Live from PestWorld 2023

Diane Sofranec October 17, 2023

Hawaiian shirts did not seem out of place at the National Pest Management Association’s (NPMA’s) PestWorld 2023 event this year. Attendees dressed for the occasion for the annual event, held Oct. 17 through 20 at the Hawaii Convention Center in Honolulu.

The tropical setting drew many pest management professionals (PMPs) to the island of O’ahu, as the opening ceremony was packed on Monday, the first day of the annual event.

NPMA CEO Dominique Stumpf, CAE, welcomed attendees during the Opening Ceremony, which was sponsored by Envu. Like Pest Management Professional, the NPMA celebrates 90 years this year. A video celebrating the milestone featured members who shared why the organization is important to them and their pest control businesses. Indeed, the NPMA continues to support its members as it evolves and grows. For example, Stumpf revealed a modernized NPMA website will be unveiled soon.

On Tuesday, PestWorld’s second day, Marillian Missiti, president of Buono Pest Control in Belmont, Mass., was formally introduced as the 2023-2024 president of the NPMA. As she thanked her family in her touching speech during the General Session, she noted pest control is all about the people.

The third day of PestWorld kicked off with the Professional Women in Pest Management (PWIPM) breakfast sponsored by FieldRoutes. The annual networking event, which is open to men and women in the pest control industry, was held outdoors on the fourth floor patio of the convention center. The spot was perfect as attendance grows each year.

Thursday’s General Session gave the NPMA the opportunity to acknowledge the recipients of its annual awards. The Pinnacle Award is the organization’s top honor, and was presented to Larry and Alfie Treleven of Sprague Pest Solutions. This award recognizes the achievements made over the course of the recipient’s career in the pest control industry.

Check out this post throughout the week for updates on this annual event.

: Aloha, PestWorld 2023. Thank you, National Pest Management Association, for an amazing event! PHOTO: PMP STAFF

: Dancers and drummers celebrated Tahitian culture at Thursday’s General Session. PHOTO: PMP STAFF

: The speaker at Thursday’s General Session was Lt. Col. Jason Harris, who shared his empowering No Fail Trust strategy. PHOTO: PMP STAFF

: National Pest Management Association President Marillian Missiti presents the 2023 Pinnacle Award to Larry and Alfie Trevelen, of Sprague Pest Solutions. PHOTO: PMP STAFF

: The Entomological Society of America’s ACE Professional Award was presented to Randy McCarty, ABC Home & Commercial Services, by Willet Hossfeld, ICE-CCP (pictured from left to right). PHOTO: PMP STAFF

: NPMA President-Elect Faye Golden, also of Cook’s Pest Control, presented Joel Nolasco of NuBorn Pest Control with the Committee Chair of the Year Award. He heads the NPMA’s Diversity Council. PHOTO: PMP STAFF

: Rose Pest Solutions’ Judy Dold received the Women of Excellence Award, which her son, Bob Dold Jr., accepted on her behalf from Heather Alonso, BCE. PHOTO: PMP STAFF

: WorkWave’s David Giannetto presented the NPMA Gives Award to Julie Tesh-Clark and Andrew Hicks of Pest Management Systems Inc. (PMi). PHOTO: PMP STAFF

: John Myers of Rentokil Terminix (pictured left) presents the Emerging Leaders Award to AJ Treleven of Sprague Pest Solutions. PHOTO: PMP STAFF

: Jullee Johnson of Terminix Service (pictured left), and Caroline Kohnert, ACE, of Plunkett’s Pest Control, received the Deni Naumann Women in Pest Management Empowerment Grants. PHOTO: PMP STAFF

: For years, a group photo has been taken at the Professional Women in Pest Management breakfast, and this year’s group was the largest yet. PHOTO: PMP STAFF

: The educational program at PestWorld offered many classes that allowed attendees to earn continuing education units (CEUs). PHOTO: PMP STAFF

: Wednesday’s General Session speaker, author Sebastian Terry, drew a crowd for his inspirational story about setting, and achieving, goals. PHOTO: PMP STAFF

: Sebastian Terry, best-selling author, spoke about The Passion Effect at Wednesday’s General Session. PHOTO: PMP STAFF

: 2023-2024 NPMA President Marillian Missiti thanked her family and colleagues for contributing to her success in the pest control industry during Wednesday’s General Session. PHOTO: PMP STAFF

: QualityPro Chairperson Susan Hare announced a new credential for customer service professionals. PHOTO: PMP STAFF

: Ryan Teramoto, president of the Hawaii Pest Control Association (pictured left), accepted a $7,500 check from National Pest Management Association CEO Dominique Stumpf, CAE, for Maui Relief fundraising efforts.

: National Pest Management Association Officers gather on stage during Wednesday’s General Session. PHOTO: PMP STAFF

: National Pest Management Association 2023-2024 board of directors are, from left, Immediate Past President Justin McCauley; Ex-Officio Dominique Stumpf, CAE; Secretary Mike Bullert; President Marillian Missiti; Treasurer Emily Thomas Kendrick; and President-Elect Faye Golden. PHOTO: PMP STAFF

: Blaine Kia, who was born and raised in Honolulu, shared traditional Hawaiian blessings at the General Session. PHOTO: PMP STAFF

: Allan Dufoe, left, shakes hands with Matt Hemmendinger at the PestVets breakfast event Wednesday morning. Dufoe is FMC Pest Solutions’ North America sales manager, who also coordinates FMC’s support for the PestVets Council. Hemmendinger is the National Pest Management Association’s staff liaison for the PestVets Council. PHOTO: PMP STAFF

: PestWorld’s Opening General Session on Day 2 celebrated Hawaiian culture with a rhythmic beat. PHOTO: PMP STAFF

: The Hawaii Convention Center in Honolulu offered stunning views. PHOTO: PMP STAFF

: Dr. Cassie Krejci, BCE, president of Pi Chi Omega, kicks off the annual meeting of the pest control fraternity. PHOTO: PMP STAFF

: PestWorld attendees head to the Exhibit Hall to check out the latest in pest control tools and services. PHOTO: PMP STAFF

: National Pest Management Association President Marillian Missiti handles ribbon-cutting duties as board members look on. PHOTO: PMP STAFF

: The entertainment at PestWorld’s opening ceremony reflected Hawaiian culture. PHOTO: PMP STAFF

: National Pest Management Association CEO Dominique Stumpf, CAE, welcomed PestWorld attendees. PHOTO: PMP STAFF

: The blowing of the Pu, or conch shell, holds meaning in Hawaiian culture. PHOTO: PMP STAFF

: Attendees add descriptive ribbons to their PestWorld 2023 badges. PHOTO: PMP STAFF

: On Thursday, Black Ownership Matters (BOM) hosted a reception in the NPMA Presidential Suite. Here, NPMA President Marillian Missiti and BOM President Dr. Hamilton Allen (also a PMP Editorial Advisory Board member) enjoy the balcony view during the reception. PHOTO: PMP STAFF

: Also enjoying the reception are, from left, NPMA/MANRRS scholarship winners Mike Pagani, Christianburg, Va.; Jacquez Daniels, Tallahassee, Fla.; and Junior MANRRS Coordinator Ian Smith. Daniels and Pagani are learning more about pest control as a viable career path. PHOTO: PMP STAFF

: Chanel Braxton, left, is the NPMA’s associate director of membership — as well as the staff liaison for the NPMA’s Communities+ Diversity Council. Joining her on the balcony during the BOM reception are, from left, Jim Steed, owner of Neighborly Pest Management and advisor to BOM; BOM President Dr. Hamilton Allen, BCE, Florida region technical director of HomeTeam Pest Defense; and Faye Golden, director of governmental affairs for Cook’s Pest Control, BOM treasurer, and NPMA president-elect. PHOTO: PMP STAFF

: PestWorld keynote speaker Lt. Col. Jason Harris, center, was a surprise guest during the BOM reception. Flanking him are Cleveland Dixon, president of Holiday Termite & Pest Control, left, and U.S. Army veteran Sterling Barbour, president of the Revolution National Pest Council. PHOTO: PMP STAFF

: During Pi Chi Omega’s “Raise the Bar” event late Thursday, the 50/50 raffle netted Liphatech’s Nick Fugate $1,155. Fugate, pictured center with newly installed Pi Chi Omega President Desiree Straubinger of BASF and James Miller of Trece Inc., donated the winnings back — giving the industry fraternity a total of $2,310 to put toward its scholarship and educational goals. PHOTO: PI CHI OMEGA