company directories: 17th New York Pest Expo educates PMPs, honors warriors

Wednesday, November 13, 2019

17th New York Pest Expo educates PMPs, honors warriors

The North Jersey Young Marines presented the colors at the 2019 New York Pest Expo. PHOTO: DANIELLE PESTA

Nothing is more important than honoring our warriors. That was the theme Andy Linares, host of the 2019 New York Pest Expo and president of New York-based Bug Off Pest Control Center, reiterated throughout his 17th annual event on Nov. 8, 2019.

Around 400 pest management professionals (PMPs) from the tri-state area and beyond gathered at the George Washington Bridge Doubletree Hotel in Fort Lee, N.J., for the one-day event. More than 30 exhibitors participated in the New York Pest Expo, and coordinated with Bug Off to offer exclusive deals and prizes to the PMPs in attendance.

“We always keep it fresh with new speakers and great topics. Everyone has a wonderful time,” Linares said during his morning remarks to the crowd. “Six o’clock is going to come around and you’re going to wonder, ‘Where did the day go?’”

Kicking off the weekend before the 100th anniversary of Veterans Day, Linares organized a special introduction: The North Jersey Young Marines presented the colors and escorted Dr. Stan Cope, the event’s keynote speaker. Dr. Cope, VP of Technical Products and Services for Catchmaster and a retired Captain of the U.S. Navy, led the attendees in the Pledge of Allegiance.

“We started the event in a beautiful fashion with young marine cadets,” Linares said. “It was a beautiful start to a wonderful day of training.”

The PMPs in attendance raised $1,100 for the Wounded Warrior Project, more than double what was raised at last year’s New York Pest Expo. Bug Off Pest Control will match the amount raised.

The day-long event was full of presentations from industry greats. Featured speakers included:

Dr. Stanton Cope, VP of Technical Products and Services at Catchmaster
John Murphy, Technical Support Manager at Liphatech
Greg Baumann, VP Technical Services and Regulatory Affairs at Nisus Corp. (and a 2013 PMP Hall of Famer)
Dr. Faith Oi, Associate Extension Scientist in Urban Entomology, University of Florida (and a PMP Editorial Advisory Board member)
Lou Sorkin, BCE, consultant with Entsult Associates
Thomas Powell, Technical Field Specialist with MGK