As many of you know, in November 2024, CRES accepted the honor of organizing and hosting the next International Conference of Butterfly Exhibitors and Suppliers (ICBES), originally scheduled for November 2025. We began planning with great enthusiasm, aiming to deliver a conference that would bring lasting value to exhibitors and suppliers from around the world.
Despite our best efforts to reduce expenses and streamline logistics, we encountered a persistent challenge: balancing an enriching, high-quality experience for participants with the $1,200 per-person budget established by the IABES Conference Committee. Unfortunately, organizing a conference of this scale and standard in Costa Rica’s Central Valley—under current economic conditions—proved unfeasible within those constraints.
After six months of open and constructive dialogue between vendors, CRES, and IABES, it became clear that meeting everyone’s expectations within the available limitations was not possible. With a heavy heart, CRES has made the decision to step back from hosting ICBES in 2025.
That said, we remain deeply committed to the global butterfly community and its continued growth. We’re excited to announce a new initiative: a 5-Day Butterfly Farming Immersion Program, scheduled for February 2026. This hands-on experience will offer in-depth exposure to our operations, visits to diverse breeding farms, and meaningful opportunities for learning, exchange, and collaboration among participants. More details will be shared soon.
Thank you for your continued trust, support, and understanding.
Sergio Siles
Commercial Manager
