More Bed Bug Coverage

Here’s another fine example of a PMP leveraging the bed bug phenomena in the media to get publicity for itself.

NYU’s student newspaper ran an article warning students about the possibility of bed bugs in residence halls and Bell Environmental Services was right there to be quoted as an expert source.

I can be sure any nervous student who reads this article is going to demand NYU call upon Bell Environmental Services at the first inclination of bed bugs in his or her residence hall.

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Friday Link Roundup, 11/6

It’s been a while since I’ve posted a Friday Link Roundup, but it’s not at all because I’ve had a lack of links to share. It’s quite the contrary, actually. There are plenty of interesting pest management related articles and blog posts on the web these days.

This has been a popular feature since I started it, so believe me when I say the Friday Link Roundup isn’t going away. In fact, if you notice, I’ve got a fancy new graphic to use and I’m including a date in the post header so it’s easier to sort.

Anyway, without further ado, here are some links I think are worth checking out this week. Enjoy!

What does the life of a fire ant look like? Why, head on over to the FireRANT — a blog about fire ants — and read this excellent post.

Did you know pest management professional ranks as the No. 2 most creepy-crawly job? I do, thanks to ProBest Pest’s blog, where you can read about it in this interesting post.

Where did all those bed bugs in your home come from? It could be from that used furniture you just acquired, says to Stern’s Chatter in this informative post.

What about rented furniture? Yep, that poses a bed bug thread too, according to BedBugger.com in this cautionary post.

What in the world is a wheel bug? You can find out all about it on Brasure’s Pest Control’s blog in this educational post.

Finally, what would you like to know about bees? Everything? Great, then head on over to Mike Merchant’s blog and read this enlightening post.

See, I told you there was a lot going on! This is only a small, small sampling. — you PMPs are quite active on the web. Keep it up, and I’ll keep posting links.

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Class is in Session

Last week, the National Pest Management Association (NPMA) closed the book on another successful PestWorld. I can’t imagine anyone who attended the event — pest management professionals (PMPs), suppliers, distributors and industry consultants — left Las Vegas disappointed.

For those of you who regularly follow my blog, Keeping it Simple, you’re already familiar with some of the great pest management products exhibitors were showcasing at their booths (and, for those of you who don’t follow my blog, what’s the matter with you?)

I spent a lot of time last week in the exhibit hall, running from booth to booth with my camera in tow. There could have been another whole day, and I still probably wouldn’t have been able to see it all.

Each night, back in my room at the beautiful Palazzo Hotel & Casino, I posted my thoughts on the exhibits and uploaded the day’s videos. Sure, there were many PMPs in attendance, but many more could not be in Las Vegas for the NPMA’s premier event. Hopefully, thanks to my daily video blogging — or, vlog — everyone was able to get a glimpse of what they missed (and maybe we’ll see you in Hawaii next year).

One regret I have is that I didn’t post much about the fantastic educational sessions that were just as much a part of NPMA’s PestWorld as the exhibit hall. The folks at the NPMA do such a great job every year of putting together classes that are relative, informative and valuable to PMPs.

If you attended the show and missed the educational sessions, shame on you. If you did attend the educational sessions, I hope you’re able to follow through with what you learned and implement something new at your company.

The depth of the educational sessions offered at NPMA’s PestWorld 2009 really made me think. In the past few months alone, I’ve attended some excellent educational opportunities offered to this industry in Arizona, New York and Kentucky (and, unfortunately, missed out on a good one in Illinois).

As the year comes to a close in less than two months, there’s still an opportunity to learn. Next week, in New York, Bug Off Pest Control Center is hosting its annual New York Pest Expo. This year’s event, which Pest Management Professional (PMP) magazine is proud to help sponsor, has taken on a particular pest as its focus: bed bugs.

If it’s true you can never learn too much, then it’s certainly true you can never learn too much about bed bugs. This emerging pest dominates the conversations in every corner of the pest management industry. Even experienced PMPs seem to be searching for answers when it comes to these pests.

The New York Pest Expo: Bed Bug Edition next week will bring PMP magazine’s bed bug editorial series to life, with featured speakers Dr. Mike Potter from the University of Kentucky and Dr. Dini Miller from Virginia Tech. It’s sure to be the can’t-miss bed bug educational program of the year.

Unfortunately, if you haven’t already registered for this event, time is running out. There are still seats available, but you’d better hurry — the registration deadline is Nov. 7.

Please, click here to register for this outstanding event. We truly hope to see you at The Armory in New York next week.

EDITOR’S NOTE: This post originally appears as my On the Record column on mypmp.net and in the Buzz eNewsletter.

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NPMA’s PestWorld Wraps Up

It was another eventful day in Las Vegas at NPMA’s PestWorld 2009. There were many quality educational sessions and committee meetings this morning and this afternoon.

The exhibit hall opened for the final time this evening, giving PMPs and suppliers one more chance to connect. And, of course, I took the opportunity to visit a few more booths with my camera. Enjoy.

That’s wraps it up for NPMA’s PestWorld 2009 in Las Vegas. I can’t wait until next year’s show. Aloha!

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More from NPMA’s PestWorld

Another busy day in the exhibit hall at NPMA’s PestWorld 2009 in Las Vegas. It was just as crowded today as it was yesterday, a good sign for exhibitors and the industry.

I managed again to make my way around to many booths with my trusty video camera in tow. Here’s what you may have missed today.

Two days down, one to go. Tomorrow should be another eventful day, and I promise to make it to as many booths as I can. Until then, Ciao!

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Navigating NPMA’s PestWorld 09

What an amazing first day here in Las Vegas for NPMA’s PestWorld 2009. All morning long, as I walked the labyrinth of corridors in the Venetian and Palazzo Hotels and Casinos, I came across many pest management professionals. Some were PMPs I’ve met before, who stopped me to chat or say hello, some were PMPs I’d never met before, who stopped me to chat or say hello.

I’ve said this so many times, I’m starting to sound like a broken record (um … what’s a record?), but I’ll say it again: This is truly an industry filled with the friendliest of people.

As the exhibit hall opened following a rousing opening ceremonies, PMPs from all over the world flooded in to check out the latest and greatest products and services this industry’s great suppliers have to offer. I, and my trust video camera, were among those walking the show floor to see what each booth had to offer.

So, without further ado, I present my video tour of the exhibit hall at NPMA’s PestWorld 2009 in Las Vegas. Enjoy!

PHEW!!! Can you believe I’m still standing? My feet are aching, but there’s no rest for the wicked. There so much more to see and do here at NPMA’s PestWorld. I’ll post another update tomorrow, including another video tour of the show floor as I visit even more booths.

For immediate updates, be sure to follow PMP magazine on Twitter, where I’ll post updates and videos live from the show floor.

Ciao!

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Viva Las Vegas

Bright light city gonna set my soul,
Gonna set my soul on fire.
Got a whole lot of money that’s ready to burn,
So get those stakes up higher.
There’s a thousand pretty women waitin’ out there,
And they’re all livin’ devil may care,
And I’m just the devil with love to spare.
Viva Las Vegas, viva Las Vegas!

The largest gathering of pest management professionals (PMPs), suppliers, distributors and consultants in the pest management industry — a pantheon of Who’s Who in the pest management industry — will be on hand in Las Vegas next week for NPMA’s PestWorld 2009.

If you’re among those PMPs who are making this journey to the desert, I can promise you won’t be disappointed. The National Pest Management Association (NPMA) always puts together a fantastic show, and this year’s show promises to be just as fabulous as Las Vegas itself.

As we make last minute preparations at Pest Management Professional to attend the show, I thought it might be helpful to provide some tips on how to get the most out of NPMA’s PestWorld 2009.

A quick Google search on tips for trade show attendees yielded some pretty good advice, which I thought I’d include here with a few tips of my own:

• Have a goal of what you want to accomplish.
• Make a list of which exhibitors you’d like to visit, what seminars you want to attend and which new product lines you’d like to see (a list of exhibitors and seminars can be found on the NPMA Web site).
• Set appointments with any exhibitor you’d like to meet during the show.
• Pack comfortable shoes — you do a lot of walking at trade shows and in Las Vegas.
• When deciding what to wear, keep in mind you’re a representative for your company.
• Allow enough room in your suitcase(s) to bring back more than you take — this includes literature, freebies and product samples.
• Some exhibitors provide bags, but come prepared by bringing a comfortable carryall for all that literature and freebies.
• Make sure your badge is in plain sight while attending the seminars and exhibits.
• Have a pen and notebook ready for notes.
• Take a break after a few hours to refresh, have a snack and get some fresh air.
• Attend the educational sessions — this is why you came.
• Don’t linger too long at each booth because there’s plenty to see.
• Don’t stay in a conversation with a company in which you’re not interested in doing business. It wastes your time and the exhibitor’s time.

Whether you’re a first-time attendee or a seasoned tradeshow professional, I hope you found some of these tips useful.

Two more pieces of advice I must dispense: 1) Bring plenty of your own business cards and 2) Don’t be afraid to introduce yourself to others.

After all, it’s all about the networking. Meet as many of your peers as you can and form solid business relationships with suppliers and distributors. NPMA’s PestWorld is your chance to get in touch with everyone all in one place. Take advantage of this tremendous opportunity.

Now, for those of you cannot attend this year’s show, stay tuned to my blog, Keeping it Simple, as well as the PMP magazine Twitter page. I’ll do my best to post daily recaps on my blog and live updates on Twitter.

See you in Las Vegas!

EDITOR’S NOTE: This post originally appears as my On the Record column on mypmp.net and in the Buzz eNewsletter.

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