Cockroach Races Highlight FPMA Symposium

FPMA's technical symposium “Cockroaches & Fleas” was a day-long event offering CEUs and fun activities like cockroach tractor pulls.

BARTOW, Fla. — Barbecue, cockroach tractor pulls, hands-on equipment demos, and exhibitor spotlights delighted the more than 120 pest control professionals from across the Sunshine State on Oct. 30 in Bartow, Fla. The Florida Pest Management Association’s annual technical symposium targeted “Cockroaches & Fleas” in a day-long event offering CEUs and fun.

FPMA’s Endowed Professor Dr. Phil Koehler with the University of Florida was one of the speakers and organizers of the event. The cockroach tractor pull was put on by Koehler and his students.

“It was the best FPMA event ever,” noted Koehler. “The food was excellent and the educational plus fun events made it great.”

That positive buzz was heard ’round the room as attendees were treated to an informative day that also featured noted cockroach expert Dr. Deanna Branscome of Syngenta, Paul Mitola of the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, John Paige with Bayer, Clay Scherer of DuPont, Dr. Claude Thomas of B&G Equipment Company and Jim Shuford of Rockwell Labs.

Thomas doubled as chef, along with the cooking team of David Merrick, Residex LLC and Gene Bell of Snow & Bell, Inc. Delicious pork, barbecue sauce, and pork ’n beans were served up to the crowd, courtesy lunch sponsors DuPont and B&G Equipment Company.

FPMA President Jennifer Leggett did kitchen duty, handing lunch plates to hungry attendees, cleaning up afterward, and sharing high-fives with husband Claude Thomas on a job well done.

“It’s a joy to roll up your sleeves, and see people enjoying good food, laughing and learning all at the same time,” said Leggett. “We had an awesome symposium, and I’m thankful to all who pitched in and made it such a successful event.”

Along with lunch sponsors DuPont and B&G Equipment Company, Classic Chevrolet provided a truck to the FPMA staff to haul furniture and supplies to the Polk County Extension Center for equipment application demos.

Exhibitors included Bayer Environmental Science, Bell Laboratories, Inc., B&G Equipment Company, DuPont Professional Products, FMC Specialty Products, Forshaw Distribution Company, LESCO, Residex LLC, Rush Truck Center, Snow & Bell Insurance, Syngenta Professional Products, UAP Professional Products, Univar USA Inc., University of Florida, Waterbury Companies Inc., Whitmire/Micro-Gen, and Zoecon Professional Products.

Up next—FPMA’s Power Forum, Jan. 24-26, 2007 at the Florida Hotel & Conference Center in Orlando. Contact FPMA at (800) 426-4829; www.flpma.org for details.