Pi Chi Omega connects the industry at Purdue and Georgia Conferences

Twin events are terrific: Pi Chi Omega elevates the profession

Pi Chi Omega continued its tradition of building industry connections this January with a strong presence at two powerhouse events: the 90th Purdue Pest Management Conference (PMPC) and the Georgia Pest Management Conference (GPCA) winter meeting.

Through board meetings, member outreach and interactive education, we reinforced our mission to connect and enrich the urban pest management community. Whether we were discussing academic scholarships or chasing ping pong balls across a tradeshow floor, the spirit of collaboration was front and center.

Key takeaways

• Community integration: Pi Chi Omega successfully pivoted to more accessible formats, such as the Purdue luncheon, to increase engagement.
• Celebrating legacy: Industry icon Dr. Gary Bennett was recognized on his “home turf” during the 90th Purdue conference.
• Education through play: “Bug Pong” served as a creative vehicle to teach attendees about the life stages of overwintering pests.
• Record-breaking generosity: A friendly raffle competition between the Georgia and Purdue cohorts raised nearly $3,000 for industry grants and scholarships.

A landmark 90th presentation at purdue

At Purdue, we hosted our annual Membership Meeting on Monday, Jan. 12. This year, we moved from the traditional dinner to a luncheon format in Stewart Hall. The convenient on-campus location resulted in an excellent turnout, where President James Miller, ACE, provided updates on our new initiatives.

A highlight of the luncheon was when Kathleen Heinsohn, Ph.D., presented the Pi Chi Omega Achievement Award to her mentor, Gary Bennett, Ph.D. While the award was originally presented at PestWorld, recognizing him again during the 90th presentation of the conference he helped grow felt like the perfect tribute to his lasting impact on the industry.

Engaging the Georgia community

Having attended the GPCA Conference for the first time in 2025, we loved the community so much that we returned for an encore in 2026!

Our visible presence on the tradeshow floor — led by Past President Desiree Straubinger, President-Elect Nancy Troyano, Ph.D. and Director Glen Ramsey — allowed us to engage directly with attendees. We focused on the “why” of our organization: professional development grants, academic scholarships and the sheer value of forming deep connections with fellow PMPs.

Overwintering with “Bug Pong”

True to our academic roots as a professional fraternity, we brought an educational twist to the tradeshow floor with a lively game of “Bug Pong.”

Participants tested their knowledge by tossing ping pong balls into cups labeled with life stages — pupae, larva, egg and adult — matching them to specific insects like the praying mantis and paper wasp. Four lucky contestants walked away with digital microscopes donated by Trece, Inc.:

1. Mark Sheperdigian (aka Shep)
2. John Steenstra, ACE
3. Isabelle Lucero
4. Purdue student Emily Harley

“Raising the Bar” for industry relations

On Tuesday, Jan. 13, we hosted “Raise the Bar” events at both locations. In Georgia, members met at the Spring Hill Suites, while in Indiana, we partnered with the Purdue Entomology Alumni organization at the legendary Harry’s Chocolate Shop.

The GPCAs Raise the Bar event took place at the Spring Hill Suites in Athens, Ga., the site of its inaugural GPCA meeting event in 2025. IMAGE: PI CHI OMEGA

MGK’s Tommy Powell finally filled out his application to join Pi Chi Omega during the GPCA Raise the Bar event. He took a little (a lot of) good-natured ribbing. IMAGE: PI CHI OMEGA

The Harry’s social featured a “legacy” cocktail menu with signature drinks like:

• The Osmo Cosmo
• The Corrigan Rat Pack
• The Gary Bennett on the Beach
• The Gene White Russian

It was a fitting celebration of the leaders who shaped both Pi Chi Omega and the Purdue Entomology program.

The Great 50/50 Raffle Challenge

The competitive spirit peaked during our 50/50 Raffle. The Purdue and Georgia cohorts challenged each other to see who could out-raise the other. In the end, the Georgia crew won by a single dollar!

Together, the events raised $2,941. In an incredible display of professional spirit, both raffle winners—Rich Williams, Jr. (R-Pro Partners & Solutions LLC) and Clay W. Scherer, Ph.D. (Rollins Inc.) — generously donated their winnings back to Pi Chi Omega.

This year’s Purdue Raise the Bar event took place off-campus at Harry’s Chocolate Shop. Here, Rose Pest Solutions, Mark VanderWerp, BCE, lends his wingspan for “an arm’s length” of 50/50 raffle tickets. IMAGE: PI CHI OMEGA

These funds will directly support our mission, including academic scholarships and entomology education resources like the Jr. Entomologist and Entomologist on Call programs. By meeting members where they are — at the bar, on the floor, and in the classroom — we continue to raise the bar for the entire industry.

Sponsors

Both events were sponsored by Hawx Smart Pest Control, Cardinal Professional Products, Liphatech, Rockwell Labs, JT Eaton, Trècè, RJM Contracting and Rose Pest Solutions.

About Pi Chi Omega

Pi Chi Omega is a national fraternity for pest management professionals. Initiated in 1950 by six students of PMP Hall of Famer Dr. John Osmun at Purdue University, including fellow Hall of Famer Bill Brehm, the fraternity today is comprised of nearly 450 members representing 38 states and 4 foreign countries.