Mark McCrindle is a social researcher, best-selling author, influential thought leader and TEDx speaker. He is recognised globally as coining the name for the emerging generation, Generation Alpha. Mark’s advisory, communications and research company, McCrindle, count among its clients more than 100 of the nation’s largest companies and leading international brands. Mark’s highly valued social commentary is presented through his engaging keynotes, research, reports, infographics, videos and media input. He is a trusted advisor and sits on the board of a number of different organisations, after having developed his regard as an expert demographer, futurist and social commentator. Mark McCrindle, BSc (Psychology), MA, is the author of five books on emerging trends and social change. Generation Alpha, Work Wellbeing: Leading Thriving Teams in Rapidly Changing Times, The ABC of XYZ: Understanding the Global Generations, Word Up: A Lexicon and Guide to Communication in the 21st Century and The Power of Good.

Founder & CEO of Market Ease Digital, Binh has worked with, and advised, some of the largest national campaigns in Australia and abroad, including Hyundai Motor Company Australia, Subaru Australia, Maggie Beer Products, the Detmold Group, SAGE Automation, Etihad Stadium, yd., Tarocash, and the Australian Federal Government; just to name a few. In fact, his work has even extended as far as the US, having worked on a campaign for the Obama Administration.

Binh has spoken at many high profile, national and international events including CPA Australia, the Motors Trades Association, The Educate Plus International Conference, The CEO Institute, The Institute of Public Accountants and the Marketing & Communications Executives International. His views and insights have been featured regularly on the Business Review Australia and the Business Review USA magazines. In 2020, Binh was awarded InDaily's 40 under 40 award in recognition for his business acumen.

Tony Van Eyk is a visionary leader and successful entrepreneur with a strong passion for transforming the customer experience (CX) marketing industry. With a deep understanding of the power of CX marketing, Tony is driven to create new opportunities for small to enterprise businesses and has already made a significant impact through his innovative approach.

With over 10 years of experience running his own companies and consulting with businesses across Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, and Canada, Tony has gained a wealth of knowledge and expertise. He has successfully founded multiple local businesses in the Digital Marketing, Tech, Direct Sales, and Recruitment industries, and his entrepreneurial spirit has allowed him to excel in various sectors.

Tony's diverse background includes working with industries such as trades and services, real estate, telecommunications, utility companies, sporting organisations, and not-for-profit entities. This broad exposure has provided him with a unique perspective and a deep understanding of business operations from an owner's standpoint.

As the Managing Director of Birdeye Australia, Tony leads with an unwavering commitment to helping businesses thrive in today's digital landscape.

Under Tony's leadership, Birdeye Australia continues to pave the way for small to enterprise businesses, providing them with the tools, strategies, and support they need to achieve their goals.

SCOTT HEATHWOOD –

Scott started his selling career at Encyclopaedia Britannica in 1981, by the end of the '80s was working in Investment Banking with McCaughan Dyson, having completed a Masters in Political Science and Philosophy at NSWU.

Following this he entered the Financial Services Business and has built and developed an integrated Financial Services model over 30 years with responsibility for 10,000 client relationships and $500m under the advice of his Australian Financial Services licence (AFSL).

He has 4 university degrees with the addition of an MBA from Macquarie University and a Masters of Law (LLM) from Bond University.
Scott is also;
>Director of the Gallipoli Memorial Club,
>Acting Co secretary of Community concepts providing services to the disabled and Gold Coast Open water swimming,
>Director of The Institute of Financial Professions (IFPS), an association with over 4000 Accountant members

VASILI TSOUTOURAS, CEO, ALLSTATE PEST CONTROL

Vasilios Tsoutouras is the CEO of Allstate Pest Control, a family-owned and operated business. Allstate has been servicing South Australian homes and businesses since 1986. Since then, they have grown from a three-person team to now employing over 45 people.

Vasilios started in the business under the guidance of his father, Peter, some 18 years ago. He has a great passion for the company and the pest management industry. Leading him to be appointed to the position of South Australian Director of the Australian Environmental Pest Managers Association, and he also sits as the President of the National Board, President of the Federation Asian & Oceania Pest Managers Association and the Chairperson of the Global Coalition of Pest Management Associations.

This dedication shows his genuine commitment to the ongoing success and growth of Allstate Pest Control and the Pest Control Industry as a whole.

STEPHEN DOGGETT, MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY, NSW HEALTH PATHOLOGY

Stephen L. Doggett is the Director of the Department of Medical Entomology at Westmead Hospital in Sydney, Australia. He has over 38 years’ experience in the field of medical entomology, produced over 800 papers and presented close to 500 lectures at local and international conferences. He is a world authority on bed bugs, the leading Australian expert on ticks and their management, and a renowned mosquito researcher and insect photographer. Stephen is the Chief Editor of ‘A Code of Practice for the Control of Bed Bug Infestations in Australia’, ‘Advances in the Biology and Management of Modern Bed Bugs’ (the first bed bug textbook in 50 years), and the global ‘FAOPMA Magazine’. Stephen is the only dual recipient of AEPMA’s ‘Award for Excellence’ for services to the Australian pest management industry, being presented with this honour in 2012 and again in 2022.

VASILI TSOUTOURAS, CEO, ALLSTATE PEST CONTROL

Vasilios Tsoutouras is the CEO of Allstate Pest Control, a family-owned and operated business. Allstate has been servicing South Australian homes and businesses since 1986. Since then, they have grown from a three-person team to now employing over 45 people.

Vasilios started in the business under the guidance of his father, Peter, some 18 years ago. He has a great passion for the company and the pest management industry. Leading him to be appointed to the position of South Australian Director of the Australian Environmental Pest Managers Association, and he also sits as the President of the National Board, President of the Federation Asian & Oceania Pest Managers Association and the Chairperson of the Global Coalition of Pest Management Associations.

This dedication shows his genuine commitment to the ongoing success and growth of Allstate Pest Control and the Pest Control Industry as a whole.

BELINDA SMITH, CEO, RAPID SOLUTIONS

Belinda is CEO of niche insurer Rapid Solutions and registered training organisation Rapid Training, a role held since 2017. Based in Newcastle, Rapid has insured and trained pest controllers and building inspectors across Australia and New Zealand for more than 25 years.

Belinda began her career in the construction industry, working her way up from receptionist to General Manager of Newcastle’s largest plumbing maintenance company, an achievement recognized in 2008 when she was named Telstra National Young Business Woman of the year.

Before moving to Rapid, Belinda held a commercial role with TAFE NSW, forming educational partnerships with organisations including Newcastle Airport, the Newcastle Knights and the Hunter Business Chamber.

Since 2016, Belinda has been the chair of Got Your Back Sista, a Hunter based charity supporting women and children escaping domestic violence on their journey from crisis to healing.

Belinda is passionate about leading with compassion and building sustainable, customer focused businesses that support the communities in which they work and serve.

SAMUEL WOOD, ASIA PACIFIC BUSINESS MANAGER, BELL LABORATORIES

Samuel Wood is the Asia Pacific Business Manager of Bell Laboratories, Inc, a dedicated manufacturer of rodent control products. He’s an experienced pest manager, with almost 17 years in the industry. Having started his career in the United Kingdom, he is familiar with differing regulatory approaches, and as a member of the Global team at Bell Labs, has regular exposure to the challenges that are facing other parts of the world.

TARO KANAZAWA – CEO, HYSIA GROUP
President of the FAOPMA (Federation of Asian and Oceania Pest Managers Associations)

CEO of HYSIA group, offering pest management services, food safety and hygiene management consulting services in Japan, Southeast Asia and Australia. Taro joined his family-owned pest control company in Japan in 2009, became the CEO in 2019, is currently managing his businesses from Melbourne where his family is based.

A member of the Japan Pest Control Association and the Singapore Pest Management Association.

CHAIR – SCOTT KLEINSCHMIDT – AUSTRALIAN TIMBER & PEST RESEARCH

Scott has been involved in all things termite related for over 39 years. After completing an Associate Degree in Applied Science in 1983, Scott was selected to continue his learning at the Timber Research section of the Queensland Department of Forestry. Whilst learning varied disciplines such as tree breeding, genetics and timber preservation, it was the entomology research, especially termites, which captured his imagination and he joined the Entomology group in 1984. Scott worked on numerous termite related research projects including the early baiting development work with Sentricon and Exterra during the 1990’s.

In 2001 Scott accepted an offer from Aventis (soon to become Bayer and then BASF) to be the technical lead for termites. Scott was responsible for research and development activities throughout Australia and the Asian region, focusing on getting products registered, providing and presenting technical information to the Pest Management industry and identifying and developing new business opportunities.

After 13 years on the multi-national company rollercoaster, Scott in 2014 started his own company, ATP Research, which provides research and development services to chemical manufacturing companies and a consultancy service to the Pest Management industry. Scott is currently half way through a Masters degree in science.

ROB BOSCHMA – SPECIALIST TERMITE CONTROL

Rob Boschma owns and operates Specialist Termite Control - a winner of multiple awards including National Specialist of the Year and Victorian Pest Manager of the Year. He also works with the Australian Environmental Pest Association at both a State (Vice President) and National (State Delegate) level. Being a second-generation pest manager, Rob is passionate about the industry and its promotion. He has presented at numerous industry conferences on a range of topics, with a particular emphasis on Small Business and Termite Management. Rob aims to provide relevant, independent industry insights with a focus on real world situations.

KEITH FARROW – HOW2TRAINING

Keith has been involved in the pest management industry for over 40 years. His experience is associated mostly with the technical aspects of the industry. He has worked for Flick, Dow AgroSciences, Rapid Solutions and has acted as a consultant, and provided in-field training, technical advice and support across Australia and the Asia Pacific region.

He is on the working parties of several AEPMA Codes of Practice including the Prior to Purchase Timber Pest Inspection Code of Practice.

Over the past 10 years Keith has spoken at numerous company and industry conferences and workshops for groups including PMANZ, AEPMA, FAOPMA and Pest NetWork. He has a Science degree and Post graduate diplomas in Entomology and Education from Sydney University as well as Diplomas in training and assessment.

Keith is currently working with Work Ready Training as a trainer assessor

TRENT CHAPMAN – LOCAL PEST EXPERTS

Hi, I’m Trent Chapman. I’m a 30-year-old pest management technician with 15 years of experience. Yep, I officially signed on to my traineeship in the family business aged 15 in October 2008. Since then, I’ve enjoyed an exciting 15 years full of domestic, commercial and both pre and post construction termite management. My career path saw me take a business management role for the family business in 2015 (Then Amalgamated Pest Control) and navigate the transition to an independent business (Local Pest Experts) in 2016. In 2019 my parents officially retired and now my brother and I co own the business. I worked as a trainer with Rapid Training from 2019-2022, a position that offered me great opportunity to sharpen my knowledge of the pest industry, build stronger networks and even work with the RAAF in training their field operators in pest management skills for deployment. I’m currently studying a Bachelor of Business with Torrens University and am enjoying improving the business operation skills I’ve informally built over the last 8 years. In the limited time I have away from the business, I have enough hobbies to send my wife crazy, not least of which is golf. I have a wife of 8 years, 2 dogs and have avoided the endless pressure to ‘settle down and have kids’ for now. I look forward to seeing you all throughout the conference and from the stage at the ‘managing expectations and educating clients’ termite panel session.

JOEL MITCHELL – CONQUER TERMITES NORTHSIDE

Started in pest control in 1998 with a restricted license, doing all things Termite related since 2004. Keen on Termite biology and management. Working with Conquer Termites for 14yrs.

Mark Wilson is the Technical and Development Manager for the BASF’s Professional and Specialty Solutions division in Australia and New Zealand, before taking this role Mark was the BASF Area Sales Manager supporting pest managers in Queensland and Northern Territory. Prior to joining BASF in 2015 Mark had various roles in the pest industry including pest management technician, branch supervisor and area manager.