[PCT On The Road] High Stakes

Beating previous attendance records, 3,600 pest management professionals, representating 58 countries, turned out for NPMA’s PestWorld 2009, held in October in Las Vegas.

Despite a still-recovering economy and market uncertainties, pest management professionals turned out in large numbers at PestWorld 2009, held Oct. 26-29 at the Venetian Palazzo in Las Vegas.

NPMA Executive Vice President Rob Lederer kicked off this year’s NPMA 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.

Lederer spoke following a 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, during which attendees were taken back to 1960, when the Sands Hotel stood where 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. (See a video of the cake cutting at www.pctonline.com/maxforce_25thanniversary.aspx.)

Following the opening ceremony, 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 "recession-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 and others. The PestWorld 2009 Vegas Night was sponsored by BASF.

PestWorld 2010 will be held Oct. 20-23 in Honolulu, Hawaii, at the Hawaii Convention Center. Visit www.npmapestworld.org/events for more information.

A photo review of NPMA’s PestWorld 2009 follows. Look for additional coverage and photos in the January issue of PCT.
 

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Univar Announces iPod touch Winners

Univar USA recently announced the 10 winners from the iPod touch giveaway drawing held during the exhibit hall hours of PestWorld.

The drawings were held daily during the convention as a way to reinforce Univar’s new campaign: One Source. Countless Resources. Technology and education are part of the many resources Univar offers to the industry and the iPod touch giveaways helped to reinforce these service attributes, the company said. One winner was selected every hour during exhibit times, and a total of 10 iPod touches were given away. The winners were:

• Sheila Jones, Maximum Environmental Services, Norfolk, Va.
• Judy Salone, Mosquito & Pest Xperts, Durham, N.C.
• Ron Mahorsky, Rid-Et Pest Control, Nazareth, Pa.
• Richard DeLaCruz, Pest Shield Pest Control, San Antonio, Texas
• Leslie Withoelter, Rottler Pest & Lawn Solutions, St. Louis, Mo.
• Ned Ewart, Bug Master, Austin, Texas
• Alyse Denaglia, Capital Export Services, New Paltz, N.Y.
• Sue Fisher, Oregon Pest Control Association, Eugene, Ore.
• Pierre Riettini, Bio-Tech Pest Control, Spring, Texas
• Robert Pillow, All-Rite Pest Control, Lexington, Ky.
   

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PCT, Syngenta Announce 21st Annual Crown Leadership Award Recipients

For the 21st consecutive year, PCT and Syngenta Professional Products recognized the Crown Leadership Award winners at NPMA PestWorld. The awards spotlight individuals who have contributed positively to the growth and development of the structural pest control industry, as well as established ties with fellow business leaders, civic groups and customers in their local communities.

"As we recognize the 2009 recipients of the Crown Leadership Awards, we witness leadership, integrity and industry support that serve as a model to us all," said Scott Reasons, head, Syngenta Home Care and Garden. "Syngenta is proud to join Pest Control Technology in honoring the class 2009 as we have for the past 21 years."

The 2009 Crown Leadership Awards class includes:

• John Bolanos, Univar USA, Austin, Texas

• Robert Dixon, Dixon’s Termite & Pest Control, Washington, D.C.

• Lex Knox, Terminix Service, Columbia, S.C.

• Dr. Dini Miller, Virginia Tech University, Blacksburg, Va.

• Millard and Ada Oldham, Oldham Chemicals Co., Memphis, Tenn.

• David Pomfret, Fahey Pest Management, Sarasota, Fla.

• D.R. Sapp, Florida Pest Control & Chemical Co., Gainesville, Fla.

• Jeff Singley, Arrow Exterminators, Atlanta, Ga.

• Rick Swope, Antimite Termite & Pest Control, Chino Hills, Calif.

• Chuck Tindol, Allgood Pest Solutions, Atlanta, Ga.
 

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Emily Thomas Kendrick Receives NPMA’s Women of Excellence Award

Emily Thomas Kendrick, president and chief operating officer of Arrow Exterminators, received the first-ever National Pest Management Association Women of Excellence Award, a new industry-related program presented by Orkin. Thomas Kendrick was presented the award on Oct. 28 during PestWorld.

Thomas Kendrick began her career at Arrow in 1998, learning the operations side of the business from several branch offices in metro Atlanta before transitioning into commercial pest control sales. She worked with Arrow’s marketing and IT departments prior to her promotion to chief operating officer in 2003. In 2008, she assumed her current role as president.

In accepting the award Thomas Kendrick thanked sponsor Orkin as well as her family (including husband Hugh and father Joe Thomas, CEO of Arrow Exterminators) and her extended family — the team at Arrow Exterminators.

"I think that this award is great for our industry," Thomas Kendrick said. "Given that the pest management industry is brimming with smart, dynamic women I am honored and deeply humbled to accept this award."

The selection process for the 2009 Women of Excellence Award was highly competitive, as the international honor was open to women across the pest management profession. In the award’s inaugural year, NPMA said it received a significant number of nominations for professionals who demonstrate outstanding leadership and make notable contributions to the development and growth of the profession and other women.

An independent panel of judges — comprised of professionals with backgrounds in pest control, human resources and other industries — reviewed all nominations and selected Thomas Kendrick as the 2009 award recipient. The judges included: Ellen Dotson, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Tory Johnson, Women for Hire magazine; Rob Lederer, the National Pest Management Association; Faith Oi, Ph.D., University of Florida; and Jean Seawright, CMC, Seawright & Associates.