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Together Again In A New Location
t felt good to meet together professional trainers. Heather Alonso,
again. That was the predominant Technical Training Manager for Target
sentiment when the 2021 Iowa Specialty Products, reminded us how far
IPest Management Association we have come as an industry. The new
Annual Conference was held in person and better equipment and pesticides
on November 11 and 12. Adjustments are making our jobs a bit easier and
are a way of life, and IPMA adjusted safer, but pest challenges remain. Tom
to the coronavirus pandemic with a Dobrinska, Training Director at Anderson
virtual conference in 2020. This year, Pest Solutions, was back to remind us that
meeting face-to-face with our conference pest management has evolved, and we
presenters and other pest professionals must too. Finally, perennial favorite Fred
was a welcome approximation of normal. Whitford from Purdue University shared
This time, we were in a new location, the case studies of truck accidents, sobering
FFA Enrichment Center located on the Des reminders of on-the-job risks, and how
Moines Area Community College campus all company employees must be trained
in Ankeny. on safe driving and the proper sequence
One hundred and fifty-seven pest of actions if there is an accident on the
management professionals along with road. Hint: Visit with your insurance agent
twenty-one manufacturer and supplier before the accident.
vendor reps met together to learn from Friday was a full day of presentation,
industry leaders and each other, to share discussions, vendor visits, and networking.
information about tools and techniques, IPMA President Brian Smith called the
and to catch up on how other companies IPMA Annual Membership Meeting to order.
have adjusted to challenging times. Updates, accomplishments, and the state
Back together again of the Association were presented. The
The conference format reverted to its following were elected to the IPMA Board
of Directors: Jon Coakley, Cullen Pest
traditional day-and-a-half schedule. Control, Ft. Madison; and Joel Miller, Miller
The Thursday afternoon “manager’s Pest & Termite, Des Moines. Members
session” featured three well-known
that were re-elected to the IPMA Board
(Continued on p. 6)
IPMA Connection • 4th Quarter, 2021 Page 5
