[PCT on the Road] PestWorld in Photos

Attendees and exhibitors enjoyed the sights and sounds of Orlando in October at NPMA PestWorld, the largest trade show and exposition in the pest control industry.

More than 3,300 pest management professionals navigated the event — which featured 196 exhibitors and more than 120,000 square feet of exhibit space.

NPMA says the event is the premier platform to conduct domestic and international business in the pest management industry. “The packed educational sessions and keynote addresses and the well-attended special events demonstrate the industry’s desire for an event with an emphasis on learning and networking,” said NPMA Chief Executive Officer Bob Rosenberg.

Next year’s NPMA PestWorld will be held in Nashville, Tenn., Oct. 20-23. This page and page 44 feature a photo review from the event. For a slideshow of digital photos, visit bit.ly/1rqFLWl.

Photos: NPMA

The second day of PestWorld 2014 opened with a presentation from Eric Greitens, a former Navy Seal and author of “The Heart and the Fist.” The session was sponsored by Dow AgroSciences, and Dow’s Paul Simons introduced Greitens. The ex-Seal discussed the mission of a leader in relation to his Navy Seal training, combat experience, service as a commander, and founder of the national nonprofit organization, The Mission Continues, which challenges veterans to serve in communities across America.


Left photo: Laura Simpson (right), president of Dugas Pest Control, Baton Rouge, La., was announced as the 2014 NPMA Women of Excellence Award winner, prior to the Thursday general session at PestWorld. The award was presented by NPMA’s Russ Ives (left).

Right photo: Chris Stelzig (left), director of certification for the Entomological Society of America (ESA), presented the first ACE Professional Award to Robert Caine (right), president of Pest Control Specialists, Miami, Fla. This award presentation was new to PestWorld in 2014. Last year, NPMA partnered with ESA to promote the Associated Certified Entomologist (ACE) program. One of this partnership’s initiatives was to recognize the superior contributions of an Associate Certified Entomologist in the field of structural pest management.


Left photo: Tim Brock (left), owner and president of Brock Lawn and Pest Control, was announced as the winner of the third annual Young Entrepreneur Award, presented by NPMA and Rentokil. Brock is a third-generation pest management professional who entered the business full-time in 2000 and purchased the company from his father in 2007. The award was presented by Rentokil North America President John Myers (right).

Right photo: Tom Fortson (left), longtime president of Terminix Service, Columbia, S.C., was announced as the recipient of NPMA’s Pinnacle Award, prior to the Thursday general session at PestWorld 2014. NPMA’s Pinnacle Award is presented annually in recognition of  an individual for their outstanding contributions to both NPMA and the industry. Presenting Fortson with the award was NPMA President Billy Tesh (right).

At the Univar International Reception, Norman Cooper (second from right) was presented with the Global Ambassador Lifetime Achievement Award by Univar Director  for Latin America Benjamin Gomez (right). When Cooper started in the industry, Gomez said, “he guided his technicians on the premise that if you’re not going to be the best, leave — because we are going to do whatever it takes to be the best.” Gomez added that Cooper has represented the industry in a professional and positive light domestically and internationally — speaking on the industry’s behalf in countries such as Japan, Mexico, Canada, Brazil, the U.K., Israel, Singapore, China, and Ecuador. Also pictured are NPMA President Billy Tesh (left) and Cooper’s wife Marilyn.