PCOs ‘Re-Energize’ Business and Technical Know-How at FPMA Convention

Attendees of the Florida Pest Management Association’s Convention & Exposition, which was held last week, were treated to three days of business and technical presentations from industry experts.

Brad Harbison, Editor

Published June 26, 2006

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FPMA President David Pomfret cuts the ribbon to commence this year’s Florida Pest Management Association (FPMA) Convention and Exposition. (Photo: © 2006 Scott Atkins Photography)

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FPMA President David Pomfret (left) presents the FPMA Pioneer Award to Cindy Vander Poest (center), widow of Doug Vander Poest. Doug Vander Poest was owner of Slug-A-Bug Pest Control and a past president of FPMA, who passed away last year. The FPMA Pioneer Award recognizes individuals who have demonstrated distinguished and dedicated service to the industry in Florida. (Photo: © 2006 Scott Atkins Photography)

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Brian Van Dam, owner, Fulton Services, gave a presentation titled “Raise Your Hand if You Want More Money From Your Customers.” (Photo: © 2006 Scott Atkins Photography)

BONITA SPRINGS, Fla. — Attendees of the Florida Pest Management Association’s Convention & Exposition, held last week in Bonita Springs, Fla., were treated to three days of business and technical presentations from leading industry experts.

The theme of this year’s conference — “Re-Energize for Success – PMPs Working Together” — was wholly appropriate as topics and speakers represented numerous entities within Florida’s structural pest control industry.

A highlight of this year’s conference was “You’ve Been Served,” a mock trial featuring Cliff Slaten, founding partner, Slaten & O’Connor, Montgomery, Ala., and Dan Gerber of Rumberger, Kirk & Caldwell. This role-playing format was a fun and informative way to provide PCOs with tips for avoiding (and handling) lawsuits.

Another important session was a legislative panel moderated by NPMA’s Bob Rosenberg. Providing a comprehensive perspective on regulatory issues in Florida were Matt Dempsey, government affairs director, FPMA; D.R. Sapp, Jr., governmental affairs chairman, FPMA; and Steve Dwinell from the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

This year’s conference also was filled with technical presentations — including a crazy ant presentation from University of Florida’s Brian Cabrera — and management seminars from speakers such as Brian Van Dam, owner of Fulton Services, and Brad Bartlett.

In addition to the seminars, this year’s conference once again included an exhibit floor, which provided attendees with opportunities to network with one another and learn about the latest product innovations.

Sponsors of this year’s conference included: BASF; Bayer Environmental Science; Classic Chevrolet; Curtis Dyna-Fog; Dow AgroSciences, DuPont Professional Products; Forshaw; Liphatech; Mullinax Ford; Oldham Chemicals Co.; Reimer Insurance Group; Univar; Wellmark; Whitmire Micro-Gen.

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