Think tank

PHOTO: PMP STAFF

Pest Management Professional’s (PMP’s) Growth Summit for pest management professionals (PMPs) and partner companies was back again this year, after a one-year hiatus because of the Coronavirus pandemic.

For five years, PMP has welcomed attendees to the Reunion Resort & Golf Club, near Orlando, Fla., to build relationships, knowledge and revenue. This year, 39 PMPs and 20 representatives from 10 partner companies came prepared to network and learn during the event, held March 30 through April 1.

The plan was for attendees to head home from the PMP Growth Summit with a wealth of knowledge gleaned from colleagues and partner companies. We accomplished this mission four ways:

1. Partner companies offered eight-minute presentations in a boardroom setting, where PMPs could ask questions or take notes for their individual meetings.
2. Roundtable discussions held at breakfast allowed all attendees to share their ideas and experiences related to topics posed by PMP staff seated at each of the six breakfast tables. Questions covered pest control and business issues, and queries related to hiring and retaining employees, lowering fuel and fleet costs, leveraging social media for marketing purposes, and increasing customer referrals led to lively conversation.
3. Individual meetings with partner companies provided PMPs with an in-depth and hands-on look at products and services.
4. A welcome reception, BBQ dinner, and golf/lunch provided the perfect settings for networking opportunities, so everyone could follow up on ideas revealed during roundtable discussions, ask about products that solved shared business challenges, or compare revenue-building tips.
   The PMP Growth Summit offers a relaxing setting conducive to learning and sharing ideas. Helping pest control companies grow is the goal, after all.

PMP Growth Summit: Building Relationships

Pest Management Professional (PMP) was pleased to host its fifth PMP Growth Summit March 30 through April 1. This exclusive event is designed to help attendees — specially selected partners and pest management professionals (PMPs) — build relationships and boost revenue. Read on to see how this year’s PMP Growth Summit unfolded.

PMP Growth Summit Day 1

PHOTO: PMP STAFF

Arrivals and registration: PMPs and partners arrived at the Reunion Resort & Golf Club, which is located near sunny Orlando, Fla. Checking in this year were 39 PMPs and 20 representatives from 10 partner companies.

PHOTO: PMP STAFF

The PMP team is ready to welcome attendees. Pictured from left are Todd Miller, Marty Whitford, Heather Gooch, Michelle Mitchell, Mike Joyce, Diane Sofranec and Steve Galperin. Not pictured is Ellen Wagner.

PHOTO: PMP STAFF

Boardroom presentations: PMPs met up in a ballroom at the Resort to hear each partner company’s eight-minute snapshot of how its products and/or services may be used to solve their most-pressing technical and business challenges. Each presentation helped prepare PMPs for the one-on-one meetings taking place over the next two days.

PHOTO: PMP STAFF

Welcome reception: Attendees were able to relax and get to know one another better over dinner and drinks poolside at the Resort’s Eleven rooftop restaurant and pool. They had all evening to get acquainted with new friends and catch up with old ones.

PMP Growth Summit Day 2

PHOTO: PMP STAFF

Breakfast and roundtable discussions: The day began with a hearty breakfast and frank discussions about topics related to business and pest control. PMP staff members were on hand at each table to serve as moderators for partners and PMPs, who shared their thoughts and experiences in response to a series of questions.

PHOTO: PMP STAFF

Individual meetings: PMPs paired up for meetings with partners in private suites located on two floors of the Resort’s hotel, giving them the opportunity to expand their industry networks, knowledge and pest control solutions.

PHOTO: PMP STAFF

Golf tournament: A golf scramble sponsored by Control Solutions Inc. (CSI) provided attendees with an extra opportunity to network as they enjoyed the outdoors while playing 18 holes on a challenging course designed by PGA legend Jack Nicklaus.

PHOTO: PMP STAFF

BBQ dinner: Attendees experienced local flavor at a delicious BBQ dinner, catered by 4 Rivers Smokehouse and sponsored by J.T. Eaton. They also enjoyed cocktails, live music and games of cornhole alongside the Resort’s Seven Eagles pool. Golfers who placed first and second, had the longest drive and were closest to the pin were awarded prizes for their skill.

PMP Growth Summit Day 3

PHOTO: PMP STAFF

Breakfast and roundtable discussions: Conversations about pest control technical and business issues continued over breakfast. Once again, PMP staff moderated roundtable discussions as partners and PMPs shared their challenges and successes.

PHOTO: PMP STAFF

Individual meetings: The three-day event concluded with PMPs gathering one last time to meet up with partners. Scheduled meetings that rotated among the partners’ private suites gave every PMP the chance to learn about the latest products and services designed to boost their revenue.

Video interviews

PHOTO: PMP STAFF

Check out video interviews of PMP Growth Summit attendees who share their outlook on the industry and their insights about pest control. Visit youtube.com/user/pmptv2.

Hoffman’s Exterminating’s Bill Hoffman, ACE, left, and The Pest Rangers’ Frank Trinisewski relax during the welcome reception. PHOTO: PMP STAFF

Terminix’s Dominique Sauvage, ACE, and Neogen’s Tamra Lewis chat before dinner. PHOTO: PMP STAFF

Taking second place in the golf scramble are PMP’s Mike Joyce, Liphatech’s Nick Fugate, Plunkett’s Pest Control Scott Steckel, and Columbus Pest Control’s Brian Alonso. PHOTO: PMP STAFF

Slingshot by WorkWave’s Mike Aslanian and Jeff Davis take a break from meeting with PMPs. PHOTO: PMP STAFF

Certus Pest’s Audrey Williams and Neogen’s Jenna DePaull share a laugh. PHOTO: PMP STAFF

Miller Pest and Termite’s Joel Miller and Scherzinger Pest Control’s Eric Scherzinger enjoy the first night of the event. PHOTO: PMP STAFF

Liphatech’s Nick Fugate, American Pest Control’s John Miller and Tim Culpepper, and J.T. Eaton’s Joe Smith enjoy the welcome reception. PHOTO: PMP STAFF

J.T. Eaton’s Dale Baker ponders a question during a PMP video shoot. PHOTO: PMP STAFF

Consider the years of experience among, from left, Terminix’s Dominique Sauvage, ACE; PMP’s Marty Whitford; BHB Pest Elimination’s Michael Broder; and Rentokil’s Gene White, BCE. PHOTO: PMP STAFF

From left, Truly Nolen’s Mike Duncan and Lance Washington chat with Arrow Exterminators’ Robbie Ringler. PHOTO: PMP STAFF

FieldRoutes’ Chris Kauffman and Anthony Joseph catch up after dinner. PHOTO: PMP STAFF

Certus Pest’s Audrey Williams and Desiree Straubinger, BCE, who also is known as the birthday girl. PHOTO: PMP STAFF