[Convention Extra] Membership Has its Benefits

In challenging economic times, pest management businesses have difficult decisions to make. Pest management businesses are subject to economic conditions and must contend with issues such as customer satisfaction, legal exposure, regulatory compliance; these are  in addition to costs of running a business. Pests, on the other hand, are concerned with only food, water and harborage; they are indifferent to credit availability, stock market performance or fuel costs. The survival of pest management professionals (PMPs) has created a strategy similar to one pests might choose — banding together in professional trade associations to benefit from the same resources and to protect their industry from attack from outside forces.

Pest management association membership provides that value-added benefit, improving profitability today and protecting the industry’s future. The Florida Pest Management Association (FPMA), for example, has had a long history of promoting professionalism and advancing the industry. FPMA’s longevity has allowed it to develop services that show both immediate returns on dues investments and long-term strategies for developing pest management as a profession. Money saved through exclusive offerings by FPMA Allied Members can exceed the cost of dues — a great return on investment. Initial services recruited by FPMA include:

Discounted gasoline and fleet fuel reporting: BP offers 4¢-per-gallon fuel discounts at more than 1,200 Florida stations, detailed mileage and fueling reports to maximize routing efficiency and controls to prevent nighttime and weekend activity.

Employee screening service: Screening prospective employees controls vehicle costs, worker’s comp, unemployment insurance costs, defends “negligent hiring” lawsuits and protects company reputation. Lexis/Nexis, a national company with extensive Florida coverage, offers special pricing on drug screening, motor vehicle reports, criminal background check, credit history and social security number verification.

Discounted debt collection: GreenFlag Profit Recovery through Transworld Systems produces high rates of recovery for aged accounts receivables with professional, courteous recovery efforts.

Discounted credit card processing: MerchantBank saves thousands of dollars over current banks’ credit card processing fees, including a consolidated statement for all cards processed: Visa, Mastercard, Discover and American Express. 

FPMA logo Visa credit cards: FPMA logo Visa credit cards bear the slogan “Public Health Protection is Our Business.” Issued by Gulf States Credit Union, they offer free balance transfers and low interest rates.

Free legal consultation with FPMA attorney: FPMA counsel Mark Ruff provides free initial legal consultations, which helps members avoid potential costly legal problems.

Free consultation with FPMA Human Resources specialist: Free initial consultations on employment issues help compliance with state and federal regulations.

Chemtrec Registration: For only $35 per year — a savings of nearly $600 — members have access to HAZMAT emergency responders with 24-hour communications that link manufacturers, shippers, carriers and public

T Mobile Service and Equipment through Venicom: T-Mobile and authorized dealer Venicom offer unbeatable prices and the best promotions on the latest equipment and service.

Also, FPMA active members receive additional benefits, including annual convention and trade show, statewide training and recertification opportunities throughout the year. Through the National Pest Management Association’s (NPMA) joint membership program, FPMA active members receive the benefits of both FPMA and NPMA, providing them with instant professional credibility with customers and prospective clients. NPMA joint membership is a great way of combining resources for representation with Congress, key regulatory agencies and national associations. EPA and the Department of Interior, Transportation and Commerce all impact the industry, and NPMA is an effective means of keeping our voice heard. NPMA, along with several states (including Florida), have been engaged with the influential Association of State Pest Control Regulatory Officials (ASPCRO) in sharing strategies for addressing common regulatory issues.  Joint membership provides the credibility of state and national organizations for use in marketing efforts by PMPs.

Visit www.flpma.org for information on member benefits and what FPMA and NPMA are doing for pest management businesses and the profession. In today’s economic times, more than ever, pest management membership is “smart business.” 

The author is executive vice president of the Florida Pest Management Association and can be contacted at afugler@giemedia.com.