Editor's note: Robert Kunst, president of Fischer Environmental Services, Mandeville, La., provided PCT with the following recap of the The Federation of Asian and Oceanic Pest Management Associations (FAOPMA) annual convention, held in November in Tokyo.
TOKYO — The Federation of Asian and Oceanic Pest Management Associations (FAOPMA) held it's 21th annual convention in Tokyo in November.
FAOPMA is an association made up of member countries rather than individuals, and as such represents a large segment of the world’s population and pest management firms.
Representatives from China, Hong Kong, Japan, India, Korea, Singapore, the Philippines, Thailand, Israel, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Republic, Quatar, Pakistan, Thailand, Australia, Israel and New Zealand were present with 670 registered pest management firms participating. Katayama Junichiro, president of FAOPMA said," Our convention proved to be more successful then we expected and we are very happy at the large turn out for our educational sessions. We had 17 wonderful speakers and attendance was high at all of our sessions."
A large contingent of speakers from the United States made up more than 35 percent of all the presentations given. Rob Lederer, executive vice president of the National Pest Management Association, spoke on “The Pest Management Industry and our Challenges for the 21 Century.” Nick Hamon, technical director for Bayer Environmental Science, spoke on “Protecting Human Health through Pest Management.” Robert Kunst, president of Fischer Environmental Services, spoke on “Pest Management for Hospitals and Ancillary Care Facilities” Norman Cooper, CEO, Cooper and Associates, spoke on “Business Acquisitions and selling Strategies.” Judy Dold, of Rose Pest Solutions, spoke on “Change in the Pest Control Industry” Michel Maheu, general Manager of Maheu and Maheu, spoke on ”Eco-Friendly Pest management” and Naresh Duggal, Santa Clara County IPM Manager, who spoke on “Structural Integrated Pest Management,” rounded out an American contingent of speakers.
Of special interest, long-time NPMA member and attendee Motokazu Hirao was summoned to a personal audience with the Emperor of Japan, where he received the English equivalent of knighthood for his work in the pest management industry and the benefits the people of Japan have received from this. This is a very rare event; only about 30 such audiences have been given in the life of the emperor.
To top off the Educational program a great cultural program also was included, complete with sightseeing throughout Japan. The 22nd convention will be held in Beijing, Nov. 26-28. For further information about next year’s program go to www.cpca.cn.