BEE VENOM COLLECTION

TRAINING COURSE

August 21st-26th, 2005 - Dublin, Ireland

Introduction

The Beginner Bee Venom Collection Training Course is intended to provide basic knowledge and hands on skills for bee venom collection. Participants will become familiar with the theoretical and practical aspects of venom collection as well safety for the collector and the environment. There will be an updating on marketing strategies of raw material and new trends for product development. At the end of the course participants will be able to answer the challenge and add extra value to their beekeeping or bee venom related activities.

Who is the Course Intended For?

Those acutely interested in bee venom collection will be most interested as well as those who have a basic knowledge of beekeeping who wish to expand their knowledge of this fascinating activity. Most likely participants would include: beekeepers, students and instructors of beekeeper training schools, beehive product developers, researchers, apitherapists, veterinarian students and instructors, homeopathic remedy manufacturers, general practitioners, naturopaths and other health care practitioners.

Number of Participants

The number of participants is limited to the available space around our exhibition booth #F13 at the ApiExpo 2005 in Dublin, Ireland.

Dates and Program Duration

The FREE Bee Venom Collection Course will be held each day during the ApiExpo 2005 at 13:00h at our exhibition booth #F13 between August 22nd, 2005 to August 25th, 2005.

Program

Monday; August 22nd, 2005 - Bee venom collection course at 13:00h (1:00 pm)

Tuesday; August 23rd, 2005 - Bee venom collection course at 13:00h (1:00 pm) and the auction of a VC-101 collector device

Wednesday; August 24th, 2005 - Bee venom collection course at 13:00h (1:00 pm)

Thursday; August 25th, 2005 - Bee venom collection course at 13:00h (1:00 pm) and the auction of a VC-4FK collector device

Auction

We will auction two of our bee venom collector devices just after the Bee Venom Collection Course; one on Tuesday and one on Thursday. You can win and take home a $350.00USD, or a $550.00USD collector device for as little as Eur 20.00, the cost of a ticket. Tickets can be purchased at booth #F13.

Auction Days

Tuesday; August 23rd, 2005: VC-101

Thursday; August 25th, 2005 - VC-4FK

The lucky winner will get the following with a specific device:

1 pc Impulse Generator (VC-101 or VC-4FK)

1 pc Collector frame (VC-101: 600 cm2 frame; VC-4FK: 1200 cm2 frame)

1 pc Diaphragm

3 m Connecting Wires

1 pc Lure Solution

1 pc Venom Scraper

1 pc Warning Sign

1 pc Owner's Manual

Venue

The 39th Apimondia International Apicultural Congress, Dublin, Ireland, ApiExpo 2005, Booth: #F13, Time: Each day between August 22nd, 2005 to August 25th, 2005 (four days) at 13:00h. Web site: www.apimondia2005.com

Transportation

Participants are responsible for their own transportation to and from the course.

Previous Experience

Participants will obtain the greatest benefit if they have an understanding of the basic terminology of beekeeping and some practical experience as a beekeeper. Participants with no previous beekeeping experience may attend the Course, but it is recommended they read up on primary beekeeping.

Course Content

• Theory and materials of venom collection
• Parts and parameters of a bee venom collector device
• Generations of collector devices
• Conditions of venom collection
• Safety of venom collection
• Preparation for collection
• Documentation
• Weather effects
• Types of bee venom
• Methods of venom collection
• Scraping off the venom
• Price of bee venom
• Bee venom products
• Commercial venom collection and its equipment

Venom Collector Simulator

During the ApiExpo 2005 and the Course, participants will have the opportunity to see components that make up a collector device, operate a Bee Venom Collector Simulator that is based on the VC-6F semi-commercial collector device, measure and compare different output parameters and output load of a device displayed on a large LCD display that is connected to an oscilloscope, listen the sound of bees when exposed to electrical shock stimulation, view safety equipment and bee venom products.

Picture Taking

All participants are encouraged and free to take notes, photos, digital pictures and videos during the ApiExpo 2005 and the Bee Venom Collection Course at our booth #F13.

Collector Devices

The following bee venom collector devices will be displayed during the ApiExpo 2005:

VC-101

VC-Starter Kit

VC-Starter Kit Plus

VC-4FK

VC-6F

VC-12F

VC-12FX