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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Thrive in Tough Times

In the first session this morning, Fred Strickland from Terminix International spoke about thriving in tough times. In this video, Dr. Mike Potter introduces Strickland.

Strickland has been in the pest management industry for many years and has a lot of experience throughout the whole country. He knows how important it is for PMPs to learn both from conferences such as the UK Short Course and from the history of the industry.

Strickland noted that, in reality, all PMPs use the same products and techniques to rid pests. So, he asks, how can you make your company different from your competitors? What can you do to set yourself apart?

It’s important for PMPs to have a business model. Consumers, he says, have their own ideas about what the pest management industry, thanks to many factors including the media and television shows such as Verminators.

Set yourself apart from the competition. Exceed the expectations of your consumers, and you will thrive in tough times.

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UK Short Course Underway

I’m honored to be attending the University of Kentucky Pest Control Short Course today in Lexington, Kentucky. This seminar, in its 39th year, is one of the premier educational venues for PMPs in the country.

Dr. Mike Potter, University of Kentucky Department of Entomology, and his staff does an excellent job of putting together this conference each year. This morning, Dr. Potter welcomed attendees to this year’s conference.

The theme of this year’s conference is Thriving in Tough Times. Dr. Potter assured attendees that, while times may be tough now, eventually the sun will come out.

Dr. Potter also introduced the new president of the Kentucky Pest Management Association, Garry Wheeldon, to come up to the podium and also welcome attendees.

This morning’s sessions include a presentation from Fred Strickland, Terminix International, talking about thriving in tough times; Jeff Tucker, Entomology Associates, talking about green pest control; and Jamel Sandidge, BRS Pest Control & Consulting, talking about battling the Brown Recluse spider.

This promises to be another great event. Stay tuned for more blog updates throughout the day.

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Management Training is Essential

From the PMP archives, I bring to you this column by Lloyd Smigel.

Published in the Oct. 2006 issue of Pest Control magazine, Lloyd’s Business Basics column discusses how your company’s success hinges on  the development of your company’s managers.

Are you providing training for your people?

As Lloyd states in the column, “When employees have to work for undeveloped managers, they are much more likely to quit and go to a competitor down the street. Or, worse yet, some essentially will quit working but will stay on your payroll.”

Go ahead, give his column a read. It’s worth it.

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