Monarch pupae

Symposium October 30 & 31  2010

Location: Springhill Suites, Orlando, FL

http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/mcosa-springhill-suites-orlando-airport/ 

Association for Butterflies 2010 Annual Symposium was held in Orlando, Florida at the end of October.  Members and friends from many states gathered for 2 days of fun and butterfly farming education in a congenial setting.  The diversity of speakers was evident in the topics discussed, which ranged from:

• Hydroponics – Tin Blank of Future Growing talked to attendees about the pros and cons of hydroponic growing of butterfly host plants for butterfly farm and butterfly breeding production.
• Social Marketing – Farrah Pirkle of Marketing Mud shared the purposes and advantages of marketing through twitter, facebook, blogs, and other means in today’s internet world.  Farrah shared tips and websites that work together to strengthen a butterfly farmers social marketing reach.
• Beneficial Insects– Stephen Smith presented a Beneficial Insects program shared by Gabe of Koppert, Inc.  The advantages and disadvantages of beneficial insects vs insecticides were shared with butterfly farmers and butterfly breeders.
• Greenhouses – Tom Sheppard of Imperial Builders and Supply shared information about types of greenhouse structures, greenhouse coverings, and more. 
• Artificial Diet - Dr. Jim Nation, University of Florida, spoke to attendees about the use of artificial diet.  Dr. and Mrs. Nation spent the entire day with symposium attendees, visiting and sharing in butterfly talk with butterfly farmers.
• Office Management – Michelle Smith talked about managing the office of a butterfly farm.  She gave out links to free programs that can be used for bookkeeping and other office management essentials. 
• Hospice Fundraising – Edith Smith shared how Hospice of Marion County holds a two-day field trip butterfly educational program for local schools and netted over 16,000 dollars for the two days.  Edith shared how those two days brought net income of $2,000 to her butterfly farm and shared the butterfly presentation she does each year for the event’s attendees – hundreds of K-3^rd graders..
• Basic Computing for Small Businesses – David Smith shared computer basics that help small businesses.  

Butterfly farmers watching a presentation at the 2010 Butterfly Symposium

There was definitely something for everyone!  An auction was also held for the first time, netting extra funds for the AFB.  A few of the interesting array of items offered included a beautiful framed Blue Morpho Butterfly display, a unique hand-turned butterfly motif pottery  vase, Monarch and Painted Lady start up spring stock, 24 monarchs, and other butterfly-related items. 

The participants were provided with biographical information on each of the well-qualified speakers and a CD of the material covered was mailed to each person following the butterfly farmer’s symposium.  Friday night’s dinner was “on your own” and Saturday’s dinner was well-attended by our group at a nearby restaurant.  The exchange of butterfly farming ideas was a great learning experience with most people reluctant to leave!  We look forward to the coming year’s Association for Butterflies symposium which will be held at the same hotel in Orlando, FL. 

Stephen Smith giving the "Beneficial Insect" presentation