PestWorld 2024 Live Blog

Thursday, Oct. 24

Women take center stage at PestWorld

The Professional Women in Pest Management breakfast, sponsored by FieldRoutes, got Thursday off to an early start at the National Pest Management Association's PestWorld 2024.

PWIPM is affiliated with NPMA, and its mission is to attract, develop, and support women in the pest management industry through educational programs, resources, and peer networking.

Mark Tipton, CEO for Aspire, FieldRoutes and ServSuite, greeted PWIPM members and supporters at the breakfast at the Gaylord Rockies Resort and Convention Center in Aurora, CO, in suburban Denver.

Above: Mark Tipton, CEO for Aspire, FieldRoutes, and ServSuite, during the PWIPM breakfast:

"It’s been rewarding to see this group grow," Tipton said. "Your dedication and hard work continue to inspire us. You all are proof to women that a successful career in the pest control industry is possible. It’s especially encouraging to see an industry that has traditionally been male-populated investing in women, and I’m glad to see so many men here supporting this cause."

FieldRoutes, a 15-year supporter of PWIPM and an NPMA Strategic Partner, also will sponsor the PWIPM 5K on Friday morning. FieldRoutes also has been a sponsor of the Impact Awards for Women in Pest Management, another NPMA program.

The PWIPM breakfast is just one of the ways in which the spotlight is shining brightly on women at PestWorld and throughout the industry. Faye Golden, the director of governmental affairs for Cook's Pest Control, took the gavel as president of the NPMA board of directors during Wednesday morning's opening general session. 

Golden, the NPMA's first Black president, received it from outgoing president Marillian Missiti of Buono Pest Control. Missiti served as the first female NPMA president since Laura Simpson in 2012-13. 

And at PestWorld 2025 in Orlando, FL, Golden will complete her term and present the gavel to Arrow Exterminators' Emily Thomas Kendrick, this year's president-elect. That will give the board of directors leadership by a woman in three consecutive years for the first time in NPMA history.

Dominique Stumpf directs NPMA as the chief executive officer.

In addition, Wednesday’s opening session also featured an engaging keynote address from Kelly McDonald, an analyst of marketing and business trends, an author, and a boxer. McDonald offered insights on leading company employees with a variety of backgrounds and differences. 

Largest PestWorld ... and counting

Registration of 4,116 through Wednesday makes PestWorld 2024 the largest in history for the National Pest Management Association.

NPMA is offering one-day passes for home-state pest management professionals on Colorado Day on Thursday, meaning registration will grow.

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Wednesday, Oct. 23

FieldRoutes' Bob McElhannon to present session on sales Thursday

Among the educational sessions being offered to PestWorld attendees on Thursday will be one sponsored by FieldRoutes. 

Bob McElhannon, a FieldRoutes account executive, will present "How to Unlock Sales Success for Your Field Technicians" at 1:30 pm.

McElhannon offers more than 30 years' experience in the pest control industry.

FieldRoutes and ServSuite have exhibited at PestWorld for 27 years.

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Tuesday, Oct. 22

Opening Ceremony kicks off PestWorld

Dominique Stumpf, the chief executive officer of the National Pest Management Association, welcomed registrants at the official opening of PestWorld 2024 on Tuesday at the Gaylord Rockies Resort and Convention Center in Aurora, CO, in suburban Denver.

Stumpf also announced Ecolab as a new Key Partner and introduced the 2025 class for the Leader Launch program.

After a short concert by the Chris Collins John Denver Tribute Band concluded the opening ceremony, PestWorld's Exhibit Hall opened to allow the approximately 4,000 registrants to visit with software providers including FieldRoutes, product manufacturers, and other sponsors. FieldRoutes representatives are available to meet with prospects and customers at booth No. 801 throughout PestWorld.

An annual membership meeting and opening session featuring a keynote address by marketing and business trends analyst Kelly McDonald will open the Wednesday lineup. The day will continue with educational sessions throughout the remainder of the morning and in the afternoon.

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Monday, Oct. 21

Networking begins early at NPMA PestWorld

PestWorld doesn't begin until Tuesday, but networking began during the weekend and continued on the eve of the National Pest Management Association's premier event.

Committees and other groups spent parts of Monday gathering at the Gaylord Rockies Resort and Convention Center in the Aurora, CO, a suburb of Denver.

But the PMP Mastermind Consortium got an early jump with several pest control professionals among its membership taking part in a visit to a gold mine in Central City on Sunday. Then the consortium spent 10 hours together Monday, from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., inside the Gaylord, hearing presentations from sponsors and sharing business successes and challenges.

"Everyone contributes different things, and we all just learn from each other and brainstorm and work through problems and share our misery and challenges," says Matt Purcell, vice president of PCI Pest Control in Olympia, WA.

The PMP Mastermind Consortium, whose own mastermind in Invader Pest Management owner Fred Willey of Glendale, AZ, is made up of 18 companies and began meeting in 2019.

"We grow as people and professionals, and that helps our companies grow," says Denise Trad Warton, CEO of Trad's Pest Control in Jacksonville, FL.

This could be one of the NPMA's largest PestWorlds, with just fewer than 4,000 registrants.

Construction of booths, which will display offerings from pest control software companies, manufacturers and product distributors, and others who support the industry, took place throughout the day in the Aurora Exhibit Hall.

Group and committee meetings will continue Tuesday morning. The opening ceremony for PestWorld is scheduled for Tuesday afternoon, with the event concluding Friday.

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PestWorld begins Tuesday; follow FieldRoutes in Denver

The National Pest Management Association's biggest event, PestWorld, will open Tuesday in Aurora, CO, featuring networking, educational sessions, and more. If you're not able to attend, FieldRoutes has you covered. Just bookmark this link and watch for updates throughout the week.