If you have never attended a PestWorld convention you could be forgiven for thinking its just an exhibition with some conference sessions around it. Yes these items form the core of activities, but there is much more to it than just this.
Organised by the US trade association – the National Pest Management Association (NPMA) – this annual event moves around America. This year New Orleans played host. But as the event caters for over 3,000 people – comprising registered delegates and all the exhibitors – it has to be based at some pretty large venues.
|
During the convention, it was announced that the number of international delegates had significantly increased, with people from 52 different countries represented. To most American professional pest controllers the technical sessions and the exhibition probably rank equally. Attending the sessions is a good way for them to collect the necessary recertification points they require. Vast range of technical sessions A new introduction this year was the house of learning. Here a set is laid out to represent a true field environment and hands-on pest control is demonstrated. Certainly a good idea, but this closely resembled the hands-on displays seen at PestEx in London in both 2009 and 2011. Without doubt, bed bugs were the most talked about pest at PestWorld. A special Bed Bug Forum was organised. To find out about some of the key topics presented click here. Not to be missed – the exhibition OK the exhibition and sessions are at the heart of PestWorld – but for an international visitor there is much more besides. Meeting old friends, networking, business meetings, sourcing products and arranging deals is all part of the experience. Events such as the international reception and the international delegate’s longue help cater for these requirements. A first-timers reception is held on the first night to welcome PestWorld debutants. At the two general sessions you can expect some razzmatazz and to hear from well known American individuals. To find out what happened this year click here. What others had to say David Loughlin, Business Development Manager, Silvandersson, Sweden This NPMA event is not just for US customers, but it has long been a recognized meeting place for the industry with opportunities to meet customers from four of the five continents. We specifically came to promote and meet customers for Cryonite, the C0? insect freezing system. New Orleans was a fun city with plenty of distractions within walking distance of the convention. Not something you can say of all pest management conference locations.”
Rupert Broome, Director – EMEA & Asia, Bell Laboratories Inc, USA
Frederic Verwilghen, Edialux, Belgium This year there was a lot around the bed bug problem. Something that is not yet present to the same degree in Europe, as it is in the US. But this might change very soon! New Orleans is a wonderful place for this event with such nice weather. See you in Boston.” Simon Forrester, Chief Executive, BPCA, UK The exhibition didn’t offer many new products, but it was a good chance to meet a broad cross-section of manufacturers. The whole event was extremely professional, and a credit to our industry.” Marc Esculier, Hygiá¨ne Habitat, France It was interesting that 25% of the booths were for the bed bud control. Our American colleagues have to find new solutions for controlling this problem. They are spraying pesticides but also using other methods, such as hot or cold treatments. It is interesting to note that pest controllers in the USA use a lot of traps to control rodent problems – for this hey need more expertise. We are on the same trend in Europe.” |
|
|
|
Mariann Csorba, International Business Manager, Bá¡bolna Bio, Hungary The biggest pest problem featured concentrated on the bed bug. We saw not only products but also several companies offering heat equipment for bed bug control. We missed Hawai, but certainly two years ago there was several exhibitors offering products and equipment to solve mosquito problems in private gardens and around the house. This year no such equipment could be seen. The FMC bed bug monitor containing pheromone aroused our interest.” |
||
