Program

Wednesday 6 August 2025
Adelaide Convention Centre, Adelaide, Australia

• Acknowledgement of Country
• Welcome by AEPMA President

Thursday 7th August 2025
Adelaide Convention Centre, Adelaide, Australia

“Adapt and Thrive: Navigating Change in Pest Management”

KEYNOTE PRESENTATION

"Ascending through adversity" - Steve Bell

Drawing from his epic mountaineering experiences, Mt Everest guide Steve Bell shares what the mountains teach us about everyday life.

PANEL SESSION:
Harnessing Technology for Pest Control – Transforming the Pest Control Industry

Jo Lynn Teh  - HYSIA Singapore (Chair)
Panel - Ben Dewitt (Fumax), Rob Boschma (Termite Specialist Control), Adam Carew-Reid (PestWest Australia)

Sponsored by Bell Laboratories

Possums – Introduction; Impact & Risks; Advanced Management Strategies (Exclusion, Deterrent, Relocation & Education) 

Andrew Critchley - Instinct Pest Management

Strategy in Termite Management – Introduction; Impact & Risks; Advanced Management Strategies (Baiting, Chemical & Inspection)

Curtis Thew - BASF Australia

Spiders – Introduction; Impact & Risks; Advanced Management Strategies (Insecticides, Exclusion, Handling)

David Arnold - Envu

From Resistance to Regulation: The Future Landscape of Rodenticide Use in Australia

Gerwyn Jones - President, PMANZ

Cockroaches - Introduction; Impact & Risks; Advanced Management Strategies (IPM, Chemical, Monitoring, Commercial & Domestic)

Steve Broadbent - Ensystex Australasia

Rodent Management: Source over Symptom

Effective Strategies for Lasting Control

Introduction; Impact & Risks; Advanced Management Strategies (Baiting, Trapping, Exclusion & Education)

 Nick Jones - Bell Laboratories

Cowboys, Aliens & the Termite Specialist 

Gary Stephenson - Pest Consultant

Mosquito Biology and Control - Introduction; Impact & Risks; Advanced Management Strategies (Treatments, Fogging/Misting, Water Source & Protection)

Charles McClintock - Sumitomo Chemicals Australia

Nature vs Pest Management - Harnessing Integrated Pest Management

Ravi Singh - Roach Busters Pest Control

Battling Bed Bugs - Introduction; Impact & Risks; Advanced Management Strategies (Heat, Chemical, Inspection & Prevention)

Mark Wilson - Globe Pest Solutions

Birds- Introduction; Impact & Risks; Advanced Management Strategies (Exclusion, Deterrents, Trappping & Nests)

Peter McCarthy - Pest IT

Beyond IPM – Embracing Pest Risk Management for Mosquitoes

Jo Lynn Teh, HYSIA Singapore - on behalf of Dr Raja Mahendran - International Pest Business Consultant

Fire Ants- Introduction; Impact & Risks; Advanced Management Strategies (Baiting, Chemical, Monitoring & Community)

David Priddy - Sundew Solutions
Charles McClintock - Sumitomo Chemicals Australia
 

Friday 8th August 2025
Adelaide Convention Centre, Adelaide, Australia

“Adapt and Thrive: Navigating Change in Pest Management”

Climate change and the future of Termite Distribution & Behaviour in Australia - Evolving Threats?

Dr Theo Evans - University of Western Australia

Training the next generation of Pest Managers - Addressing the skills gap in pest management and ensuring professional development for both new and experienced staff.

John Murray - Flick Anticimex (Chair)
Panel: Andrew Critchley - Instinct Pest Management, Emma Mendelsohn - Noahs Ark Pest Control, Colin Urey - Drop Dead Pest Control

Scaling Success: Strategies for Small Pest Management Businesses to Adapt & Thrive

• Practical strategies for small businesses in the pest management industry to navigate market changes, economic challenges, and shifting regulations.
• How to build a resilient and adaptable business model that ensures long-term growth and success.
• Insights on leveraging technology, marketing, and customer service to stand out in a competitive landscape.
• Financial planning, diversifying service offerings, and networking to boost opportunities for small pest control businesses

Samuel Wood - Bell Laboratories (Chair)
Panel:  Phil Taylor - Pest2Kill, Sue-Ann Tysoe - Checkmate Pest Control, Marshall Blacklock - CDI Pest Management, James Wallace - Aviso Specialty

Business Resilience in Pest Management - practical strategies to future-proof your pest control business in rapidly changing landscapes

Trent Chapman - Local Pest Experts (Chair)
Panel: Jack Dixon - GC Pest Control, Sarah Cutting - Spiderman SE Eco Pest Management, Tom Carter - Terminix Pest & Weed

Catch, Train, Retain - Building a Pest Proof Talent Strategy

Anthony Chan - BuildSkills Australia
Marshall Blacklock - CDI Pest Management

Marketing for Pest Pros: Adapt, Thrive & Grow

This practical workshop is designed to help pest management businesses attract customers, build trust, and stay competitive in a changing market  Learn time-saving strategies, adapt your marketing techniques, leverage social media, create engaging content and discover when and how to use ChatGPT in your marketing efforts to grow your business.

Kerryn Page - QUISK Marketing

Thursday 15 August 2024
The Star, Gold Coast, Australia

“The People in Pest”

AEPMA Presentation & Careers in Pest Launch

– Latest news & updates on the Pest Management Market

Vasili Tsoutouras - President, AEPMA
Marshall Blacklock - CDI Pest Management

KEYNOTE PRESENTATION

“Debunking the Pest-ering Myths of Marketing & How Brands Grow”

Dr Cathy Nguyen, Senior Research Fellow and a Senior Marketing Scientist -Ehrenberg-Bass Institute.  The Ehrenberg-Bass Institute is the world’s largest centre for research into marketing and considered THE authority on marketing by Fortune 500 Companies. 

This presentation turns marketing thinking as you know it upside down. Dr. Cathy Nguyen will introduce the fundamental scientific laws that govern brand growth, for any product in any market. She presents research on how the brain works and buying behaviour that will overturn conventional thinking, exterminating some popular marketing myths along the way.

THE PEOPLE IN PEST – A look at sustainable business practices and how they can make your business a success

In a world increasingly focused on environmental sustainability and facing the challenges of climate change and global health risks, the pest control industry stands at a pivotal moment. This panel discussion brings together leading experts and company heads from the forefront of pest control to explore innovative strategies for navigating the evolving landscape. With a focus on sustainable practices, technological advancements in AI, and the crucial role of skilled professionals, this session will delve into how the industry is adapting to global trade and travel risks, climate shifts, and the drive towards zero carbon emissions.

Join us for a dynamic exploration of the future of pest control, where we'll uncover the resilience and adaptability at the heart of the industry.  

PANEL:
Chair: Vasili Tsoutouras - President, AEPMA
Andrew Stone - Managing Director, Pacific Region, Rentokil Initial
Andreas Sahlbom - President, Region Pacific, Flick Anticimex
Dr David Lilly - Staff Scientist, Ecolab Global RD&E

Panel Session: Manage Customer Expectations

The hardest thing to manage in our industry is not the pests themselves but the clients, so how do the ‘people in pest’ manage the most difficult clients? Our expert panel will dissect the good, the bad and the ugly in managing client expectations to give you the advantage out in the field. Join in the discussion with our panel who will discuss examples from the three service pillars of our industry: domestic, commercial and termite management. 

PANEL:
Chair: Belinda Smith (Rapid Solutions
Rob Boschma (Specialist Termite Control)
Emma Mendelsohn (Noah's Ark Pest Control)
Michelle Downs (Lethal Pest Control)

Food Industry Requirements; Good, Better, Best!

Juliana Elliott - HACCP International

Managing Psychosocial Risk and Harrassment in the Workplace

Tameka Bramwell - Bramwell Partners

25 Years of the Bed Bug Resurgence: An update on the Global Situation

Dr David Lilly - Ecolab

Industrial Relations Changes - How do they affect you?

John Mitchell - Bramwell Partners

Stored Product Insects and the Practical Use of Pheromones

Tom Meuller - Vice President, Insects Limited Inc.

Friday 16 August 2024
The Star, Gold Coast, Australia

“The People in Pest”

Red Imported Fire Ants: An International Invader

Dr Robert Puckett - Texas A & M University
Sponsored by Syngenta

Pest Management in the VET Sector, Jobs and Skills Councils &n Pest Management Training Product Redevelopment

John Murray - Flick Anticimex
Anthony Chan - BuildSkills Australia

PANEL SESSION: Unveiling the Path to Success – Talent Retention, Talent Acquisition Panel

Join us for an informative session that sheds light on the diverse array of credentials available and their critical role in attracting and retaining top talent within the pest control industry.

We will connect the dots by delving into how different companies strategically integrate credentials into their career progression plans and promotion strategies for their teams. Gain valuable insights into the pivotal role credentials play in shaping successful career paths and fostering talent retention in our industry. Don't miss this opportunity to chart your path to success.

PANEL:
Chair: David Gay 
Kuyan Rider (Conquer Termites Northside)
Trent Chapman (Local Pest Experts)
Dr Anna Blackman (Talent Insight Solutions)

Top Tips for Termite Inspection

John Cuniffe - Forensic Building Consultant, Expert Witness & Mediator
Brad Iranzad - Timber Pest Inspector, Educator

Drones in Pest Management - Drone-based surveying of Invasive Animal Populations

Ben Ross - Geospatial Specialist, Ninox Robotics

 new employee in the office - AI/Chat GPT”

Kate Vandervoort - Founder & CEO Social Mediology

In today's dynamic world, the buzz around AI integration into daily life and business is undeniable. Innovative technologies like ChatGPT are reshaping industries across the board. Discover how AI can propel your pest control business to new heights by leveraging the latest tools and insights. Explore real-world applications and gain valuable knowledge about how AI can benefit your operations, streamline processes, and drive success in the pest control industry. Join this jam-packed session to demystify AI and learn the 10 ways you can implement AI into your pest control business today. Don't miss this opportunity to stay ahead of the curve with AI-powered solutions.