The Buzz Starts Here
A Hive in the Heart of Edmonton
Right above the river valley, the Edmonton Convention Centre is home to a thriving collection of honeybee hives that houses more than 50,000 bees at the height of summer. Our colony, made up of a single queen bee, a few hundred drone bees, and tens of thousands of hardworking worker bees, pollinate the surrounding plants and river valley. Each year, our hives produce honey with a one-of-a-kind flavour.
From Hive to Table
Our award-winning culinary team embraces the seasonal harvest, creating unique dishes and drinks infused with the honey harvested on-site. The Honey Bee Menu features rotating selections that showcase the versatility of our honey, from desserts and syrups to glazes and cocktails. Every dish we create tells a story of sustainability and locally sourced ingredients.
“It’s truly amazing getting to utilize our hard-working bees to provide a unique experience for guests! Here at the Edmonton Convention Centre, we’re always looking for ways to improve and innovate, so having Bee Hives here on-site makes it significantly ‘sweeter’.”
– Executive Chef Serge Belair
Why Bees Matter
Bees are critical to sustainability Alberta’s food system. By caring for rooftop hives and planting pollinator-friendly flowers, the Edmonton Convention Centre plays a role in sustaining urban biodiversity. Many plants depend on pollinator bees for reproduction, and our bees contribute to production of fruit and seed. Our bees are essential to Edmonton’s local ecosystem.
What to Do If You See the Hives
- Observe calmly: bees are focused on collecting nectar and pollen. In other words, they’re working!
- Move slowly and avoid swatting at them
- If you feel uncomfortable, calmly walk away from the area
- If you notice unusual bee activity near event spaces, please notify venue staff or security
Meet Our Beekeeper
Our hives are cared for by Dustin Bajer, an Edmonton-based educator, master gardener and beekeeper with more than a decade of experience. Dustin also teaches beekeeping courses and manages hives across the city, including at the Edmonton Valley Zoo.
Inquire About the Bees for Your Event
Our rooftop honeybees don’t just support sustainability, they can also add a unique, local story to your event. Planners and guests are welcome to ask about incorporating our bees into their experience, whether through:
- Menu features using our venue-harvested honey.
- Special cocktails or desserts highlighting seasonal honey flavours.
Contact us for inquiries!
