Rose Pest Solutions hosts 18th Annual Technical Conference

March 29, 2023

Mark VanderWerp, BCE, manager of education and training for Rose Pest Solutions. PHOTO: ROSE PEST SOLUTIONS

Troy, Mich.-based Rose Pest Solutions hosted its 18th Annual Technical Conference March 22-24 at The FireKeepers Casino Hotel in Battle Creek, Mich.

More than 350 people were on-site during the three-day exhibition. Speaker sessions featured industry leaders and professionals from outside Rose Pest Solutions, including:

Dave Gordon, author and inspirational coach, was the keynote speaker the event, drawing from his over 30 years of experience about how professionals can build stronger, more positive brands.
Matt Frye, senior extension associate with the New York State Integrated Pest Management Program at Cornell University, presented on exclusion tactics to keep pests out of structures.
Ed Hosoda, vice president of Cardinal Professional Products, will present from his over 49 years of experience in the fumigation and pest management industries.
Tim Husen, technical services manager for Syngenta Professional Pest Management’s Midwest and Northeast U.S. territories, spoke as a subject matter expert on ant control tactics, products, equipment and other takeaways from his 24 years of experience in entomology and structural pest management.
Timmy Madere, special projects coordinator for the City of New Orleans Mosquito, Rodent and Termite Control Board, discussed the current challenges and opportunities in rodent management.
J. Neary, owner of Insect Technologies, spoke from his vast experience conducting termite inspections to discuss termites and other wood-destroying organisms.
Dr. Faith Oi, an urban entomologist with the University of Florida and a Pest Management Professional editorial advisory board member, reviewed core category training, including the foundational concepts of reading and comprehending pesticide labels, how to calibrate equipment, and the proper use of safety gear.
Tina Wismer, senior director of the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center, discussed how best to avoid non-target poisonings when rodenticides are deployed.

Knowledge-building sessions were also offered that combine learning and humor in an engaging format. Topics for this year included “Pest Management Knowledge Showdown” and “Phorid Flies: Small Flies Causing Big Problems” – which will be hosted by some of Rose Pest Solutions’ Board- and Associate-certified entomologists (BCEs and ACEs).

Mark “Shep” Sheperdigian, BCE, vice president of technical services for Rose Pest Solutions and frequent PMP magazine contributor, speaking at the conference.

As part of the conference activities, Rose Pest Solutions hosted its annual employee award ceremony on March 22. The company recognized employees and districts for their dedication and service. With more than 300 employees throughout its 17 locations in Michigan, Ohio and Indiana, Rose Pest Solutions takes the opportunity each year to honor its team for their successes, tenure and talents in a special awards ceremony.

“As a fourth-generation, family-owned and -operated business for more than 163 years, we see each of our employees as an extension of our own family,” Jim Ives, president of Rose Pest Solutions, said in the news release. “We’re proud to offer them the opportunity to learn and continuously build a new set of skills each year through our annual conference.”

The company also invited individuals from outside its organization to this year’s event — providing learning opportunities and a chance to hear from some of the most accomplished voices in the pest control field. Attendees received continuing education credits for license recertification.

“We’re grateful to once again play host to some of the most accomplished pest management professionals in the field,” said Mark VanderWerp, manager of education and training for Rose Pest Solutions. “This year’s conference will highlight the latest and most effective technologies and pest management strategies — ensuring that our attendees have access to the skills they need to stand out from those companies where ongoing training is not a core part of the culture.”