ABOUT

Statement of Purpose

The Purdue University Pest Management Conference is committed each year to providing the information needed for our industry to move forward. The use of new ideas and technologies promote innovative and environmentally sensitive approaches to pest management. The foundation for progressive pest management is built upon strong programs in continuing education and advanced training. Thus, the Purdue Conference has been designed by an Industry Planning Committee to assist you and your company in meeting these goals.

HISTORY

All it takes is an inquisitive entomologist!
– J.J. Davis, Purdue Entomology Department Head.

Add the friendship of the national leader of pest control professionals, Bill Buettner, NPMA’s executive director, and you have the formula for building an educational system on ideals and ethics. J.J. addressed the 1936 NPMA Annual Convention in Cleveland on industry educational goals, which laid the groundwork for the first Purdue University Conference in January 1937. Being the first educational conference for pest control professionals, attendance was expected to be 10 – 15; instead there were 78 registrations from 14 states. J.J. commented “Never have I found a group of persons more eager to aid themselves.” A conference has been held each year since, including 2014’s blizzard conference (with the university officially closed); the desire for an educational update could not be denied as more than 100 professionals organized their own program for a 3-day conference, snowed-in at Purdue’s Memorial Union.

The Purdue Conference has continued to grow, and evolve, as have conferences, workshops, and other educational meetings across the U.S., as well as many countries world-wide. These educational efforts have paved the way for a professional pest management industry, utilizing a spirit of cooperation to address issues, new technologies, and sound pest management practices for the protection of health, property, and food.  Within this context, the Purdue Conference will continue to be cutting edge.