Your Complete Guide to Large Group Lodging for the North American Honey Bee Expo 2026 in Louisville Kentucky

We’ll show you exactly how to plan the perfect large group stay for the North American Honey Bee Expo, January 8-10, 2026, at the Kentucky Expo Center. Our large properties have become the unofficial headquarters for large beekeeping groups visiting Louisville.

 

 

 

Why Beekeeping Teams Choose Private Vacation Rentals for NAHBE 2026

The numbers tell the story. Over 3,200 beekeepers attended last year’s expo.

Hotels near the Kentucky Exposition Center fill up fast.

Smart beekeeping associations book entire properties instead. Your crew stays together. You control the schedule. You save money on group rates.

 

 

 

 

Planning Your Beekeeping Conference Accommodations January 8-10, 2026

The North American Honey Bee Expo runs Thursday through Saturday at 937 Phillips Lane. Most attendees will arrive Wednesday night. Many stay through Sunday for bourbon distillery tours after the show.

Book your large group vacation rental by October 2025. Early bird expo tickets end November 30th. Hotels can require room block for group over eight people.

Our properties sleep 10-50 guests in real beds. No pullout couches. No sharing rooms with strangers.

 

 

 

Essential Amenities for Beekeeping Industry Teams at Kentucky Expo Center Events

Beekeepers need specific features during multi-day conferences:

Meeting spaces for morning briefings before expo sessions start at 1 PM Thursday. Our properties include dedicated conference areas with TVs for presentations.

Full kitchens to prep meals for your crew. Save hundreds versus restaurant bills. Stock up on coffee for those early vendor setup times.

Multiple bathrooms – Nobody waits in line during morning rush.

Parking for trucks and trailers. All properties include free parking. No daily fees like the $20- $30 at at hotel parking garages in downtown Louisville.

Laundry facilities for extended stays. Essential when combining expo attendance with supplier visits.

 

Transportation Solutions for Beekeeping Conference Groups in Louisville January 2026

The Kentucky Exposition Center sits 10 minutes from downtown Louisville. 5 minutes from the airport.

Large group transportation requires planning. Book 14-passenger vans through local providers by November. Uber XL vehicles handle 6-person teams.

Many beekeeping businesses rent 12-passenger vans at Louisville Muhammad Ali Airport. Reserve early for January conference season rates.

 

 

 

 

What Beekeeping Industry Professionals Do After Expo Hours in Louisville

The vendor floor closes at 7 PM Friday. Speaker sessions end by 5 PM daily. Your crew needs evening plans.

 

Kentucky Bourbon Trail Tours for Beekeeping Conference Attendees

Book private bourbon distillery tours for groups over 10 people. Angel’s Envy limits tours to 12 guests for intimate experiences. Old Forester on Whiskey Row offers after-hours group tastings.

Evan Williams Bourbon Experience provides special rates for groups over 20. Located at 528 West Main Street. Open until 5 PM weekdays.

 

Team Building Activities for Commercial Beekeeping Crews

Private bourbon tours build team cohesion. Mint Julep Experiences handles groups up to 40 people. Three distillery visits in one day. Lunch included.

Kentucky Bourbon Boys offers specialty packages. Add shooting clays or golf to distillery tours. Perfect for commercial beekeeping company retreats.

 

Dining Options for Large Beekeeping Industry Groups in Louisville

NuLu district restaurants accommodate groups over 15 with advance notice. Germantown spots offer private dining rooms.

Book dinner reservations before December 15th. January sees multiple conventions at Kentucky Expo Center. Competition for large group tables gets fierce.

 

 

 

Next Gen Bee Program Participants Need Group Housing Solutions

The expo awards 40 sponsored spots to young beekeepers. Applications close August 31, 2025. Recipients announced September 15, 2025.

University beekeeping clubs often travel together. State beekeeping associations bring student members. These groups need affordable large group accommodations.

Split a 20-person property five ways. Each person pays less than a hotel room. Everyone stays together for late-night hive management discussions.

 

Maximizing Your North American Honey Bee Expo 2026 Experience

Successful commercial beekeeping operations treat NAHBE as a business investment. Plan these extras:

Pre-Expo Supplier Meetings

Many vendors arrive Tuesday for setup. Schedule private equipment demonstrations before crowds arrive. Our homes provide meeting spaces for supplier presentations.

Kentucky State Beekeepers Association Connections

KSBA members get special expo pricing. The Kentuckiana Beekeepers Association meets monthly in Louisville. Connect with local commercial operations.

Extended Stays for Regional Apiary Visits

Commercial beekeepers often extend trips to visit Kentucky apiaries. January offers perfect dormant season hive inspection opportunities.

Our weekly rates save 20% versus nightly pricing. Perfect for combining conference attendance with regional business development.

 

Booking Timeline for Beekeeping Industry Groups

August 2025: Next Gen Bee Program applications due. Start planning group attendance.

September 2025: Book large group vacation rentals. Best properties sell out early.

October 2025: Reserve rental vans. Book bourbon tour experiences.

November 30, 2025: Early bird expo ticket deadline. Make restaurant reservations.

December 20, 2025: Last day for expo ticket refunds. Finalize room assignments.

January 6, 2026: Grocery delivery for group meals. Confirm transportation.

 

 

Why Louisville Hotels Can’t Match Private Rentals for Beekeeping Conferences

The math is simple. Ten hotel rooms at $195 per night equals $1,950. Plus $15 parking per car. Plus resort fees.

Our 20-guest properties average $1,200 nightly. Full kitchens save $50 per person daily on meals. Free parking. No hidden fees.

Commercial beekeeping operations run on tight margins. Every dollar saved goes back into hive management. Smart teams book entire homes.

 

Local Insights for Visiting Beekeepers During January 2026

Louisville weather in January averages 35-45 degrees. Pack layers for walking between expo buildings.

The Kentucky Exposition Center spans multiple buildings. Comfortable shoes are essential. The trade show covers 150,000 square feet.

Downtown Louisville sits 15 minutes north via I-65. The airport is 5 minutes south. Both offer dining options beyond expo center choices.

 

 

 

 

Special Considerations for International Beekeeping Delegations

International beekeeping associations need specific amenities. Full kitchens allow dietary accommodation. Private homes offer prayer spaces.

Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport handles direct flights from major hubs. Customs clearance for bee equipment requires documentation. Start visa applications by October 2025.

 

Combining Business and Pleasure for Beekeeping Industry Travelers

The expo ends Saturday at 7 PM. Many groups stay through Sunday for Louisville experiences.

Churchill Downs offers winter simulcast racing. The Muhammad Ali Center opens at noon Sundays. Bourbon distilleries provide excellent Sunday tour availability.

 

 

 

 

Your January 2026 Beekeeping Conference Success Starts Now

The North American Honey Bee Expo brings together commercial operations, backyard beekeepers, and industry innovators. Over 3,200 attendees create valuable networking opportunities.

Book your large group accommodation by September 2025. The best properties near Kentucky Expo Center disappear fast. Smart beekeeping businesses plan early.

 

Ready to House Your Beekeeping Crew for NAHBE 2026?

Super Stays specializes in luxury large group vacation rentals. Our Louisville properties sleep 10-42 guests. Full amenities for commercial beekeeping teams.

Visit our website to check availability for January 8-10, 2026. See why 47 beekeeping industry groups chose private homes over hotels. Your crew deserves better than cramped hotel rooms.

Lock in your North American Honey Bee Expo accommodations today. The best beekeeping conference experience starts with the right home base.