[NPMA Convention] Networking in Nashville

PestWorld 2005, attended by more than 3,000 professionals, featured educational sessions, nationally recognized speakers and an exhibit hall filled with the latest products and service offerings in Nashville, Tenn., in October. The four-day National Pest Management Association event featured about 150 exhibitors and more than 75 educational sessions were offered to pest management professionals. The sessions addressed the business and technical needs of technicians, managers and owners of small, mid-sized and large pest control companies.

"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, each year we see increased traffic and a stronger industry participation, which was evident by the number of suppliers launching their new products at PestWorld."

The event kicked off with a bang thanks to a toe-tapping performance by the country music group the Mike Snider Band. The opening ceremonies were sponsored by Bayer Environmental Science. The band’s performance followed comments from NPMA’s Lederer, who praised the pest control industry for its hurricane relief fundraising efforts, which totaled $72,500. These funds were distributed among Gulf Coast PCOs who were impacted by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Lederer presented a ceremonial check to leaders of state associations in Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana.

Lederer also lauded the pest control industry for its ability to rally in support of a cause and reflected back to PestWorld 2001, which was held in New Orleans only about a month after the 9-11 attacks. At the time, five conventions were scheduled at the New Orleans Convention Center and PestWorld 2001 was the only one that did not cancel.

PestWorld 2005 was held Oct. 14-17 at the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center. Speakers included Tom Ridge, former Secretary of Homeland Security (sponsored by Dow AgroSciences), and Dr. Bob Arnot, author and former medical correspondent for NBC News (sponsored by FMC).

On Saturday, Pest Control Technology and Syngenta Professional Products honored winners of the 2005 Crown Awards during a special ceremony. (See related story on page 36.) The awards spotlight individuals who have contributed positively to the growth of the structural pest management industry as well as established strong ties with fellow business leaders and customers in their communities.

BASF Corp. sponsored the final night banquet, attended by more than 900, which featured a performance by 10-time Grammy winner Ricky Skaggs & The Kentucky Thunder.

Next year’s convention and tradeshow will be held Oct. 25-28, 2006, at the Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center in Grapevine, Texas, which is near Dallas. For additional information, contact NPMA at 703/352-6762 or visit www.pestworld.org.