Live from PestWorld 2021

For the first time in two years, members of the pest control industry gathered in person at the National Pest Management Association‘s (NPMA’s) PestWorld 2021.

The event, last held in October 2019, officially kicked off at the MGM Grand hotel in Las Vegas, Nev., on Nov. 2. A strict mask mandate in Nevada, hand sanitizer stations throughout the exhibit hall and stickers on badges indicating attendees’ preferred level of contact were some of the safety protocols in place.

While the final attendance figures are not in yet, the exhibit hall floor was packed with manufacturers, distributors and service providers who were ready and willing to show off their offerings to pest management professionals (PMPs) who seemed excited to be out among colleagues.

NPMA CEO Dominique Stumpf, CMP, CAE, welcomed attendees at an opening ceremony that featured the Rat Pack — Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr. and Frank Sinatra — along with Elvis Presley and a couple of beautiful showgirls. “It is so great to be here and to see all of you,” she told the crowd. “Thank you so much or taking the journey, short and long, for showing up and being here so that we can be all together. It feels so good to be back together.”

Day 2 of PestWorld 2021 got off to a patriotic start as a video of Lee Greenwood’s song Proud to be an American, featuring service men and women and the singer himself, was broadcast to a capacity crowd at the Nov. 3 opening general session.

NPMA President Scott Steckel welcomed attendees. Pest control is a family affair, as his father, Jim Steckel, and his grandfather, Dr. H.K. Steckel, served the industry in the same capacity in 1970 and 1937, respectively.

The opening general session presenter, Alex Banayan, is a best-selling author of a book about business lessons he learned while contemplating what he wanted to do with his life when in college. He shared his favorite stories about growth and what he learned from record producer Quincy Jones, filmmaker Steven Spielberg, talk show host Larry King, among others. His presentation was sponsored by Corteva Agriscience.

The day was jam-packed with educational sessions on pest control and business topics. NPMA committee meetings, which were open to attendees interested in serving the industry, also took place throughout the day. The exhibit hall was busy as well, as PMPs took advantage of the time they had to test drive new products in person.

The third day of PestWorld 2021 started early — 6:30 a.m. to be exact — with a Professional Women in Pest Management breakfast sponsored by ServicePro. All women were welcome and encouraged to network with one another. They also cheered on the recipients of the PWIPM’s 2021 Empowerment Grants, who were on hand to accept their plaques and give speeches. Janice Crisostomo, marketing manager for Terminix Commercial, and Kristen Stevens, director of training for Cook’s Pest Control received their awards from Alvin Pest Control President and CEO Betty Thornton, who serves as chair of PWIPM.

Also taking place the morning of Day 3 was the NPMA’s annual Industry Awards ceremony. The recipient of this year’s Pinnacle Award was Joe Thomas, chairman of Atlanta-based Arrow Exterminators. The company’s CEO Emily Thomas Kendrick was on hand to accept the award on her father’s behalf, as he sent a videotaped message of thanks. Other award winners included:

• Eve Pappas, VP of corporate sales, Hoffman’s Exterminating, Mantua, N.J., who received the Women in Excellence award as well as a standing ovation as she came on stage to accept her award.
• Nick Mitchell, co-owner of Mitchell Pest Solutions, Las Vegas, Nev., who received the Young Entrepreneur award.
• Eco Serve Pest Services, Orchard Park, N.Y., who received the NPMA Gives award; Owners Scott and Audrey Hall, were on hand to accept the award on behalf of the company.
• The NPMA’s Disinfection Task Force received the 2020-2021 Committee of the Year award for working hard to serve members during the pandemic.
• Marie Horner, ACE, VP of Government Affairs and Industry Stewardship, Arrow Exterminators, Atlanta, Ga., who received the Chair of the Year award for her tireless work as head of PestVets.

After the awards were handed out, the general session speaker took the stage. Eric Boles, president and founder of leadership development firm The Game Changers Inc., and author of several executive and emerging leader development programs, shared advice on how to develop higher levels of commitment and performance on and off the job.

Boles played in the National Football League (NFL) with the New York Jets and the Green Bay Packers, where he was introduced to many of the concepts of high performance and teamwork he shared. His advice encouraged attendees to be confident and focus, instead of fearing failure. “You are the walking example of what’s possible,” he said. “If you removed your title, how much influence would you have?” His presentation was sponsored by Syngenta.

After another day of checking out exhibits and educational sessions continued throughout the day, all PestWorld 2021 attendees were invited to attend the In the Mix reception held at Topgolf Las Vegas, conveniently located at the MGM Grand hotel. The event was presented by the NPMA’s Diversity Community, Leadership Networking Council, PestVets, and PWIPM. It was sponsored by Corteva Agriscience, FMC, ServicePro, and Target Specialty Products.

The final day of PestWorld 2021 featured PestWorld Day of Service activities for attendees who want to give back. It wrapped up with a poolside PestFest party sponsored by MGK.

The members of the 2021-2022 NPMA board of directors gathered on stage. PHOTO: PMP STAFF

Scott Steckel, president of the NPMA, continues a family tradition. PHOTO: PMP STAFF

QualityPro Chairman Andrew Feldstein explained the program is now fully electronic and accreditation can be obtained online. PHOTO: PMP STAFF

Dennis Jenkins, president of ABC Home & Commercial Services, Dallas, Texas and Tim Pollard, COO of Arrow Exterminators, Atlanta, Ga., touted PestControlJobs.com, the workforce development website the NPMA launched to help members find employees and spread the word about pest control career opportunities. PHOTO: PMP STAFF

The Nov. 3 opening general session drew a large crowd of attendees. PHOTO: PMP STAFF

Alex Banayan, who wrote a best-selling book about business lessons while contemplating what he wanted to do with his life when in college, shared his favorite stories about growth. PHOTO: PMP STAFF

Corteva Agriscience sponsored the opening general session on Nov. 3, and the company’s Mark Neterer introduced the presenter. PHOTO: PMP STAFF

At an evening reception, Jake Plevelich, the NPMA’s director of public policy, thanked the State Policy Affair Representatives (SPARS) for devoting their time and energy to making sure legislation in their states is pest control-friendly. PHOTO: PMP STAFF

The MGM Grand Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas set the stage for PestWorld 2021. PHOTO: PMP STAFF

Eve Pappas, recipient of the Women in Excellence award, expresses her appreciation. PHOTO: PMP STAFF

Nick Mitchell, Mitchell Pest Solutions, received the Young Entrepreneur award. PHOTO: PMP STAFF

Eco Serve Pest Services’ owners Audrey and Scott Hall are presented with the NPMA Gives award from NPMA president-elect Justin McCauley (from left to right).
PHOTO: PMP STAFF

Arrow Exterminators’ Emily Thomas Kendrick accepted the NPMA’s Pinnacle Award on behalf of her father, Joe Thomas. PHOTO: PMP STAFF

Pi Chi Omega’s newly elected president, Dr. Cassie Krejci, attends the organization’s Raise the Bar event at the MGM Grand hotel. PHOTO: PMP STAFF

Marie Horner, ACE, received the NPMA’s Chair of the Year award for her work as head of PestVets. PHOTO: PMP STAFF

Betty Thornton, chair of Professional Women in Pest Management (PWIPM), flanks PWIPM grant recipients Janice Crisostomo and Kristen Stevens. PHOTO: PMP STAFF

Former NFL wide receiver Eric Boles gave an inspirational presentation at the Nov. 4 general session. PHOTO: PMP STAFF

QualityPro Executive Director Allie Allen, BCE, mans the booth in the NPMA Member Center. PHOTO: PMP STAFF