Photo: PestWorld
Wednesday’s PestWorld 2016 events kept our staff plenty busy. There’s so much to see, do and learn that we wonder how individual attendees are able to soak it all up. Here’s a brief rundown of some of the events this senior editor attended during PestWorld’s second day:
From Left: Jim Fredericks, Bryan Cooksey and Dennis Jenkins discuss new business during the Pest Management Foundation Board of Trustees meeting. Photo: PestWorld
>The Pest Management Foundation noon board meeting gathered the organization’s board of directors and trustees to discuss everything to the foundation’s 2016/2017 proposed budget to a proposed Hofstra Rodent Research initiative — “Rats follow their nose: Using social structure and scent origins to produce new tools for urban pest management” — presented by Jim Fredericks (executive director of the foundation) and Cindy Mannes.
>Concurrently, PestVets, which came together for the first time at last year’s PestWorld in Nashville, met to discuss increasing awareness and membership of the PestVets committee.
>Technical Committee Tales from the Crypt: Using Science-Based Methods to Solve Tough Pest Problems — This educational session was presented by Dr. Faith Oi (University of Florida, director of Pest Management University), Jeff Weier (Sprague Pest Solutions, technical director), and Tom Jarzynka (Massey Services, technical & training director). The secret to successful pest solutions is science-based, as evidenced by some of the creative tactics each speaker related to attendees. From ghost stories to pest management in a mortuary, this educational session had a marginally-twisted Halloween-appropriate theme.
-
Dr. Faith Oi discusses the realities of mortuary pest management. Photo: PestWorld
>Recruiting Veterans: Finding Top Talent in Today’s Marketplace: This session was invaluable for business owners looking to assist veterans in need of employment. Sponsored by PestVets, the session was presented by Galvin Murphy, a veteran and president of Yankee Pest Control, provided tips for finding and keeping top talent in today’s increasingly competitive job market. Recruiting, hiring, and retaining veterans for employment was the packed session’s focal points.
Galvin Murphy, vet and president of Yankee Pest Control discusses the importance of hiring U.S. military veterans. Photo: PestWorld
>Pesticides and Health: Myths and Realities – Allan Felsot (Washington State University) armed attendees with the knowledge necessary to understand (and explain to wary clients) the difference between how pesticides are stigmatized in mass media vs. the reality of their chemistry. His fast-talking, PowerPoint-packed presentation covered everything from pesticide history, chemistry and common public misconceptions.
>Wednesday night I briefly attended a special reception for international PestWorld attendees. Ballroom C of the Downtown Seattle Sheraton was the perfect venue for globe-trotting visitors to mix, mingle and meet over cocktails and fancy food.
Today (10/20) is my final day in Seattle before returning to Cleveland tomorrow morning. I hope to soak up as much as I can before this afternoon sees the final wrap up of NPMA PestWorld 2016’s educational sessions.
Leave A Comment