[PCT On The Road] Magical Hawaii

The majestic Hawaiian island of Oahu played host to PestWorld 2010 and the result was a week of professional (education and networking opportunities) and personal (unforgettable sightseeing and relaxation) experiences that helped attendees supercharge their businesses.

Held Oct. 20-23 in Honolulu, PestWorld was attended by nearly 2,700 professionals from the U.S. and around the globe, NPMA reported. This year’s event offered industry-specific educational programs as well as expert-led sessions focusing on technical and business management topics.

PestWorld also provides the association with an opportunity to reflect on this past year and look ahead to its future. NPMA Executive Vice President Rob Lederer noted that 2010 has been a busy year for the association and its members. During the past 12 months, NPMA and its members have been in the spotlight as a result of the national bed bug epidemic. For example, this past summer in the span of eight days, the Professional Pest Management Alliance (PPMA), NPMA’s consumer education arm, gave 400 interviews, resulting in 44 million web impressions. Also during this past year, NPMA raised its profile with its largest international outreach effort — relief trips to Haiti to assist the citizens of this earthquake-ravaged country.

The following photo review is a sampling of highlights from PestWorld 2010. PCT will have additional PestWorld ’10 coverage — including coverage of the Syngenta/PCT Crown Leadership Awards ceremony — in the December issue.
 

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Lederer Recognized for
15 Years of Service to NPMA

Rob Lederer, executive vice president of the National Pest Management Association, was recognized for 15 years of service during PestWorld 2010.

The presentation included a slideshow and member comments read by NPMA President Kevin Kordek. Comments included:

• "Your leadership helped us escape the comfort of the old ideas and set a new course." — Alfie Treleven, Sprague Pest Solutions
• "I believe the most significant improvement Rob has brought to the table is the introduction, planning, development and implementation of PPMA. Through Rob’s leadership, PPMA has been able to greatly enhance the image of our industry. We are no longer seen as ‘bug guys,’ but as part of a professional industry and our image has vastly improved." — Phil Gregory, Gregory Pest Solutions
• "You were the right person at a critical time to change the direction of our association." —Richard Sameth, (retired) Western Pest Services

Kordek then presented Lederer with a model ship as a token of appreciation for his years of service to the association.
 
 

Photos from the event: 

Terminix's Fred Strickland, one of the contributing authors for teh soon-to-be-published 10th Edition of the Mallis Handbook of Pest Control, is interviewed by PCT News Network correspondent Jeff Fenner.

Former Crown Leadership Award winner Sandy Jenkins touring the trade show floor at NPMA PestWorld.

Dr. Michael Potter and his wife, Ellen, at the Ho'olaulea Hawaiian celebration, sponsored by BASF Pest Control Solutions.

Bert Snyder, president of Palmetto Exterminators, Charleston, S.C., and his young daughter enjoy the show at the Ho'olauelea celebration.

A PMP asks a question during the Global Bed Bug Symposium on the final day of the conference.