“To be involved in this industry is to love this industry,” said National Pest Management Association (NPMA) CEO Dominique Stumpf, CMP, CAE, as she welcomed attendees to PestWorld 2019 during the opening ceremony.
This year’s event took place in San Diego, Calif., Oct. 15-18. With 3,770 pest management professionals (PMPs), manufacturers, suppliers and researchers representing 47 countries, PestWorld 2019 had the second highest attendance on record, the NPMA said.
PestWorld offers educational sessions during which recertification credits can be earned, and the opportunity to network with colleagues and industry leaders. The exhibit hall in the San Diego Convention Center showcased the products and services of more than 220 vendors.
Check out a few highlights:
Opening remarks
Stumpf provided highlights of the NPMA’s accomplishments over the past year, and praised members for their dedication to the industry and their customers.
“[PMPs are] hardworking, honest, respectful, family-oriented — especially for the many second- and third-generation companies in our membership — driven to help others, and always ready to extend a hand or give advice to a friend or a peer,” she said.
In addition, Stumpf disclosed the NPMA is now realizing the benefits of the vision and mission from the strategic plan it set forth three years ago. It is working to establish and introduce programming to develop new benefits, resources and training for members, she said.
New president
Outgoing NPMA President Dennis Jenkins passed the presidential gavel to successor Chris Gorecki, who welcomed attendees to the 86th annual event.
Gorecki, who serves as VP of operational support for Rollins in Atlanta, explained that 32 years ago, he turned to pest management because he was “just looking for a job” and ended up with a career in “the very best industry in the world.”
NPMA workforce initiative
In 2020, the NPMA will move forward on a comprehensive workforce development initiative that will highlight pest control as a viable and desirable industry that provides numerous job opportunities and career paths.
“Our industry is about the people,” Gorecki said. “And our future success will only occur if we can continue to attract new talent, people who are dedicated to the vision of protecting public health
and property.”
The NPMA will develop a website, and use Facebook and LinkedIn, to boost awareness of professional pest management as a rewarding career choice. The initiative will be ongoing and evolve over the years, he said.
Annual awards
The NPMA recognized winners of its annual awards: Bobby Jenkins, ABC Home & Commercial Services, earned the Pinnacle Award, the NPMA’s top honor; Suzanne Graham, Massey Services, received the Women of Excellence Award; Chase Hazelwood, Go-Forth Pest Control, was given the Young Entrepreneur Award; Northwest Exterminating of Marietta, Ga., earned the NPMA Gives Award; Professional Women in Pest Management garnered the 2018/2019 Committee of the Year Award; and Faye Golden, Cook’s Pest Control and chair of the Diversity Council, received the 2018/2019 Committee Chair of the Year Award.
Next year, PestWorld will be held in Nashville, Tenn., Oct. 13-16.
PHOTO: DANIELLE PESTA
“Now it’s time for all of us to get involved and help set up the next generation for success in our industry,” said NPMA President Chris Gorecki.
PHOTO: DANIELLE PESTA
Pinnacle Award winner Bobby Jenkins.
PHOTO: DIANE SOFRANEC
During her opening remarks, Dominique Stumpf, CEO of the National Pest Management Association (NPMA), told the crowd, “The NPMA is working on your behalf to grow this industry with bigger, bolder and better marketing communications programs” that will keep pest control top of mind with consumers.
PHOTO: DANIELLE PESTA
General session speaker Robert Richman, author of The Culture Blueprint, shared how company culture affects employees.
PHOTO: DIANE SOFRANEC
General session speaker Richard Montañez, who leads multicultural sales and marketing across Pepsi North American divisions, explained how he started his career at the company as a janitor. “There isn’t enough money in this world to reimburse you for your value, so [work hard] for your last name,” he said. “That is your legacy.”
PHOTO: HEATHER GOOCH
Members of the National Pest Management Association’s (NPMA’s) 2019-2020 board officially opened the exhibit hall by cutting the ribbon. Pictured from left are Secretary Marillian Missiti, Treasurer Justin McCauley, Immediate Past President Dennis Jenkins, President Chris Gorecki, President-Elect Scott Steckel, and CEO Dominique Stumpf.
PHOTO: DANIELLE PESTA
The In the Mix reception offered PestWorld attendees an opportunity to meet up with members of the NPMA’s Leadership Networking Community, Professional Women in Pest Management, PestVets and Diversity Council. 8PestWorld is the NPMA’s largest annual event, and has been held the past 86 years.
PHOTO: DANIELLE PESTA
The NPMA booth was easy to find. NPMA staff provided members with plenty of pest control resources.
PHOTO: DANIELLE PESTA
The NPMA booth was easy to find. NPMA staff provided members with plenty of pest control resources.
PHOTO: DIANE SOFRANEC
Upon arrival at the San Diego Convention Center, attendees gathered at the registration area. PestWorld attendees included pest management professionals, manufacturers, suppliers, students and researchers.
PHOTO: DIANE SOFRANEC
Members of the NPMA board of directors were officially recognized at PestWorld.
About the Author
Diane Sofranec is the senior editor for PMP magazine. She can be reached at dsofranec@northcoastmedia.net or 216-706-3793.
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