Our Bees - Edmonton EXPO Centre

Rooftop Beehives!

On the rooftop of the Edmonton EXPO Centre’s building, there are honeybee hives hosting thousands of bees! Placed next to native pollinator plants, they play an important role in urban biodiversity and help with pollination!

The hives not only provide honey for our award-winning culinary team, but also represent an important step in building a more resilient local food ecosystem. They support pollination of our local plants while giving guests a chance to learn about the vital role bees play in sustainability. The colonies quickly expand through the summer and are safely located on the rooftop of the venue.

Sweet Benefits

The honey produced at the Edmonton EXPO Centre has a distinct flavour shaped by Edmonton’s urban environment. Our culinary team incorporates this harvest into dishes and desserts, creating a truly Edmonton food experience! In 2025, The Edmonton EXPO Centre produced 127 pounds of honey-that’s enough to sweeten approximately 4,000 cups of tea!

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

Hotels for bees?

The Edmonton EXPO Centre has been home to four honeybee hotels, each sponsored by exciting events: National Tourism Week 2023, KDays 2023, Game Con Canada 2024, and Volleyball Youth Nationals 2024. They are located right outside Entrance 5.

Meet Our Beekeeper

Our hives are cared for by Dustin Bajer, an Edmonton-based educator, master gardener and beekeeper for more than a decade of experience. Dustin also teaches beekeeping courses and manages hives across the city, including at the Edmonton Valley Zoo.

Did You Know?

Did you know that most of Alberta’s 300 bee species are solitary bees? Unlike the honeybees, these little guys work alone and live alone–they don’t sting or make honey, but they’re fantastic pollinators!

Our bee hotels are crafted from recycled driftwood, featuring tiny holes where female bees lay their eggs along with pollen. The eggs hatch into larvae, which then develop into pupae and chew their way out when they are adult and ready.

Next time you check out the bee hotels, if you notice holes that are sealed off, it means bee larvae are developing inside!

Inquiring 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.