Leadership, diversity, innovation and advocacy to continue
Dominique Stumpf, CAE, CMP
Thinking back 10 years, few of us could have ever imagined the perpetually connected, technology-driven world we live in today. The iPhone hadn’t been invented yet; dial-up internet was still a thing; and email was something you did in the office at your desktop computer.
So, rather than attempt to predict the tremendous technology of the future, let’s highlight some National Pest Management Association (NPMA) trends that are expected to continue over the next decade:
Increased diversity — Last year, the NPMA doubled down on our Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility (IDEA) efforts. Seeking to ensure every pest management professional (PMP) feels welcome in our association, the NPMA launched the Inclusion, Diversity and Equity (IDE) Task Force to identify opportunities for the association to serve all current and future members. Over the next decade, we expect new industry leaders with diverse backgrounds to emerge because of our members’ efforts to create an association that is welcoming to all. This will be essential as the demographics of our nation and industry change and will be vital to our continued success, making the NPMA and the industry stronger than ever.
Focus on leadership development — Working hand in hand with our IDEA efforts, the NPMA has invested heavily in leadership development over the past five years, which will return dividends over the next decade. Our Leader Launch and Executive Leadership programs are preparing the next generation of state and national association leaders. This next generation of leaders will have an advantage over previous ones because in addition to industry expertise, they will be well versed in the value, benefits and work of the NPMA and be better prepared to lead.
Innovation meets intuition — It’s certain that groundbreaking technologies paired with artificial intelligence will result in more effective, predictive and cost-effective pest management, but the greatest innovations likely will be realized through the most valuable asset our industry has: our people. The entrepreneurial spirit and problem-solving prowess of the pest control industry will result in new ways to approach old challenges and innovative services to meet the pest control needs of clients.
Government affairs remain steadfast — The industry’s need for advocates at the federal, state and provincial levels likely won’t change. Novel technologies may change the way we track and respond to regulatory changes and legislative initiatives, but advocating for the industry is ultimately about people. Over the past two decades, the NPMA’s public policy team has doubled in size, which is correlated with the challenges pesticides face in the media and the public square. Pest control services, however, are used by more consumers than ever — and having smart, engaged people advocating for the industry is one thing that will not change. By meeting the time-tested needs of the pest control industry and blending a diverse and well-prepared group of new leaders, our vision is for the NPMA to be more relevant than ever. By providing a forum to engage diverse viewpoints and novel ideas, our industry will continue to grow and perform our essential duty to protect public health, food and property for decades to come.
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