[Industry Associations] Sign Me Up

Entrepreneurs and business owners know that operating an independent company is a daunting task. Regardless of the industry, executives, managers and business people face a multitude of decisions and responsibilities that require expertise, gumption and leadership. In this environment, professional trade associations provide invaluable support and peer interaction for managers and employees alike.

Pest control industry associations offer a wide array of valuable member benefits, from association newsletters, meetings and networking opportunities to education and legislative lobbying efforts.

Based on the diverse and numerous benefits offered by the 15 state associations that provided data for this article, it is easy to see that pest control professionals have much to gain from participation in local trade associations. What follows is a review of some of the most common association benefits.

LEGISLATIVE LOBBYING. The importance of this service is clear: every state pest control association contacted for this story has some type of organized legislative lobbying effort. In fact, some associations employ a professional lobbyist and maintain political action committees. The Michigan Pest Control Association (MPCA) even goes a step further by appointing a member to serve on the governor’s Pesticide Advisory Committee, working closely with the Environmental Protection Agency in the region and assisting the U.S. Department of Agriculture with local community outreach efforts.

"The Governmental Affairs Committee has worked feverishly on legislation regarding IPM in schools and associated notification requirements," said MPCA President Bill Welsh. "They have been able to get amendments added that will benefit members, and had detrimental items removed from the bill."

The Virginia Pest Control Association, another politically active association, reported a "great rapport with regulators" and a "collective voice in the state legislature" as a result of association efforts.

Organized association activities often result in more positive relationships with state legislators and national agriculture officials, who play a large role in creating regulations that affect the pest control industry. Association members also benefit from special events that allow members to talk directly with senators and representatives. Additionally, associations’ legislative updates and advisories keep members abreast of new developments.

EDUCATION. Ensuring that pest control professionals are up to date on the newest technologies and treatments is a key element of most industry association missions. For example, education is cited as one of the Georgia Pest Control Associa-tion’s primary professional benefits. Member dues support free seminars and workshops that provide the latest information, as well as technology updates, and ensure that members receive the training needed to maintain professional certification.

Other associations, such as the Pest Control Operators Association of West Virginia, offer free lending libraries for member use and "we provide registered technician training packages for pest control and lawn and ornamental firms to use as their own in-house training, as required by state law," said the West Virginia association’s Sue Spiroff.

Eighty percent of the associations polled also offer scholarships. For instance, the GPCA offers scholarships each year to members’ children, as does the Illinois association.

INDUSTRY LEADERS. About half of the 15 associations polled reported that they bestow special recognition upon association leaders and honor outstanding members. In many states, pest control industry leaders serve their associations through official roles, and in many cases, the association provides training for officers. This benefits individuals by making them more effective leaders in the association and in their own companies. GPCA (Georgia) provides the opportunity for a sophisticated leadership program that benefits the participants both in the GPCA and in their own companies.

TRADE INFORMATION. One of the most visible benefits of association membership is the volume of information available through publications, directories, e-mail newsletters, Web sites and other materials provided to members. In early 2004, only two of the associations polled had yet to unveil a Web site. (A complete listing of association Web sites is available online at www.pctonline.com/associations.)

Existing association Web sites offer a plethora of useful information on association events, activities, educational opportunities and industry updates, greatly improving communication between members and their association. Members who are listed on their association Web site benefit from the increased exposure. Many even link company Web sites to the online association listing as an aid to consumers who are searching for local pest control companies.

Printed publications also abound. Many state associations publish a monthly, quarterly or biannual newsletter with information about training, upcoming events and industry news.

PROFESSIONAL NETWORKING. Many professionals in all business settings rely on networking to help share their company’s message and to create a sense of community with their professional peers. Association meetings, training sessions and conventions offer key opportunities to build beneficial professional relationships. Many local associations offer an affiliation with the National Pest Management Association, allowing members to gain an even broader set of benefits.

Jay Bruesch, secretary/treasurer of the Minnesota Pest Management Association, said that networking "keeps competition fair and friendly by allowing member companies to meet together."

Brad Smith, president of the Iowa Pest Management Association, said, "Networking builds trust between members that results in seeing your competition as a partner instead of an enemy. This partnership results in less low-balling of prices and less criticism of your competitors."

FINANCIAL BENEFITS. The Texas Pest Control Association (TPCA) is one example of a state association that offers members car rental and gasoline discounts, credit union membership and access to business services such as debt collection and distributor discounts. The TPCA is also exploring the possibility of offering association-sponsored health insurance programs.

In some states, insurance benefits are already available through local pest control associations. Pest control companies can then steer employees toward this option in cases where company-sponsored plans are not available. Members of the Nebraska State Pest Control Association, for example, can sign up for health and life insurance, an employment referral service, a group disability program and an association credit card.

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT. Besides offering training and information on pest control products and techniques, many associations provide access to goods, services and information that help pest control companies effectively compete in the marketplace.

For instance, the Massachusetts Pest Management Association makes "business-building ideas and resources" available to members. The Michigan Pest Control Association offers training and information on accounting, insurance issues and personnel management. The Florida Pest Management Association provides members free access to a professional management consultant. And members of the Illinois Pest Control Association can request that the association help them initiate audits or financial reviews by a third-party accountant.

SOCIAL INTERACTION. Golf tournaments, holiday events and even a crab feast (for Maryland State Pest Control Association members) are icing on the cake for association members. Not only can fellow association members become valuable business allies, but long-term friendships are sometimes forged through an initial professional bond.

Robert Anderson of the Nebraska State Pest Control Association said, "Friendship with other members can also be a source of new customers, as people and businesses move into your community. Sometimes, they call their old supplier for references in their new city."

MEDIATION. If a consumer has a problem or dispute with a pest control company, some associations provide a framework in which to resolve these disputes. For instance, the Pest Control Operators Association of West Virginia maintains an Ethics, Industry Standards and Arbitration Committee, which serves as a state enforcement agency in mediating disputes and taking appropriate follow-up actions.

CONCLUSION. State pest control associations have unique blends of services designed to support and promote members’ businesses. Getting involved with a state pest control association is an opportunity to better understand the pest control industry, as well as to get an idea of what others in the industry are doing. In a marketplace that changes so quickly and is sometimes quite complicated, associations can be helpful in finding a way to stay rooted and secure.

The author is a frequent contributor to PCT magazine, and owner/president of Compelling Communications. She can be reached at jvanklaveren@giemedia.com.