Telford International Centre recently hosted The Beekeeping Show for the third year in a row, a premier UK beekeeping trade show attracting visitors from across the world. The one day event saw over 1,850 visitors attend and 69 exhibition stands.

To celebrate the success of their 2025 event, we spoke to the organisers Alex Ellis, Operations Director, and Rob Nickless, Financial Director, to find out more about them, the show and what their plans are for the future.

Alex is the founding partner of Border Honey, a family business which specialises in British-reared queen bees, beeswax processing and bulk honey production. He looked after Membership Services for the Bee Farmers' Association (BFA) from 2014 until 2023, a role which included organisation of industry events both here in the UK and overseas. He was Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Bee Craft Limited, publishers of BeeCraft magazine, from its centenary in 2019 until 2022. Alex has a background in the creative industries and education sectors; he started his working life in commercial exhibitions and events.

Rob is the current chair of the Bee Farmers’ Association (BFA), and has led on the beekeeping equipment sales for the BFA since 2012. Through this, Rob has built up excellent relationships with UK and European suppliers for beekeeping equipment and supplies. With his wife, he runs a commercial beekeeping operation, Meadow Honey Farm, focused on honey production. Rob comes from an agricultural background and has undertaken commercial finance roles within the computer software sector.

 

What prompted you to set up the Beekeeping Show?

We felt that the UK would benefit from a show which offered a higher quality all-round experience, than established events for both visitors and exhibitors alike. We set out our aim: to stage a first-class not to be missed annual event for visitors and exhibitors alike, specifically to:

• Interested beekeepers of all types, scales and experience
• Attract comprehensive representation of the UK manufacturers and suppliers
• Welcome European and worldwide suppliers
• Develop the show into an internationally recognised trade event

 

Why is it important to have a live exhibition?

We have found that the live show provides two key benefits: the opportunity for beekeepers of all backgrounds and experience to meet and interact with each other. Also, the chance to see the largest range of beekeeping equipment in one place. Allowing visitors to make comparisons, purchasing decisions and to obtain detailed advice and guidance.

 

What is the easiest and hardest part of organising an exhibition?

We aim to maintain a freshness to the show each year, so visitor and exhibitor feedback is really important in this respect. At the beginning, marketing the event was our key concern as budgets were tight. By involving some of the leading beekeeping YouTubers in the event, we have benefited from access to their channel audiences - our key target audience for the event.

Thorough financial planning has helped us to establish a firm financial foundation for the show and we are reinvesting each year to grow and develop the event.

The team at TIC have been brilliant from the outset in supporting our plans and ensuring smooth delivery of each event.

 

What are your plans for the Show?

We have exciting plans for 2026, a special event at the venue the evening before next year's show. This will feature Canadian commercial beekeeper Ian Steppler, a beekeeper with one of the biggest worldwide YouTube followings. We intend to expand our appeal beyond the UK to attract more European and global engagement with contributors, exhibitors and visitors alike.

 

What is the best piece of feedback you have received from the Show?

As non-professionals within the events industry, it is really satisfying to hear we have done a 'good job' with organisation from both visitor and exhibitor perspectives. That said, the most useful feedback is that which helps us improve the show from year to year and offers ideas and suggestions for development.

 

The team at TIC enjoy working with Alex, Rob and their team during the event to ensure everything runs smoothly. TIC have had the pleasure of watching the show grow over the last three years, and we are looking forward to watching the trade show grow even more with the venue.

The Beekeeping Show have confirmed their 2026 event at Telford International Centre on 20-21 February 2026. To which they are planning to hold their biggest event yet.

For more details click here