A warm aloha from PestWorld in Hawaii

For many, Hawaii was certainly a long distance to travel, but this failed to deter a total of nearly 2,700 attendees, including the usual crop of international pest management delegates you encounter at most of these types of events.

Somewhat to be expected, the most talked about topic at the event was the current bedbug explosion. This was covered not only within the technical educational sessions, but also by the array of products designed to defeat this pest on display within the exhibition.

Bedbugs rounded-off the technical sessions on the final day, when over 300 delegates attended an extended workshop which addressed this topic from an international perspective.

Speakers included Dr Michael Potter of the University of Kentucky, Dr Dini Miller from Virginia Tech, Blacksburg and Dr Stephen Doggett from Westmead Hospital in Australia. Dr Doggett was his usual forthright self saying that in his opinion: “The high levels of global bedbug infestation today are partly due to the poor operational standards of pest technicians attempting to achieve control and the lack of pest management associations in providing industry standards.”

In addition to the technical presentations, the general sessions are highlights of the overall event. At the opening one, Rob Lederer, NPMA Executive Vice President outlined the successes enjoyed by the association during the year. It was therefore most appropriate that Kevin Kordek, NPMA President, presented Rob with a hand-carved kao wood sailing galleon to celebrate the 15th anniversary of his leadership role within NPMA.

The highlight of any PestWorld is the exhibition. This year this consisted of over 115 individual exhibitors extending over 100,000 square feet of space.

European-owned, yet truly multi-national internation exhibitors were well represented with exhibition stands from PestWest, P+L, Silvandersson Sweden, Syngenta, Liphatech, Pest Trader, Bayer, BASF, Igeba, Alchochem Hygiene and Brandenburg.
Making their debut in the US market was PelGar with Brigand – their bromadiolone-based rodenticide launched at the show via their US distributor, AB Bait Co.

This must certainly be the largest such display anywhere in the world. International companies use it as a global market place, to secure distribution for their products worldwide. For other delegates, it is just an opportunity to see what’s new, or just network with other attendees.

Of particular interest this year for all countries which experience termite problems, was the launch of Altriset termiticide from DuPont. Not only highly effective, as you would expect, but with a toxicological profile so benign, it does not require signal words on the label.

Events such as this are not all work and no play. At the international reception reserved specifically for overseas delegates, there was a very convivial atmosphere, helped considerably by the fact the event was held out-of-doors, so all enjoyed a warm Hawaiian evening and sunset.

Commenting on the event, Rob Lederer, NPMA Executive Vice President said: “The packed educational sessions and keynote addresses and the well-attended special events demonstrate the industry’s desire for an event with an emphasis on learning and networking. This year’s event provided sales leads and nurtured existing client relationships for companies operating within the pest management industry.”

He continued by saying: “PestWorld offers an unmatched opportunity to meet in person with thousands of prospective qualified buyers. “And this year, that’s exactly what our exhibitors did.”

Reserve the dates now for PestWorld 2011. This will be held on 19-22 October 2011 in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA.

Delegates and exhibitors came from near and far. Left to right: James Whitaker and Alexander Heimsch from BASF entertain Ton Abel of Network. Centre: Roland Higgins and Gunnar Akerblom representing CEPA. Right: Rupert Broome (Bell) shares a joke with Jonathan Peck (PestWest)