THE Gold Coast is abuzz with bee industry professionals as the third Australian Bee Conference kicks off. 

This is the first time the congress has gathered in three decades, with previous conferences being held in 1972, and 1988.

Running from June 27-30, the theme of this year’s congress is ‘Beekeeping and Pollination for the Future’.

Program sessions with cover topics including improving and maximising profits from pollination services, pesticide management, bee breeding, exotic pest threats, honey bee viruses, landscape design to support pollination, honey bee nutrition and the global honey trade.

Members of the AgriFutures Honey Bee and Pollination Advisory Panel and associated researchers are just some of the industry representative delivering presentations at the congress.

AgriFutures Australia Program Manager, Research and Innovation, Dr Melanie Bradley, said she is anticipating an exciting and informative event that will generate innovative ideas for the AgriFutures Honey Bee and Pollination Program.

“The Australian Bee Congress is an opportunity for program stakeholders, including beekeepers and researchers, to meet, share new knowledge and discuss research opportunities for the program,” Dr Bradley said.

“The honey bee and pollination industry is an established and mature industry that has exciting growth potential. This event is important for raising the industry’s profile and highlighting the relevance of research to the beekeeping community.

“We’re thrilled to be involved and to have so many of our expert researchers presenting at the event.”