BEECON 2026
is coming to Queens!
Dates and venue are coming soon. Join our list to get the announcement first and to hear when tickets open.
From BEECON 2025
GETTING TO BEECON
Holy Family–St. Thomas Aquinas Church
249 9th Street
(at the corner of 4th Ave & 8th St)
Park Slope, Brooklyn, NY 11215
Conference Entrance:
Please enter through the church parking lot on 8th Street near 4th Avenue. Signs and volunteers will help guide you upon arrival.
By Subway
Take the R train to 9th Street, which connects underground to the 4th Ave–9th Street Station.
By Bus
The B63 bus runs along both 4th Avenue and 5th Avenue with stops just steps from the church.
Walking
From anywhere in Park Slope, head toward 4th Avenue and 9th Street. The main conference entrance will be around the corner, through the parking lot on 8th Street.
By Car
Use GPS to navigate to 249 9th Street, Brooklyn, NY 11215.
Limited street parking is available nearby. Be sure to check local parking signs and alternate-side regulations.
Welcome to the First BEECON
BEECON is the official annual conference of the New York Bee Club, bringing together beekeepers and bee lovers from across the city for a day of learning, networking, and community-building. As our first-ever club-wide conference, this event will be an opportunity to connect with fellow beekeepers, participate in important club decisions, and hear from expert speakers on topics that matter to NYC beekeepers.
📅 Date-Time: 10/18/2025, 12:30-4pm
📍 Location: St Thomas Church, 249 9th St, Brooklyn, NY 11215
FREE Gift for the First 50!
Claim one of the first 50 tickets and get a free commemorative pin… a limited keepsake from our very first conference.
Register now to claim yours!
What to Expect
BEECON 2025 is more than just a conference, it’s a gathering place for anyone passionate about bees, nature, and community. Whether you’re a seasoned beekeeper, a beginner, or just bee-curious, you’ll leave with fresh ideas, practical skills, and new connections.
12:00
Doors Open
12:30 – 12:55
Club Business Meeting (members only)
1:00 – 1:45
Kevin Inglin – The Gadget Garage
2:15 – 2:45
Breakout Sessions
Choose from a variety of small-group discussions and hands-on learning opportunities.
3:00 – 3:30
Sarah Kornbluth – Wild Bees of NYC
3:45 – 4:00
Awards & Wrap-Up
5:00 – Beekeeper Happy Hour at The Commonwealth Bar
Speakers
Kevin Inglin
EAS Master Beekeeper Kevin Inglin has been sharing his beekeeping journey since 2008 through his apiary, Sunshine Hill Farms, and the long-running Beekeeper’s Corner Podcast. With over 280 episodes, he’s inspired countless beekeepers to keep learning and experimenting.
In his talk, The Gadget Garage, Kevin will showcase clever tools and inventive hacks that solve real-world hive challenges… from DIY builds to smart market finds. You’ll leave with practical ideas (and maybe a few bee geek dreams) to try in your own apiary.
Learn more about Kevin at bkcorner.org
Sarah Kornbluth
Sarah Kornbluth is a bee biologist and Field Associate at the American Museum of Natural History, where she studies and identifies bees from across the country. Her research explores how habitat and human management affect bee communities in urban, suburban, and rural landscapes.
In her talk, Wild Bees of New York City, Sarah will introduce you to the 170+ species of native bees that call our city home… from bumble bees to leafcutters and sweat bees. You’ll learn how their behaviors, habitats, and floral needs shape our environment, and how small actions can make a big difference in supporting their survival.
Learn more about Sarah at AMNH.org
Photo Credit: Denis Finnin
Breakout Sessions
Helen Colhoun-Wassinger
HNH Apiary – Queens
Stop the Swarm: Prevention & Management in the City
Learn practical strategies to prevent swarming before it starts and smart ways to handle it when it does. Perfect for beekeepers managing hives in tight urban spaces.
Amy Grumbling
The Bee Conservancy – Brooklyn
Wild Bees & Community Science
Discover how anyone can help study and protect NYC’s native bees. Amy will show how simple tools like iNaturalist make it easy to observe, record, and share data that supports real conservation efforts.
Nick Rozak
Greenstinger Beekeeping – Staten Island
Wasps of NYC
Yellow Jackets to Hornets; learn to identify common wasps that interact with honeybees around NYC. How do they live? Are they a problem to our bees? What we should be looking out for as Beekeepers.
Beekeeper Happy Hour
Join us just four blocks from St. Thomas Church for drinks, pinball, and good company at The Commonwealth Bar… a laid-back Park Slope spot perfect for unwinding after BEECON. 5-7PM
📍497 5th Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11215
Special Thanks!
A heartfelt thank-you to fellow beekeeper, Father Alex and the Holy Family–St. Thomas Aquinas Church for generously providing the space to host BEECON. We’re deeply grateful for their support and hospitality.
This event was made possible in large part through funds raised from our participation in NYC DOT’s Summer Streets, and we extend a special thanks to all of the club volunteers whose time and energy made that effort, and this conference possible.
We also want to thank the businesses, organizations, and individuals who donated items for our raffle and supported the event. Your contributions helped make BEECON more fun, rewarding, and successful for everyone who attended.
Finally, our sincere thanks to everyone involved in bringing BEECON to life.
FAQs
Do I have to be a member to attend?
No, BEECON is open to all! However, only members will receive free admission and can participate in the business meeting and elections.
Will there be recordings of the sessions?
This year’s event will be in-person only, but we hope to offer more digital content in the future.
How do I register for the conference?
Registration is LIVE. Visit the REGISTRATION PAGE to claim your ticket(s).
Tickets are limited and on a first-come, first-served basis. Please contact us by email at admin [at] nybeeclub.org if you have any technical issues.
When Will The Final Schedule Be Posted?
While things can change up to the last minute, the posted schedule above will serve as our final schedule.
