May 30-31, 2026
Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center
219 S Harrison Rd., East Lansing, MI 48824 

The Heartland Apicultural Society is thrilled to announce the return of its in-person Conference in 2026! Join us in East Lansing, Michigan, on the beautiful campus of Michigan State University for an engaging and informative event.

Keynote speakers

• Jeff Harris, Ph.D., Mississippi State University
• Reed Johnson, Ph.D., The Ohio State University
• Jennifer Tsuruda, Ph.D., University of Tennessee, Knoxville
• Robyn Underwood, Ph.D., Pennsylvania State University

Breakout sessions

The conference will include several indoor breakout sessions including swarm catching, nutrition, colony splits, trees for bees, and more!

Open apiary sessions and apiary classes 

Join for in-hive workshops covering colony inspections, finding queens, varroa mites, making nucs, splits, and more! 

There will be three apiaries on site. Workshops in two “open apiaries” will cover colony inspections and some special topics. There is not pre-registration for these “open apiary” workshops, but space will be limited based on a first-come, first-served basis.

Pre-registration is required for workshops in the “apiary class” on-site apiary. These workshops include “Varroa Management,” “Swarm deterrence and splits,” and “Making late season nucs for expansion.” Before registering for any of these workshops, please note that there are many indoor presentations, open apiary workshops, and sometimes laboratory workshops at the same time.

Laboratory workshops (pre-registration is required)

Honey bee anatomy and dissection laboratory workshop: Zachary Huang, Ph.D., will lead hands-on workshops on honey bee anatomy and dissection. The session includes a brief presentation, live demonstration under a dissecting scope, and guided practice dissecting your own bees. Time for questions and individual coaching will be provided. Children and minors must be accompanied and supervised by an adult.

• Saturday, May 30, tentatively 2:30-4:30 p.m., $35, maximum of 24 participants
• Sunday, May 31, tentatively 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., $35, maximum of 24 participants

Bacterial disease microscopy laboratory workshop: Peter Fowler, D.V.M., Ph.D., will instruct a laboratory diagnostic clinic covering microscopic diagnostics for honey bee bacterial diseases. Participants will view the pathogens that cause American foulbrood and European foulbrood disease and practice the Hanging Drop diagnostic method. 

• Sunday, May 31, tentatively 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., $35, maximum of 20 participants

Registration

Register early to lock in your spot for our most in-demand workshops and apiary classes—many fill quickly! As an added bonus, the first 300 registrants will receive a complimentary attendee bag. Don’t wait—secure your experience and your perks today!

Early Registration Closes May 3, 2026

• Full Conference: $125
• Daily Registration: $75
• Laboratory workshops: $35 limited spaces available

Regular Registration Closes May 25, 2026

• Full Conference: $175
• Daily Registration: $95
• Laboratory workshops: $35 (if available)

Onsite Registration (based on availability)

• Full Conference: $225
• Daily Registration: $115
• Workshops: $45 (if available)

Cancellations after May 25, 2026, will not receive a refund, but you may send a replacement. Please contact ANR Events at events@anr.msu.edu to address any cancellations. 

Dorm rooms 

If you plan to request dorm housing, please register by May 15.
Dorm rooms are available on a first-come, first-served basis and may fill before the deadline.

Vendors

• Vendor Space Only – $125
  • Vendor exhibit space (one 6-ft table & two chairs)
  • Maximum of two representative permitted per table
• Vendor presentation opportunity - submit before April 17 for consideration
• Vendor representatives must register as attendee in order to attend sessions
• Extra tables available at an additional cost

Sponsors

For those interested in sponsoring the conference, please fill out the sponsor registration below to confirm your sponsorship. Once complete, you will receive additional information regarding your benefits. 

Additional information

Please be sure review all information about registration, vendor space, lodging, travel and sponsorships at the Heartland Apicultural Society's website before completing the appropriate forms below. We look forward to welcoming you in 2026!

Acknowledgments

This program is supported by donations to Michigan State University Extension.

Thank you to the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development for securing funding from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for Michigan State University to implement strategies in the Managed Pollinator Protection Plan.

This work is supported by the Crop Protection and Pest Management Program [grant no 2024-70006-43569] from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture.

Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the view of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.