2026 Tours

Tuesday, November 3 – Thursday, November 5, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.  
Limited to 15 guests with a 6-guest minimum 
Fee: $310

Are you interested in working with ground beetles for your research? Join the upcoming ground beetle identification workshop to learn how to identify Carabidae! This 3-day workshop will provide a general overview of ground beetle identification and natural history, with a focus on North American genera. All interested individuals are welcome! Participants are highly encouraged to bring their own research specimens to the workshop for identification.

This workshop is a collaboration with the Charles A. Triplehorn Insect Collection at the Museum of Biological Diversity, the Department of Entomology at The Ohio State University, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, and the Entomological Society of America.

Questions? Contact Dr. Kayla I Perry (perry.1864@osu.edu) and Dr. Evan Waite (evan.waite@fdacs.gov)

Attendees should plan to travel to Columbus on Monday, November 2. This workshop is scheduled to take place in advance of the Entomological Collections Network (ECN) meeting taking place Friday, November 6 – Saturday, November 7 prior to the start of Entomology 2026.   

Sunday, November 8, 7:30 – 9 a.m. 
Fee: $45  

Columbus Highlights 5K Run

Join City Fit Tours for a relaxed, social 5K designed for all fitness levels. This guided run moves at a comfortable pace with plenty of opportunities to enjoy Columbus’s riverfront scenery, local landmarks, and vibrant energy along the way.

Discover the stories that shaped the city as you pass highlights like the Scioto River, Nationwide Arena, the Ohio Statehouse, and more. Blending light storytelling, iconic sights, and a fun, inclusive group atmosphere, this experience offers a unique way to connect with the history, culture, and spirit that make Columbus “the heart of it all.”

Columbus Morning Wellness Walk

Kick off the day with an energizing wellness experience that combines movement, mindfulness, and discovery in the heart of downtown Columbus. This guided riverfront wellness walk features light stretching, feel-good movement, scenic waterfront views, and engaging local storytelling — all at a relaxed, approachable pace designed for every fitness level.

Along the way, guests experience iconic sights including the Union Station Arch, the Ohio Statehouse, and the Scioto Riverfront while exploring the stories of resilience, transformation, and renewal that shaped the city. With uplifting moments to pause, move, and recharge, this fun and refreshing experience will leave participants feeling connected, energized, and ready to take on the day.

Sunday, November 8, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.  
Limited to the first 50 registrants  
Fee: $50 members/$75 non-members

https://entsoc.org/events/ecoparasite-workshop  

This workshop provides a crash course on ectoparasites and vectors, crucial for both human and animal health. Participants will gain practical, hands-on experience in identifying common ectoparasites (such as ticks, fleas, mites, and lice) and learn about their diversity and ecological roles. The workshop will cover techniques for safely collecting ectoparasites from animal hosts, with a focus on accurate specimen handling and preservation. Additionally, participants will explore surveillance methods used to monitor vector populations, including mosquito traps and tick collection tools. A key focus will be assessing vector-borne disease risks and developing strategies to prevent bites and disease transmission. This interactive training is designed to equip professionals with the skills to enhance vector surveillance and mitigation efforts in their respective fields.

Attendee registration includes lunch and coffee throughout the day. 

Sunday, November 8, 1-4 p.m.   
Limited to the first 20 registrants 
Fee: $30 

Join us for a hands-on session designed to enhance participants' knowledge of freshwater macroinvertebrates and their ecological roles, primarily for those with little or no aquatic entomology experience. The workshop is held at Ohio State’s outdoor wetlands teaching and research facility and will include hands on insect sampling using various skills and tools, practice with sorting and identifying insects using techniques and keys common to aquatic entomology and discussions on how to implement aquatic sampling into your teaching or research. Participants can keep collected samples for their personal collections. 

Date: Sunday, November 8, 2-5 p.m.  
Limited to the first 20 registrants 
Fee: $40

The Bumble Bee Health and Genetics Laboratory under Dr. James Strange is offering a bumble bee rearing workshop. This workshop will cover 1) nutrition requirements for captive bumble bees, 2) queenright-colony initiation for both commercial and field-caught queens, 2) microcolonies, 3) identification of key colony milestones. Participants will make pollen patties and sucrose solution, will be shown how to start a new bumble bee colony using a newly-mated queen, how to set up and use queenless microcolonies, how to track oviposition and identify important stages in brood development and caste emergence, and will be given dead colonies to learn how to dissect. Participants will be given examples of how to use lab-reared bumble bee colonies for multiple types of scientific experiments, with short presentations given by Bee Lab members. Time permitting, we will also give a tour of the Waterman Farm Controlled Agriculture Research Complex, where commercial bumble bees are deployed to pollinate greenhouse-grown tomatoes and strawberries. Our goal for this workshop is for participants to leave with key knowledge required to successfully rear both commercial and wild bumble bee species in a lab setting, and with an overview of potential uses for lab-reared bumble bees in both scientific investigation and conservation advancements. 

Monday, November 9, 6:30–8 a.m. 
Fee: $40 for members, $10 for the first 281 registered students and early career professionals

The Women & Allies in Entomology Breakfast is an inclusive networking event that connects women and underrepresented groups with mentors and career information. Thanks to our sponsor, Corteva Agriscience, reduced-cost breakfast tickets will be available for $5 to the first 225 Students and Early Career Professionals who register. Doors open at 6:30 a.m.; breakfast is served at 7 a.m. and continues until 8 a.m. Take advantage of the first 30 minutes for extra networking!

Breakfast Choices (to be selected during registration):  

Entrée Plate (AVG-Avoiding Gluten) : Scrambled Eggs, Applewood Smoked Bacon, Breakfast Potatoes with Caramelized Onions and Peppers, Roasted Overnight Tomato  

Dietary Entrée Plate (VGN): Vegan Scrambled Egg, Vegan Sausage Potato Hash with Caramelized Onions, Roasted Overnight Tomato (VGN/AVG)

Included in all plated meals will be sliced fruit, coffee, tea and water.  

Please note that tickets will not be available at the door. All tickets must be purchased in advance via ESA and is setup as a separate ticketed event so that you can choose your breakfast as you register. The only way to secure your spot and access this valuable networking opportunity is to purchase your ticket ahead of time added at the time you register.  

Presenting Author: Esther Ngumbi

Title: The Journey Is Yours: Pushing Boundaries, Claiming Your Space, and Navigating Career Paths with Purpose, Confidence, and Brilliance

Bio: Esther Ngumbi is an Assistant Professor of Entomology and African American Studies at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She is a passionate mentor and has mentored for several programs including President Obama’s Young African Leadership Program. She is a recipient of several fellowships and awards including the Society of Experimental Biology President’s Medal, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Emerging Award for Excellence in Public Engagement award, and the American Association for the Advancement of Science Mani L. Bhaumik Award.  

Tuesday, November 10, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.  
Limited to the first 26 guests with a 10-guest minimum 
Price: $145 per person  

In this hands-on stained-glass workshop, Kara of Good Dea Glass Co. will guide you step by step as you cut, grind, and solder sheet glass using the copper foil method. You’ll leave with a finished cherry red lady beetle suncatcher, along with the skills to keep exploring stained glass.

All tools and materials will be provided; long pants and closed-toed shoes are required. Must be 12+ to participate, designed with adults in mind.  

Kara Cullenen-O’Dea is a Columbus native who’s been passionate about making stained glass for 15 years. She seeks out vibrant colors and whimsical subject matter, bringing stained glass out of its traditional places into modern decor. Kara teaches workshops all over Columbus and in her own storefront, Good Dea Craft School. When not creating stained glass, Kara can be found hiking and kayaking all over the US.

Participants may explore the Conservatory and Botanical Gardens after each workshop at their leisure. 

Tuesday, November 10, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.  
Limited to the first 26 guests with a 10-guest minimum  
Price: $75 per person  

Join Nicole Tabit, for a fall foraging walk through the Franklin Park Conservatory Community Garden Campus. Class will consist of an hour long, guided plant walk, focusing on edible plants growing at the park. You can expect to feel more comfortable identifying wild plants, gain a better idea of how to become a sustainable forager, and learn how to incorporate these wild foods into your life.

Then, learn the basics of needle felting by creating and designing your own 3D insect from wool, which will then be mounted in a shadowbox frame. Felt is a textile material that is produced by matting fibers together, in this case with wool and a very sharp needle! In this class, students will learn to create a core form, then decorate the outside with colored wool in your own design & color choices.

Difficulty: beginner-intermediate; all supplies provided. Having thimbles or finger protection is not necessary to felt, but sometimes finger pricking happens. Please feel free to bring thimbles or fingertip guards! 

Nicole Tabit is the Adult Program Manager at Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens. Her degree is in Natural Resource Management and Visitors Services from The Ohio State University. She loves to hike and be outdoors, but she also loves to create and combine her love for the arts and environment by tying natural elements into her art projects. 

Tuesday, November 10, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.  
Limited to the first 25 guests with a 15-guest minimum  
Price: $120 per person  

Join Dr. Janette Knowles, art professor, gallery director at Ohio Dominican University, and textile artist, for a hands-on workshop on cochineal — the ancient natural dye made from dried female scale insects (Dactylopius coccus). Used for ritual textiles in indigenous communities of Central and South America before spreading to Europe, cochineal will be demonstrated from processing to color modification. Participants will learn processing techniques, how to alter hues, and will dye a variety of natural fibers. 

Tuesday, November 10, 11 a.m. – 12 p.m.  
Limited to the first 40 registrants  
Price: $60

Plenty O’Smiles of Plenty O’ Cookies will guide you through the art of cookie decorating. She will show you how to decorate cookies so they look like native flowers and pollinators, instructing and guiding you through decorating all three of your creatively inspired sugar cookies.  

Plenty O’Smiles is a self-taught baker and decorator extraordinaire based in Columbus, Ohio.  

This workshop will take place at the Greater Columbus Convention Center. Participants will receive everything they need to decorate 6 cookies with 3 colors of icing.  

Tuesday, November 10, 6-8:30 PM 
Limited to 14 guests with an 8-guest minimum  
Price: $145 per person, including food, a welcome cocktail, transportation, tax and gratuity  

During this dinner party celebrating international cuisines, Columbus Food Adventures will take guests to some of our favorite restaurants north of the city including a stop to sample chapulines (toasted grasshoppers, a traditional and protein-rich delicacy) at a Mexican restaurant. This one-of-a-kind dinner will include a variety of sharable dishes that encourage conversation and cultural exchange. One welcome cocktail is included.  

Your outing includes a certified, best-in-class host who will arrange seating at each bar/restaurant and, in some cases, pre-select a variety of dishes for you to enjoy Everything is included, just hop on the bus and enjoy!

Be sure to include your dietary restrictions so that we can share them with the host in advance. Most dietary restrictions can be accommodated on this tour, with the exception of vegan. 

Wednesday, November 11, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.  
Limited to the first 40 registrants 
Fee: $40 member/non-member, $10 students/early career  

Hosted by Nick Gray, Executive Coach from Insights for Life, the workshop is designed to improve participants' impact, professional relationships, and resiliency. These are essential skills for being effective as a team member, mentor, and leader, but are not taught in formal educational environments and are often overlooked even in professional settings.

The workshop is limited to 40 participants and is designed for a 4-hour in-person session followed by two additional 2-hour virtual sessions.  

President Melissa Siebert and Past President Michelle Smith both have participated in this program and highly recommend it for any of our current and next generation of leaders. Both will be invited to reflect on their experiences with the participants, schedule permitting.   

Registration fee includes coffee, beverages and snacks. Participants will receive a refund of the workshop registration fee once they complete their two online coaching sessions in December.  

Wednesday, November 11, 11 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.  
Limited to 16 guests with an 8-guest minimum  
Price: $99 per person, including food, tax and gratuity  
 

Fuel your curiosity (and your appetite) from historic North Market flavors to Jeni’s famous scoops — dive into a lively, flavor-filled walk through the Short North Arts District!

Hosted by Columbus Food Adventures, this popular walking tour covering food, art, architecture and local history is designed to showcase some of their favorite local spots.

Your guide will meet at the Convention Center and take you to Columbus’ historic public market just steps away. At the market, the group will visit some of the local food vendors and learn the history of the building.  

Next, the group will continue walking into the Short North neighborhood, stopping at several eating establishments to sample signature dishes. Stops on the itinerary range from Momo Ghar (Nepali) and Hoyo's Kitchen (Somali) to The Guild House (farm-to-table) and Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams (Columbus' own!).

In total, the tour will provide enough delicious food to replace lunch and will cover 1 mile in walking distance. Pack comfortable shoes.  

Be sure to include your dietary restrictions so that we can share them with the host in advance.