The National Pest Management Association (NPMA) held it’s 30th Legislative Day event March 12-14 in Washington, D.C.
Despite an approaching snowstorm that wasn’t as sever as predicted, the pest management professionals (PMP) and manufacturer representatives who attended met with state representatives on Capitol Hill March 14 to put a personal spin on the issues that affect the pest management industry.
The NPMA chose four issues to focus on this year. They include the elimination of National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits for lawful pesticide applications, the modernization of the Endangered Species Act, the reauthorization of the Pesticide Registration Improvement Act and protection of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Pesticide Programs funding levels under the new administration, and the approval of a tax law that lowers the current corporate tax rate.
Attendees were instructed to leave behind literature that explains the pest management industry’s stand on these issues. Mike Seyfert, FMC’s director of Government Affairs, Agricultural Solutions, gave a presentation with tips on what to say and do when meeting with Congressmen and women, Senators and members of their staffs. They also were advised to make the issues personal by talking a little about their businesses, the number of constituents they employ and the invaluable service they provide protecting public health. A lunch sponsored by MGK featured an appearance by Florida Senator and 2016 presidential candidate Marco Rubio.
While the highlight of Legislative Day was the trip to Capitol Hill, the NPMA offered presentations and educational sessions as well. PMPs who sold their companies (Stuart Aust, Kevin Kordek and Joe Wilson) shared their experiences with the sales process. Kylie Luff of Seay Management Consultants provided insights into the hiring process.
Keynote addresses by Bret Baier, chief political anchor and host at Fox News; Mark Halperin, former managing editor of Bloomberg Politics and host of Bloomberg TV’s “With All Due Respect”; and Charlie Cook, political analyst and publisher of the “Cook Political Report” all had plenty of stories about President Donald Trump and the 2016 presidential election.
NPMA members who were on committees had a full day of meetings the first day of the event.
The NPMA announced Yankee Pest Control’s Galvin Murphy Jr. winner of the FMC Pest Vets award and Pest Management Systems’ Billy Tesh winner of the FMC Legislative Day award.
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