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On November 8-10, 2007, the Harris County Beekeepers Association (HCBA) hosted the 2007 Texas Beekeepers Association (TBA) Convention in Galveston, Texas. Don Angle, President of HCBA, welcomed attendees to the convention on November 9, 2007, kicking off two days of seminars packed full of educational information for beekeepers. HCBA received rave reviews on the hotel and its facilities. Since many of the

Attending the Convention was the 2007 American Honey Queen Kelly Tjepkes, 2007 Texas Honey Queen Rachael Seida, two Collin County Honey Princesses and the Alamo Area Honey Queen. Attendees of the Queen’s Luncheon were afforded the opportunity to meet each of these delightful young ladies. All are experienced and knowledgeable beekeepers!

Honey Queens and Princesses had never been to the Gulf Coast before they were particularly delighted with the views of the Gulf from the hotel and walks on the beach.

The lineup of speakers was particularly impressive as was the information provided by each. The speakers covered a wide range of beekeeping topics, including but not limited to, colony hygienics, honey as a health food, controlling the small hive beetle, brood pheromone, bee nutrition, and of course, Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD).

A highlight of the convention was a panel discussion on CCD moderated by Jeff Pettis of the USDA/ARS Bee Research Lab, Beltsville, Maryland. One of the speakers, David Hackenberg, (standing to the right of the podium) described his first encounter with what later came to be known as Colony Collapse Disorder.

There is still no clear definition of the cause of Colony Collapse Disorder; however, Hackenberg and other members of the panel shared with attendees their thoughts on CCD and what actions they are taking to help reduce its potential  impact on their colonies.

And what beekeeping event worth its salt would be without the guests of honor—the real Honey Bee Queen and her court. They occupied a place of honor next to podium throughout the Convention. This unique observation hive was the collaborative effort of President Don Angle and HCBA member, Ed Michalik.

HCBA members, see the November/December issue of the Honey Bee Times for more on the Convention and detailed recommendations on CCD.

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