2024 has been another busy year for the United Producers, Formulators and Distributors Association (UPFDA). From discussions at the August 2023 board meeting, we have been focusing on two action items in particular:
Growing membership
The Membership Committee identified several non-member companies that were listed as exhibitors at the National Pest Management Association’s (NPMA’s) PestWorld 2023 event in Honolulu, Hawaii. Representatives of these companies were sent an email invitation to join us at our reception during PestWorld, then received a hand-delivered invitation onsite. As a result, we added three new members: EcoVenger, WebCote and Steri-fab. We welcome these industry partners to UPFDA and look forward to further expanding our membership rolls. Our Membership Committee is actively looking to identify companies that would benefit from the connection UPFDA offers.
Growing visibility
We realize “the group with the funny-sounding acronym” is well known in the industry, but perhaps not everyone understands the networking, educational and regulatory support UPFDA offers pest control industry vendors and suppliers. We have begun a member ambassador program to help spread the word about why UPFDA is important to them. One visible component of this program is our logo wear: Several members were spotted at the NPMA’s Legislative Day event in March wearing the official “UPFDA Blue” shirt, with the logo on their sleeve. Wearing the shirt sparked conversation about the benefits of membership.
Look for more UPFDA Blue shirt ambassadors at PestWorld 2024 in October.
In-person meetings
In May, UPFDA members enjoyed being together at the 2024 Spring Conference held at the beautiful Bellagio in Las Vegas, Nev. (Editor’s Note: For in-depth coverage of that event, please see our June 2024 issue.) Members who attend the conference historically find it to be a great opportunity to reconnect with their industry colleagues and friends. This was certainly the case in Las Vegas: With more than 60 people in attendance, including several new members, there were numerous opportunities to learn not just from the educational presentations, but from one another.
The UPFDA Board of Directors Meeting will take place in Kansas City, Kan., Aug. 12-13. In addition to the regular meeting, the board will discuss additional projects to benefit our members. Any UPFDA member is welcome to attend this event.
As always, UPFDA is very much looking forward to PestWorld 2024! Industry vendors and suppliers are welcome to attend the UPFDA Member Meeting and Reception taking place during PestWorld. It will be held from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 23, at the host hotel, the Gaylord of the Rockies Resort & Convention Center in Aurora, Colo.
If you’d like to explore membership, please don’t hesitate to visit our website, email UPFDAoffice@gmail.com or call 540-681-2114 for more information.
About the Author
Andrea Caron is former executive director of NWCOA, and current executive director of UPFDA and Pi Chi Omega.
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