discount room offer ends January 15th!
Hampton Inn is also offering a seminar discount for rooms. Click the link below to reserve your room at the Hampton Inn.
Event schedule:
Friday February 6th, 2026
6:30 pm to 7:30 pm
Informal "meet & greet" in Gateway high school cafeteria. Early registration, plinko, and the 50/50 raffle will be available this evening
Saturday February 7th, 2026 - tentative work in progress
Morning Session 8:15 am to 11:40 am will be in the auditorium
7:15 - registration begins - coffee and donuts available in the vendor area of the auxillary gym
8:15 - Welcome - Joe Zgurzynski (WPA Beekeeping Seminar Chair) and Hannah Durkin
8:15 - Grant Stiles: Seasonal beekeeping
9:15 - BREAK (20 minutes)
9:35 - Karen Roccasecca: PA State Apiarist - The state of beekeeping in PA.
9:55 - Jerry Hayes: Beekeeping economics
10:55 - BREAK (20 Minutes)
11:15 - Cici Sweeney: Penn State Extension - Apiculture update
11:35 - Remarks by the 2025 PA Honey princess and Cathy Vorisek
11:45 - LUNCH BREAK – VENDORS OPEN
Breakout Session I (1:15 - 2:05 pm)
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Honey bee nutrition - Jerry Hayes
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Tropilaelaps mites – Karen Roccasecca
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Comb Honey Production – Herman Danenhower
Breakout Session II (2:25 -3:15 pm) -
Honey House Basics and Food Safety – Grant Stiles
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Sustainable beekeeping with overwintered nucs – Anne Frey
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Intro to Beekeeping - Cici Sweeney
Breakout Session III (3:35 - 4:25 pm) Auditorium
Round Table Discussion – moderated by Joe Zgurzynski and Hannah Durkin
Jerry Hayes, Grant Stiles, Herman Danenhower
