PestWorld 2021: Lucky to be Back

Las Vegas is home to many exciting experiences, and this year, PestWorld is one of them. Throughout this week attendees have the opportunity to learn from and reconnect with fellow pest management professionals.

Alexis Wirtz, NPMA’s senior vice president of meetings and association management services, said it was lucky that Vegas was the host city this year. The location for the convention is picked five years prior and Vegas has historically been one of the highest attended locations. She said, “It’s nice to gather in a place that has always been a successful location for the association and one that our members enjoy.”

Wirtz said NPMA is excited to host PestWorld in person again. She added, “Doing it virtually was successful in its own way, but we would much prefer to be face to face with ownership and have the ability to have members interact with one another and network.”

SESSIONS AND SPEECHES. A vintage Las Vegas show featuring celebrity impersonators and thought-provoking speeches from NPMA leaders kicked off Tuesday’s Opening Ceremony, which was sponsored by Bayer.

Alex Banayan is the speaker for the Wednesday Opening General Session, sponsored by Corteva. Banayan is the author of the “Third Door.” This bestseller details his seven-year journey to determine the mindset of successful people such as Bill Gates, Maya Angelou and Jane Goodall. He was listed on Forbes’ “30 Under 30 List” as well as Business Insider’s “Most Powerful People Under 30.” The session will be held on Wednesday, from 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m.

The Thursday General Session, sponsored by Syngenta, features Eric Boles. He is the president and founder of the Game Changers, which is a leadership and development firm. This organization works to help groups build upon their internal work culture and promote higher degrees of accomplishment. Boles believes his experience playing for the NFL’s New York Jets and Green Bay Packers taught him the value of teamwork and achievement, which he now shares with others. Boles will be presenting Thursday, from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

Throughout the week, PestWorld is hosting more than 60 expert-driven educational sessions. Topics range from the latest pest management research to advice for running one’s business more efficiently.

OVERCOMING OBSTACLES. PestWorld is hosting a program called the Workforce Development Initiative, which is designed to help businesses overcome the industry obstacles of recruiting and retaining employees. NPMA launched this initiative in 2019 in order to provide businesses with a variety of solutions to prevent high turnover rates. This invitation-only event will be hosted on Thursday, from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.

NETWORKING. All attendees are encouraged to stop by the In the Mix Reception, which will be held from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Thursday. This event gives PMPs the chance to network with others and learn about NPMA’s various interest groups such as the Leadership Networking Community, Professional Women in Pest Management, PestVets and the Diversity Council. Wirtz added, “The part that everybody’s missed has been being able to be with friends and colleagues and making those connections and learning from one another.”

EXHIBIT HALL. Showcasing over 200 vendors, the exhibit hall gives attendees the chance to be exposed to the latest technology and products in the pest control industry. Industry suppliers and exhibitors demonstrate new techniques and solutions to pest management companies of all sizes. The grand opening of the hall was on Tuesday. For the rest of the week the hall is open on Wednesday and Thursday from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., and from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Friday.

DAY OF SERVICE. PestWorld gives attendees a number of ways to serve the local community of the host city. At PestWorld Gives Back, attendees will gather materials to support community groups and organizations in the Las Vegas area on Friday morning. Another volunteer opportunity taking place at PestWorld 2021 is called PestVets Give Back. This is a project designed to support Las Vegas area veterans.

INDUSTRY AWARDS. Each year, several key awards are presented to NPMA members to showcase their outstanding contributions and accomplishments to the pest management industry. The following awards will be presented during PestWorld 2021 during the Thursday Industry Awards and General Session at 8:30 a.m.:

• Pinnacle Award
• Women of Excellence Award, sponsored by Target Specialty Products
• Young Entrepreneur Award, sponsored by Rentokil North America
• PestVets Veteran of the Year Award, sponsored by FMC
• NPMA Gives Award
• 2020/2021 Committee of the Year
• 2020/2021 Committee Chair of the Year

PWIPM 5K FUN RUN/WALK. Join fellow PestWorld attendees on Friday at 7 a.m. for a 5k run/walk sponsored by the Professional Women in Pest Management (PWIPM).

CLOSING CEREMONY. PestFest, sponsored by MGK, is a celebratory end to PestWorld. Taking place on Friday, from 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., attendees get to enjoy food, drinks and even more Las Vegas entertainment.

COVID-19 MEASURES. NPMA is watching CDC guidelines and adapting to them as the rules evolve. Wirtz said, “We take safety as our largest focus. We want people to feel safe and be able to travel and be there with one another and so we’ll continue to monitor [the situation].”

A virtual component to PestWorld is being considered for international members who may not be able to attend because of COVID regulations in the United States and internationally. She added, “Just a message to our international attendees as well, is that, if they can’t make it there by November this year, that we will certainly be finding ways to bring the value of PestWorld and the education to folks who cannot travel this year.”

The author is PCT’s editorial intern.