Record Numbers Attend PPC Live in the UK

Editor’s note: PPC Live 2020, the one-day UK pest control industry event organized by the British Pest Control Association (BPCA), was held March 11, at the Yorkshire Event Centre, Harrogate, UK. Despite the fears surrounding the corona virus situation, the event went ahead and delegate numbers were up on the previous event two years ago. Freelance journalist, Frances McKim provided PCT with the following report and photographs.

In the days before PPC Live, the organizers, the British Pest Control Association (BPCA) must have been holding their breath as to whether the event would be held at all. PestProtect, the large pest management trade show in Berlin, Germany due to be held the following week (March 18 & 19) having already been postponed.

In the end record numbers attended, business was brisk on the exhibition booths and everyone appeared very pleased. As events have turned out, this is likely to be the last such large pest gathering in the UK, or Europe, for some months.

A total of 516 people attended PPC Live this year, which was an increase of 34% on those who attended the previous event held in Malvern two years ago. PPC Live travels around the country and is held in alternate years to the flagship event, PestEx, which is held in London.

Nearly 60 exhibitors, by far the majority representing UK companies, had booked booths but four withdrew just before the event due to corona virus fears. Understandably, two of these were from abroad, namely Kness from the US and Plastdiversity from Portugal. However, ServicePro, whose European base is in the Republic of Macedonia, was present.

One exhibitor attending for the first time under its own banner was Terminix UK. The company only launched its new name and identity in early December 2019, following the protracted acquisition of the national accounts part of Mitie Pest Control Ltd by ServiceMaster. Another US company making its debut was Trece Inc who has plans to expand its presence this side of the Atlantic.

For those attending, the event offered a busy schedule. Not only were there the exhibition booths to look over but also a series of technical seminars, as well as indoor and outdoor, practical demonstrations.

OUTDOOR DEMONSTRATIONS. Luckily the weather held and a series of practical outdoor demonstrations were held. Unfortunately it might not have rained, but the wind was blowing hard, so the drone flying demonstration took place but on a somewhat limited scale. The use of traps and guns for such pests as rabbits, foxes and squirrels were shown as was the use of lasers bird deterrents.

INDOOR DEMONSTRATIONS. The brand-new indoor demonstration area proved popular, as visitors were treated to sessions on proofing, face fit testing, catch tray analysis and smart pest control.

Clive Boase of The Pest Management Consultancy held a drop-in insect identification surgery which went down very well, with several people bringing their own samples for identification or just benefitting from a crash course in basic insect identification.

Commenting on the day’s event, BPCA’s very relieved chief executive, Ian Andrew said: “Although it was touch and go as to whether the event was going to be held at all, in the end I couldn’t be more pleased. Visitor numbers were up, exhibitors were very pleased and all the demonstrations and seminars were well attended. We look forward to seeing everyone again at PestEx in 2021.