NPMA Reflects on 90 Years and Looks to the Future at PestWorld ‘23

 

NPMA CEO Dominique Stumpf kicked off this year’s event on Tuesday by reflecting on 90 years. One fun connection she shared is that at least one member of the Dold family (Rose Pest Solutions, Chicago) has attended every NPMA annual convention. dating back to the first convention.  

 

Prior to providing an association update, Stumpf took a moment to reflect on the tragic Maui August wildfires.

 

Stumpf then discussed future NPMA plans, including what the association is doing to evolve and grow. NPMA recently launched the Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility Steering Committee (IDEA), which will work to ensure that, from the highest level, NPMA is helping to shape an industry “that is more representative of the communities we serve every day.” 

 

Stumpf said the Diversity Council is “evolving to meet the needs of the members and with their new direction, is now called Communities Plus, focused on expanding the reach and connecting all communities within the pest control industry.”

 

NPMA is introducing four new communities:

• LGBTQ+ 

• Black and indigenous

• Latino

• Total Wellness

 

Within the next few weeks, NPMA will launching a modernized NPMA website (www. Pestworld.org) that includes new features, a streamlined navigation and improved user functionality. 

 

NPMA’s Women’s Forum hosted 300 attendees this past May and this group remains focused on leadership, networking, collaborative workshops and more. 

 

The association’s first in-person Safety Summit, held in May, brought together industry experts with businesses of all sizes to discuss safety and risk management. 

 

NPMA’s Leader Launch program has been preparing its inaugural class of leaders. 

 

The Professional Pest Management Alliance (PPMA) is reaching consumer audiences through the news media and across social media platforms, touting the value of partnering with a pest professional to solve problems in their homes and businesses.

 

QualityPro, the association’s credentialing program, is celebrating its 20th anniversary in Denver next year.

 

The NPMA Executive Committee recently approved a $25,000 pledge to establish an endowed scholarship through the Pest Management Foundation in recognition of NPMA’s 90th anniversary. The first scholarship will be awarded in 2024.

 

On the public policy front, NPMA has been advocating for nationwide pesticide preemption. Stump said, “These efforts, in tandem with member visits during Legislative Day, have put us in a strong position to see language included in the House version of the bill. In the coming months, we look forward to working alongside NPMA’s applicator champions in the Senate, who remain eager to guide preemption through the conference process and pass a Farm Bill that allows EPA and state lead agencies to cooperatively oversee pesticides without local interference.”

 

Stumpf praised the NPMA Workforce Development Program for doing critical work through its marketing and promotion of the pest management industry as the place to be for a versatile and vibrant career path. It is pursuing partnerships with skilled trade and veteran communities and driving qualified leads to members’ job posts on our exclusive job board, processing nearly 18,000 applications in the past two years. 

 

Another accomplishment for NPMA included a return to the Middle East for PestWorld Each, which Stumpf said drew record crowds.

 

Lastly, Stumpf reflected on The Global Pest Management Coalition and its initiatives, which promote the need for professional pest management services in communities around the world. She said the Global Framework for Pest Management Standards were announced last year are now available in five languages. 

 

Following Stumpf’s remarks, attendees hear from Brittany Bailey of Envu, which sponsored the opening general session. Blaine Kia emceed the opening session, providing a traditional Hawaiian blessing and sharing the story of Oahu.  The session closed with a traditional fire-knife dance.

 

Attendees then headed to a packed exhibit hall, where they visited with vendors to learn about the latest products and technologies in the pest management industry. PestWorld wrapped up on Friday. Click here for additional coverage.