[Focus On Events] Pest Control in Big D

More than 3,000 industry professionals traveled to Dallas to hear dynamic speakers, to visit an exhibit hall filled with products from the industry’s top manufacturers and to take advantage of a variety of networking opportunities. More than 2,000 of the 3,000 attendees at PestWorld 2003 in Dallas, Texas, in October were pest management professionals. In addition, there were more than 40 countries represented by hundreds of international attendees.

"PestWorld continues to increase in value as an industry resource," said Rob Lederer, NPMA executive vice president. "From the tradeshow floor to the educational sessions, we continue to see better traffic, more attendees and strong industry participation."

PestWorld 2003 held special significance as this year marks the 70th anniversary of the National Pest Management Association’s annual convention and exposition.

"Each year for the last 70 years the pest management industry has gathered to learn, to network, and to celebrate the professionalism and progress of the industry from the prior year," Lederer said.

It all started on Oct. 2, 1933, at the Continental Hotel in Washington D.C., when 50 delegates gathered for the first annual meeting during which time attendees approved the formation of a new association. That association was called the National Association of Exterminators and Fumigators.

The first convention included a meeting that lasted 15½ hours in which various issues were debated, including the amount of first-year dues of the association. After great debate it was decided to charge an annual membership fee of $2 per year. It was decided that the $2 would meet all the expectations and expenses of the association during the coming year.

"When you stop and look at changes the industry has seen in last 70 years it is quite remarkable," Lederer said. "From vermin exterminators to exterminators and fumigators to pest controllers to pest management professionals, the one constant has been the annual convention of your association which has served as the catalyst for ideas, for training and for leadership, that has culminated in this event."

Next year’s convention and tradeshow will be held Oct. 20-23, 2004, at the Sheraton Waikiki and Hawaii Convention Center, Honolulu, Hawaii. Contact NPMA at 800/678-6722 or visit www.pestworld.org for more information.