PestTech 2023 will take place at the Marshall Arena in Milton Keynes on Wednesday, November 8. Simon King speaks to one of the founding members of NPTA, chairman John Davison, and Steve Hallam, the association’s chief operating officer
This year’s PestTech will be even more special than normal as it is also the 30th iteration of the event that attracts pest controllers from across the UK, and from further afield.
Once again, the NPTA has gathered together expert speakers and more exhibitors than before will be on hand to present their latest products and explain how to use them to best effect.
John Davison was one of four founding members of the NPTA, and he is now the association’s chairman, and was the recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award at the National Pest Awards.
Recalling the first PestTech, which took place on the campus of the University of Nottingham, Mr Davison said: “When we first formed the NPTA, I had the idea of having an exhibition where technicians could actually come to physically see what the equipment was and how it worked.”
The first PestTech featured three or four stands and Mr Davison, who hasn’t missed PestTech in 30 years, organised the event for 20 years, before the baton was passed on to Donna Alvey, administration assistant at the NPTA.
Mr Davison said: “Donna does a very good job of it and the exhibitor count is up to 65, up eight from the 57 stands at PestTech 2022. She puts a lot of effort into it: PestTech is the jewel in the crown of the association – a chance for technicians to see the products, get the information and to talk to other technicians.”
Mr Davison highlighted that Red Tractor is exhibiting at PestTech, and Kate Cross, compliance manager
at Red Tractor, is also speaking at a seminar from 12-12.30pm.
“We’ve managed to get Red Tractor to PestTech this year, so members can find out exactly what they want for their audits,” Mr Davison said.
Steve Hallam, NPTA’s chief operating officer, highlighted the diverse range of speakers that will be presenting the seminars at PestTech.
“We’re talking about technical issues this year,” Mr Hallam said, “and we’re not having any speakers talking about products and product- based subjects. We’ve got a big exhibition and a good choice of speakers.
“It’s an opportunity for technicians and managers/owners of companies to go out and talk to the manufacturers; if they’ve got issues and problems, they’ll be able to solve those problems.”
Mr Hallam said that, over the years, PestTech has outgrown venues, including the National Motorcycle Museum and the Ricoh Arena, and has now found its home at the Marshall Arena at Stadium MK.
“We’re getting to the stage in MK where we’re getting quite close to actually filling the whole hall, which is a bit daunting, but we have got areas where we can develop,” Mr Hallam said.
“We have the seminars upstairs, which works great, and the rifle range works really well too.”
Mr Hallam said that NPTA will be celebrating PestTech’s 30th anniversary this year, which he said is a great achievement.
“We are fortunate that we have got two of the founding members – John Davison and Paul Burton – both attending the show, as well as a lot of the long-serving members,” Mr Hallam said.
“There is a huge team that makes PestTech work, and we couldn’t do it without our exhibitors, our speakers, our sponsors and supporters, and of course, the delegates that attend the show.”
Mr Hallam said that registration for PestTech has now opened and can be accessed, by clicking HERE.
“Get registered and save time on the day,” Mr Hallam said.