Beekeepers seek Wood County Commission support for 2027 conference funding.

PARKERSBURG, W.Va. (WTAP) - The Wood County Commission received a support request from the Mid-Ohio Valley Beekeepers Association, which will host the 2027 West Virginia State Beekeepers Association conference in Parkersburg for the first time in years. Bob Spencer, co-owner of Bearsville Bees and a representative of the association, informed the commissioners that the Grand Pointe venue is booked for February 18-19, 2027, with vendors and guests arriving two days prior. The conference will accommodate 300 participants, attracting beekeepers from West Virginia, Kentucky, Virginia, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. Spencer estimated that over 200 attendees, or about 70%, will require hotel accommodations, leading to an estimated economic impact of $96,000 for the area.