The professional pest management industry from around the globe gathered at the Hawaiian Convention Centre in the fabulous location of Honolulu for PestWorld 2023, which ran for four days from October 17 – 20.
Organised by the National Pest Management Association (NPMA), chief executive Dominique Stumpf greeted guests at the opening ceremony. She explained this was a special year for NPMA as the convention celebrates its 90th anniversary.
She thanked everyone for taking the time to come together as an industry saying: “We are stronger and more powerful when we share ideas and support one another.”
The opening ceremony closed with a unique Hawaiian flourish with a performance from traditional fire knife dancers.
During the following three days there was plenty of opportunity for delegates to learn and share experiences. There was a choice of over 51 educational sessions delegates could attend with subjects ranging from technical issues such as new strategies for bed bug baiting to termite technology as well as more commercial topics as the growing use of AI and ChatGPT.
The exhibition is always at the heart of PestWorld events and this year it lived up to its reputation with nearly 200 exhibitors attending, not only from the US but also from Europe and Asia. Here delegates could catch-up on all the new developments and products.
With such a large number of international delegates present, there was excellent attendance at the meeting of the Global Pest Management Coalition.
The work of the four working groups covering sustainability, partnership activities with WHO along with the mosquito response plan were reviewed. The public health & food safety group announced their upcoming Global Summit to be held in Florida, US in June 2024 to coincide with World Pest Day.
PestWorld attracted more than 3,000 delegates, 600 of which were exhibitors. This included nearly 400 international delegates from 50 different countries from across the globe including for the first time, several representatives from Mongolia.
PestWorld events are not all work and no play as there is time for networking and the forming of long-term contacts, specially at the receptions. The international reception sponsored by Orkin always proves popular.
On the final night after the four hectic days, PestWorld in Hawaii drew to a close with a celebratory party overlooking the beach.
Next year’s PestWorld is to be held in Denver, Colorado from October 22-27, 2024.