Door Prize Committee

[Slowmodem]

I am on the door prize committee for the Cherokee Beekkeepers Association Short Course Feb. 1st.  I have been in the process of emailing bee companies to see if I can get them to send trinkets and gifts related to bee keeping.  So far I have sent to WT Kelley, Brushy Mountain, Mann Lake, Dadant, Maxant, Pigeon Mountain, and some other smaller outfits.

Does anyone have any suggestions on other suppliers I could email this request to?  Considering 90% of the people that show up never get into beekeeping, I was looking more for key chains, trinkets, candles, honey dippers, etc.

Any ideas?   

[Bakersdozen]

Everyone likes a t shirt or baseball hat.  Do you have any of those with the club's logo on it?  How about a book or two from wicwas press owned by Dr. Larry Connor?  Are there any local beekeeping suppliers?  They might be willing to donate some frames, hive tools, feeders, smokers and smoker fuel or a gift certificate for a queen.
There are also the bottle suppliers.  A box of a dozen honey bottles would be nice.
You might contact Golden Heritage Foods at www.ghfllc.com out of Hillsboro, KS.  There are distributors of honey products.  Busy Bee is one of their labels.  Alan Graham 800-530-5827 Is listed on their website as a contact person.  At one such event I received a t-shirt donated by them.

That is really amazing that only 10% of the newbies ever get into beekeeping.  Is you class for free?

[Slowmodem]

That is really amazing that only 10% of the newbies ever get into beekeeping.  Is you class for free?

Thanks for the ideas.  Yes, the class is free and open to anyone.  It  is advertised in the local paper for about a month before the event.

[Slowmodem]

I want to stay within the bounds of forum etiquette, but I do want to acknowledge good folks that I have heard from so far.  Pigeon Mountain Trading Company, Lafayette, GA; B&B Honey Farm, Houston, MN; Betterbee, Greenwich, NY; Miller Bee Supply, North Wilkesboro, NC; Heartwood Birds Bees and Boards, Star, MS; and Honey Hive Farms, Winfield, MO have all sent replies and Betterbee has already sent me tracking information on the package!

I haven't heard anything from the "big boys" yet.  But I do appreciate the smaller outfits and their personal replies (and there's some great stuff on the way, too!).  I will definitely look more at their sites when I plan to make a purchase in the future.

[Bakersdozen]

When distributing the door prizes, a mention of which business donated would be a good gesture.  A list of donors could easily be added to the day's itinerary too.
Our local bee club hosts two large education events every year.  In March, we have a beginning beekeepers two day event.  We charge $30 for members and $45 for non members .  The $45 includes a one year member fee to the club.  This eliminates a lot of curious, but not too serious people.  It also ensures plenty of room for the serious beginner who really wants to learn and who has legitimate questions.
Our guest speaker this year is going to be Dr. Dewey Caron.  Seasoned club members will fill in the gaps with the basics.  Lunch is provided.   A copy of Dr. Caron's latest edition of Honey Bee Biology and Beekeeping will also be given to each person registered.  His book currently sells for $57.00 on Amazon.  While it sounds expensive to attend, it's an excellent value and it serves the purpose of eliminating the mildly curious.

[Slowmodem]

I will make a list to pass out to those that want one.  And I am going to talk to the website maintainer to maybe make a separate page for suppliers and maybe asterisk the ones that donated door prizes.  And most are sending catalogs and/or pamphlets to give away, too.  As I am still one of the newer members of the Assn., I don't want to suggest too many radical changes.  I'm just trying to help.

[efmesch]

I want to stay within the bounds of forum etiquette, but I do want to acknowledge good folks that I have heard from so far.  .......

I haven't heard anything from the "big boys" yet.  But I do appreciate the smaller outfits and their personal replies (and there's some great stuff on the way, too!).  I will definitely look more at their sites when I plan to make a purchase in the future.

To me it sounds like good etiquette making the acknowledgement.  Good for you! 
If it isn't too much effort on your part, you could send a link to those donors so they can see they're appreciated on the WORLDWIDE BEEKEEPING forum.  And for that matter, a link to show the "big boys" what they are missinng might give them some encouragement to respond in the positive way. 

[Slowmodem]

I really didn't know if I'd get any replies or not.  I am pleasantly surprised by the response so far.  I am going to do everything I can to express my appreciation to those that donate.

[iddee]

Choose the one who gives you the most. Send them a link to here. Tell them we appreciate them giving, and would like to give back. We will offer them the space above Rob's ad on the right of the front page for 30 days free.

[apisbees]

you can request their catalog along with their donation so it can be added to the attendees package.

[Slowmodem]

Choose the one who gives you the most. Send them a link to here. Tell them we appreciate them giving, and would like to give back. We will offer them the space above Rob's ad on the right of the front page for 30 days free.

Wow!  That's very gracious!

[Bakersdozen]

As I am still one of the newer members of the Assn., I don't want to suggest too many radical changes.  I'm just trying to help.

I fully understand.  In my local organization we have some board members that have this down pat.  They go into auto-pilot! and a wise person will just stay out of their way!

efmesch- How true.  Giving acknowledgment would be a display of good etiquette.

[DLMKA]

Ask club members if they make soap, lip balm, hand creme, etc that they would donate. We have a lady in our club that always donates about 10 bars of handmade lye soap to give away as door prizes every year. She gets free advertising out of it too. Everyone wins.