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The National Pest Management Association (NPMA) has announced a new initiative designed to build a stronger talent pipeline for the $13+ billion U.S. pest management industry. The first LAUNCH: Pest Management Career Summit will take place March 8–10, 2027, at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.
“Pest management is a dynamic, growing industry, but too few students and other emerging talent know it’s even an option,” NPMA CEO Dominique Stumpf, CAE, noted in a news release. “LAUNCH is our opportunity to change that — to show talent from technical schools, two-year programs and four-year universities alike, across every discipline from business to the skilled trades, that this industry offers real careers with real growth potential. We’re proud to bring this event to life in Knoxville and to partner with faculty and career services professionals who are on the front lines of guiding students toward their next opportunity.”
The event brings together four key audiences:
- college students and other emerging talent
- faculty and career services professionals who influence student career decisions
- NPMA member pest control companies
- pest management industry suppliers
Over the three-day event, students will engage in the “Employer Engagement Zone,” a career fair connecting them directly with hiring companies. There will also be team-based challenges, professional development sessions and networking receptions built around the summit’s core theme: Business. Technology. Science. Service.
For NPMA member companies and industry suppliers, LAUNCH offers a direct line to emerging talent through career fair participation and a range of sponsorship opportunities. Details on sponsorship tiers are now available.
More information for students and faculty is available at LaunchYourPestCareer.org. Companies and suppliers interested in participating or sponsoring can learn more at NPMAlaunch.org.
About the National Pest Management Association
The National Pest Management Association is a non-profit organization with more than 4,000 members. It was established in 1933 to support the pest management industry’s commitment to the protection of public health, food and property from the diseases and dangers of pests. The association has had many notable leaders over the years, including Pest Management Professional Hall of Famers Bill Buettner (Class of 1998), Dr. Ralph Heal (Class of 2003), Dr. Phil Spear (Class of 2004) and Bob Rosenberg (Class of 2013), to name just a few.
