The majestic mountains of Denver, Colo., were not the only draw for pest management professionals (PMPs) attending the National Pest Management Association’s PestWorld 2024 event Oct. 22-25.
PMPs seeking a hands-on looks at the latest pest control solutions, equipment and business services packed the aisles of the exhibit hall floor. About 4,000 PMPs, exhibitors, manufacturer representatives, educators and researchers descended on the scenic Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center, setting a new PestWorld attendance record.
The ribbon cutting ceremony marked the official start of PestWorld 2024. Pictured, from left, are NPMA Director of Meetings & Exhibits Megan Moloney, Chris Collins of the John Denver Tribute Band and National Pest Management Association board of directors Bob Dold, Marillian Missiti, Faye Golden, Dominique Stumpf, Emily Thomas Kendrick and Mike Bullert.Kelly McDonald, best-selling author and expert in diversity, equity and inclusion as well as leadership, marketing and sales, was the featured speaker during Wednesday’s Opening General Session. She discussed strategies from her latest book, “How to Work and Lead People Not Like You.”PestWorld 2024 kicked off on Tuesday with an Opening Ceremony jam-packed with attendees who enjoyed the music of the John Denver Tribute Band, an artist known for his love of Colorado.National Pest Management Association CEO Dominique Stumpf, CAE, welcomed attendees to PestWorld 2024 and shared how she came to serve the pest management industry. She also revealed exciting new developments for members.At the Pi Chi Omega President (and PMP Editorial Advisory Board member) Desiree Straubinger, BCE, announced during the Pi Chi Omega membership meeting that the next membership meeting is in a new location: the Georgia Pest Control Association Athens Winter Conference, which will be held Jan. 14-16, 2025. Additional coverage will appear in a future issue of PMP. National Pest Management President Faye Golden revealed how she went transitioned from working on regulatory issues to the pest management industry. The director of government affairs at Cook’s Pest Control thanked her colleagues and family in a gracious, emotional speech during Wednesday’s Opening General Session.National Pest Management Association Past President Marillian Missiti ceremoniously passed the gavel to President Faye Golden, formally kicking off 2024-2025.The 2024-2025 National Pest Management Association board of directors are, from left, President-Elect Emily Thomas Kendrick, Treasurer Mike Bullert, President Faye Golden, Secretary Bob Dold, Ex-Officio Dominique Stumpf, and Immediate Past President Marillian Missiti took the stage at Wednesday’s Opening General Session.Celebrating American Indian culture and history were the Many Winds Dancers, who performed American Indian song, drum and dances. Long ago, Colorado’s population comprised members of several American Indian tribes. The National Pest Management Association’s officers is made up of 26 voting members. They gathered onstage at Wednesday’s Opening General Session.Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton made landfall in September and October, respectively, causing damage across the southeast portion of the United States. Pest control companies were not immune, and the National Pest Management Association offered ways to help. Thursday’s Opening General Session featured NFL Pro Bowler Justin Forsett, who shared his experiences as a football player and encouraged attendees to strive for success. “If you can’t see your success for yourself, no one else is going to see it for you.” Professional Women in Pest Management (PWIPM) awarded its annual Deni Naumann Women in Pest Management Empowerment Grants to, from left, Michelle Taylor, ACE, of Dean’s Pest Control and Morgan Manderfield, BCE, of Ecolab. Pest control industry fraternity Pi Chi Omega held its Raise the Bar event Thursday evening to raise funds for scholarships. PMP Hall of Famer Judy Black, BCE, (Class of 2019), who retired in August as Rollins Inc.’s former VP of quality assurance and entomology, catches up with BASF’s VP of technical Desiree Straubinger, BCE, a PMP Editorial Advisory Board member.
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