Despite a still recovering economy and market uncertainties, pest management professionals have turned out in large numbers at PestWorld 2009, being held this week at the Venetian Palazzo.
LAS VEGAS — Despite a still recovering economy and market uncertainties, pest management professionals turned out in large numbers at PestWorld 2009, being held this week at the Venetian Palazzo.
NPMA Executive Vice President Rob Lederer kicked of this NPMA’s annual convention and exhibition by noting that pre-registration was up more than 15 percent from last year, a testament to the pest control industry.
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Kurt Trombetti, owner of EnviroSafe Pest and president of the Nevada Pest Control Association, welcomed attendees. (Photo: Brad Harbison)
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Lederer spoke following a moving video to the song “Stand by Me,” which Lederer said reminds him of NPMA – an association backed by a staff working to support its member companies, and member companies, who in turn, actively participate to make the association stronger and to assist other member companies.
Following his opening remarks, Lederer thanked Bayer Environmental Science, sponsor of the opening ceremony in which attendees were taken back to 1960, when the Sands Hotel stood on the ground that The Venetian stands on today, with a performance by “The Rat Pack.” Bayer also commemorated the 25th anniversary of the launch of Maxforce with a cake at its booth. Dr. Austin Frishman did the honors of cutting the cake and he was accompanied by Bayer’s Gordon Morrison and Joe Barile.
Following the opening ceremonies, attendees visited the exhibit floor where they saw the latest product and service offerings from leading vendors. This year’s PestWorld featured three days of educational sessions, an expansive trade show with more than 150 exhibiting companies, and multiple networking opportunities.
Other guest speakers included James Ma, a member of the MIT card-counting team whose story was made into the book and movie "21." Ma's presentation was sponsored by Dow AgroSciences.
Bob Pritchard, a business and marketing troubleshooter for 80 of the Fortune 500 companies, provided attendees with "recesssion-busting" marketing ideas in a keynote presentation sponsored by PPMA.
Capping off this year’s convention was the PestWorld 2009 Vegas Night with the World Class Rockers, featuring former members of Santana, Journey, Boston and others. The PestWorld 2009 Vegas Night was sponsored by BASF.