2026 QBA State Conference & 122nd AGM (11 June 2026)

Wed, 10 Jun 2026 22:30:00 GMT

QBA 2026 State Conference & 122nd AGM

The Queensland Beekeepers' Association Inc. was founded in 1886, marking a proud history of advocacy and community. As we celebrate our 140th year in 2026, we are thrilled to announce that our 2026 State Conference & 122nd Annual General Meeting (AGM) will be heading to the Wide Bay region. Please save the date for June 11th and 12th, 2026, at the Brothers Sports Club in Bundaberg, Queensland.

The Theme: Adapt and Thrive

This year’s conference theme, 'Adapt and Thrive,' reflects the journey of our industry over the last 140 years. The program will focus on forward-looking practices, biosecurity resilience, and informed management strategies that support a sustainable future for Australian beekeeping.

Guest Speakers

Whilst the agenda is still being finalised, we are excited to confirm an exceptional lineup of guest speakers who will be travelling to Bundaberg to share their expertise:

DR. GEOFF WILLIAMS

Associate Professor & Director

Auburn University Bee Centre

Alabama (USA)

DR. THIERRY BOGAERT

CTO and Chairman

Commercial Pollen Replacement Feed

APIX Biosciences, Belgium (EUR)

DR. FLEUR PONTON

Associate Professor & Director

Head of School of Natural Sciences

Macquarie University, Sydney NSW (AUS)

LIZ FROST

Technical Specialist Honey Bees

Agriculture and Biosecurity

Dept. of Primary Industries & Regional Development,

Tocal NSW (AUS)

JODIE GOLDSWORTHY AM

Co-Founder and Director - Beechworth Honey Group

Beechworth VIC (AUS)

Oceania Vice President - Apimondia

Board Member - Wheen Bee Foundation

Executive Member - HPMAA

DR. JOHN ROBERTS

Senior Research Scientist

Bee Pests and Pathogens

CSIRO Health and Biosecurity,

Canberra ACT (AUS)

DANNY LE FEUVRE

CEO - Australian Honey Bee Industry Council (AHBIC)

South Australia (AUS)

Non-Executive Director - AgriFutures

Co-founder - The Honey Alchemists

DR. COOPER SCHOUTEN

Senior Research Fellow

Director - Bee Research and Extension Lab

Faculty of Science and Engineering

Southern Cross University, Lismore NSW (AUS)

Executive Member - AHBIC

ROBERT STEPHENS

Manager Projects – Varroa Mite Innovation and Resilience Initiative

Biosecurity Queensland

Dept. of Primary Industries, Townsville, QLD (AUS)

LUKE EVANS

Program Manager

Honey Bee and Pollination Program

AgriFutures, Sydney NSW (AUS)

BREE WATSON

CEO|Company Secretary

Bundaberg Fruit & Vegetable Growers (BFVG)

Bundaberg QLD (AUS)

Event Highlights - *** Please note there has been a change of date to the Pollination Open Panel Discussion - now taking place at the Field Day on Sat 13th June ***

All registrants with tickets to the Pollination Night previously being held on Thursday evening, the 11th of June, will automatically be transferred to the 'Meet the Sponsors' event. We apologise for any inconvenience this may have caused.

Beyond the conference sessions, there are four key social and practical events not to be missed:

1. MEET THE SPONSORS - FREE EVENT***

When: Thursday, 11th June

Where: John Byrne Event Centre, Brothers Sports Club

Time: 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm

Hot platters/tea & coffee provided by QBA - drinks available to purchase at private bar

2. FORMAL 3-COURSE DINNER - TICKETS $66.00 per head - TIME TO DRESS UP!

When: Friday Night, 12th June

Where: John Byrne Event Centre, Brothers Sports Club

Time: 7:00 pm (Drinks on the deck from 6:00 pm)

3. WIDE BAY BRANCH BEEKEEPING FIELD DAY - ENTRY $10.00

When: Saturday, 13th June

Where: Main Pavilion at the Bundaberg Recreational Precinct (Showgrounds)

Time: 9:00 am - 2:00 pm

Contact: widebaybeekeepers@gmail.com

4. POLLINATION OPEN PANEL DISCUSSION (Beekeeper & Grower) FREE EVENT ***

When: Saturday, 13th June

Where: Main Pavilion at the Bundaberg Recreational Precinct (Showgrounds)

Time: 10:00 am (an announcement will be made at the field day when it is due to commence)

Sponsorship Opportunities Available

We invite industry partners to support this milestone event via a sponsorship tier of your choice or conference advertising to promote your business. Our Sponsorship Prospectus is available for download. This document outlines venue details, the conference vision, and the sponsorship tiers available for the year starting 1st May 2026 to 30th April 2027 - QBA 2026 Sponsorship Prospectus

Sponsors will be promoted extensively throughout the conference and at the venue.

See you in Bundaberg!!

Queensland Beekeepers' Association Inc.

LUKE EVANS

Program Manager - Honey Bee and Pollination Program

AgriFutures, Wagga Wagga NSW (AUS)

Queensland Beekeepers' Association Inc upcoming events

2026 QBA State Conference & 122nd AGM (11 June 2026)

Sponsorship Opportunities Available

See you in Bundaberg!!