Parasitec 2014 in Paris breaks all records

Exhibitors came from far & wide
The exhibitors were also an international bunch coming from 18 different countries. EFK manufacturers, Starkeys, from Perth in Western Australia had travelled the furthest with their own stand, but Stu Barr with his Goodnature traps had come from New Zealand. Also travelling long distances were exhibitors from China, Hong Kong and the USA.

All of this lent a more international feel to the show which was also reflected in the addition of two English-French simultaneous translation booths in the conference room for the seminars. The room had seating for 120 but with record numbers attending some visitors, who could not get into the room, protested that fewer places had been provided, which was not the case.

A whole room for the LODI bar!
The exhibition had expanded to fill two main halls with wider aisles giving the whole event a lighter, airier feel and generally making it easier for visitors to get around. For its home event, LODI had taken over a whole side hall for its display which this year included some products as well as the famous LODI bar. Parasitec is very different to other pest control events with wine and nibbles an important part of the experience.

Speaking to the LODI team we discovered the company is to open a Moscow office very soon. It will be managed by Valery Smolianinov, who was on the stand, and has recently been appointed country manager for Russia.

The general refreshment area was improved over two years ago but there is still a need for far more tables and chairs. Part of the appeal of such events is that they provide an opportunity for companies and individuals to meet each other. Fortunately the weather was fine as several of these impromptu meetings had to be staged standing in the fresh air outside the exhibition hall.

Lunch provided by N&Pi!
This year exhibition organisers, PC Má©dia, who also publish N&Pi, the excellent trade magazine covering the French professional pest control market, provided all the stands with samples of Beaujolais nouveau and grilled insects – yummy!

But it’s not all fun and jollity; there were plenty of new products to find out about and some interesting technical seminars to attend.

CEPA CEN Standard nearly with us
Roland Higgins director general of CEPA, the confederation of European pest management associations, was keen to update us on the new European Standard for Pest Management Services (now known as the CEPA CEN Standard). The official launch date is set as 17 March 2015.

So, all in all it was a pretty good show. We asked Pierre Kabouche from the organisers what he thought were the reasons for the success of Parasitec 2014. He said: “For me this year’s show confirmed that pest control is becoming a real trade, a distinct profession with a growing need for information and effective solutions that respect the environment. It also demonstrates that the world is becoming more and more sensitive to the problems of public health and food security. The quality of the products shown here, the interest shown by visitors in regulatory issues and technical subjects are proof that this industry has matured. I am sure it will play a leading role in a growing number of countries and that it is preparing for that role with true professionalism.”

The exhibition was spacious with exhibitors from across the globe – Here Babolna from Hungary

 Standing room only at the popular seminars

The LODI bar has become something of an institution
at this event – as these English guests discover!

Alexis Lockman (left) with Valery Smolianinov,
manager of the new Lodi Russian office

Lunch anyone?

Pest associate editor, Helen Riby, making friends

As for the future Pierre continued: “More and more countries are looking to develop their pest control industry. For example, we have just had confirmation of an agreement with the Ministry of Health in Morocco to organise, in partnership, four technical training sessions in major Moroccan cities during 2015.

Istanbul in 2015
In addition, in November, Parasitec 2015 will be held in Istanbul, Turkey, in association with the professional trade federation, HASKOD. And, of course, we are already working on organising the next Parasitec in Paris in 2016, where exhibitors have already booked their stands!”