Celebrating 40 years at WBFI 2024 Annual Meeting
View 2024 Photos Here! Photo credit: RL Martin.
The Wild Bird Feeding Institute (WBFI) successfully hosted its 2024 Annual Meeting from November 12–14 in Charleston, South Carolina, at the Hyatt Place/Hyatt House in the Historic District.
This event marked the 40th anniversary of the WBFI, bringing together industry leaders and birding enthusiasts to celebrate advancements in the bird-feeding hobby. Over 115 people from across the U.S. and Canada came to Charleston, with some representatives also from overseas.
Key highlights included a keynote presentation by keynote Keith Roberts on integrating AI into business practices, expert-led discussions on commodity markets and conservation strategies, and panels discussing research and industry trends. The WBFI meeting also featured engaging activities such as local birding tours each morning, the return of a golf tournament, and receptions including a special anniversary recognizing long-time WBFI members.
The celebration of the institute’s four decades of impact further emphasized the WBFI mission to support and grow the wild bird feeding community. Members rank the annual meeting event as one of the highest value benefits for WBFI membership, for providing valuable insights and second-to-known networking opportunities.
Post-event attendee resources:
- Holiday Gift Guide – DEADLINE EXTENDED TO NOVEMBER 25th - SUBMIT HERE. 20% discount on all advertising packages for WBFI annual meeting attendees!
- View / Download 2024 Annual Meeting Presentations
- #FEEDSMART Resources for download or ordered printing.
- Webinar Registration for follow-up presentation with Dr. Chris Kuehl on economic and political update – December 11, 11 AM CT.
- Donate to the Research Foundation
- Additional WBFI member benefits
Save the date for next year's event in San Antonio, TX Nov 4-6, 2025!
What attendees had to say...
"I had the privilege of attending the WBFI Annual Meetings in Charleston, SC, and it was an incredibly enriching experience. From start to finish, the event was meticulously organized, offering a perfect blend of networking opportunities, industry insights, and engaging discussions. The speakers were knowledgeable, addressing key trends and challenges in the field, while the variety of sessions allowed for a deep dive into both current and future topics.
Charleston itself provided a charming backdrop, with its rich history and vibrant culture adding to the overall experience. The social events were well-executed, fostering meaningful connections and making it easy to engage with both new and familiar faces.
As a first-year attendee, the WBFI Annual Meetings in Charleston exceeded expectations and left me feeling inspired and better equipped to tackle the evolving landscape of our industry. I’m already looking forward to next year’s event!" - Christopher George, Lebanon Seaboard Corporation
"The WBFI Annual Event continues to be an amazing opportunity to connect with Industry Experts year after year. A great way to learn more about this industry and stay up to date with trends and changes in the industry. It is a low-cost event with high-caliber information and people in a short amount of time. Just the right mix of education and networking." - Debbie Brummell, Essex Topcrop Sales Ltd.