BOSTON – The pest control industry looked to the future while reflecting on its past at PestWorld, the National Pest Management Association's annual convention and exposition held last week in Boston. According to NPMA more than 3,700 attendee this year's PestWorld.
Although next year is the milestone 90th anniversary for PestWorld, this year marks the 25th anniversary of the Professional Pest Management Alliance and it is the 25th year NPMA CEO Dominique Stumpf has been with the association, including the last six as CEO.
Stumpf said she shares in the pest control industry’s passion, pride and commitment for bettering the world.
“You're here today because you believe in protecting people's quality of life," she said. "You believe in maximizing every day, every opportunity and every possibility you can. You believe in yourself and you challenge yourself to grow."
Stumpf added, “Speaking on behalf of your association, I can tell you we are here to do everything in our power to help you become unstoppable.”
Following Stumpf’s opening remarks, Gokhan Vergon and Gilles Galliou of Envu, the company formed when Cinven acquired the environmental science division of Bayer, presented. Vergon acknowledged that the pest control industry is facing challenges such as rising fuel prices, inflation and labor shortages, but “none of these challenges have stopped you from raising the level of hygiene and safety in many areas of people's lives. [Don’t discount] the role that you play in protecting public health, preventing the spread of diseases at home and around the globe.”
Vergon said he and the Envu team are excited to be operating as a stand-alone environmental science business, bringing solutions and providing support to help PMPs to meet these challenges head on. He said PestWorld was exactly where they want to be for its debut, “together with our customers and partners, collaborating on the toughest challenges.”
Galliou followed Vergon at the podium, where he explained the how the company’s name – Envu, a combination of environmental and vision – was born. “We are an environmental visionary with an entrepreneurial spirit for solving big, challenging problems in our industry,” Galliou said.
After Vergon and Galliou’s opening remarks, attendees were treated to a performance by The Boston Police Gaelic Column of Pipe and Drums.
Other highlights included:
Just prior to the Opening Session at PestWorld, Pi Chi Omega, a national fraternity for pest control professionals, held a membership meeting. Pi Chi Omega President Cassie Krejci reviewed this past year’s activities, which included awarding six students with scholarships. Krejci also presented the Pi Chi Omega Generosity Award to member Allison Johnson (University of Georgia), who took time to record videos for the fraternity's Junior Entomologist program. Krejci also recognized departing board member Glen Ramsey for his work in getting the Junior Entomologist program off the ground.
Attendees also visited the exhibit hall, where they got first-hand demonstrations on the latest products and services from industry suppliers.
Other PestWorld highlights last week included:
- O’Hurley, Sheen Provide PestWorld Attendees with Uplifting Stories
- PPMA Approves $2.5 Million Budget, Looks Toward Future with New Leadership
- NPMA Presents Industry Awards at PestWorld 2022
- Black Ownership Matters Celebrates Second Anniversary at PestWorld
- PPMA Announces Jim Fredericks as Its New Executive Director
- 2022 Crown Leadership Award Winners Recognized