International Visitors Double at PestEx 2024 in London

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Editor’s note: Frances McKim, a UK-based freelance journalist, who was a co-founder of the independent Pest magazine, recently returned from PestEx 2024 held in London, UK, March 13-14, and filed the following report, which includes photos she captured on the exhibit hall floor and in the sessions.

LONDON – Exhibitor and delegate numbers were up across the board at PestEx 2024, held at the ExCel exhibition center in London, UK, March 13-14. Held every other year and organized by the British Pest Control Association (BPCA), delegate figures were up 10 percent to 1,609, compared with the event in 2022. But most remarkable was the strong international feel. Visitors came from 62 different countries, accounting for 24 percent of delegates, twice the number that came two years ago.

The number of exhibitors was 111, an increase of 20 perecent. Remarkably, virtually half the number of exhibitors came from overseas – from as far away as China and Korea, along with a good number from Europe and Scandinavia. U.S. companies were well represented by AP&G Catchmaster, Bell Laboratories, Earthcare Products, Flock Off, Kness, Sameday AI, Woodstream, Workwave and Xcluder.

Joe Belcher, international sales manager for Kness, summed up the feelings of overseas exhibitors saying, “PestEx is a great show with lots of international visitors.”

What was noticeable in the exhibition was the large number of booths promoting digital services and products. This ranged from remote monitoring digital traps for rodents and flying insects to a whole array of business support software, including the use of artificial intelligence (AI) for phone answering and booking appointments from Sameday AI headquartered in Lehi, Utah.

But PestEx is more than just an exhibition. Running in parallel throughout the event, in two separate theaters located within the exhibition hall, were a series of presentations and discussion sessions. This was made possible as delegates used headsets so as not disturb the exhibition area. These were particularly popular with standing room only for some.

Continuing the digital theme, one of the discussion sessions debated the use of digital technology and AI. The consensus of the group was that data is the new gold. Data produced enables technicians to analyze what is happening, while at the same time making them smarter, thus raising the industry to a higher level. Patrick Lynch, senior VP of global sales for Bell Laboratories, was one of the panel members and said: “It was an honor to be asked to speak on the panel at a show such as this with its global reputation.”

Next year will be the BPCA’s one-day PPC Live event in Harrogate, UK on March 19, 2025. PestEx returns in 2026.