PestTech 2024 In Review
“Invaluable”, “informative” and “incredible” were just three of the words used by delegates as PestTech 2024 fulfilled its promise to be bigger and better than ever.
After door staff at the Marshall Arena in Milton Keynes pleaded with the NPTA to open the show early due to demand, nearly a thousand delegates came through the doors within the first two hours alone.
And with more exhibitors this year in both number and diversity, there was something to please everybody.
Key PestTech supporters Killgerm, Syngenta and Lodi UK set the high bar again in terms of stands but that quality was a constant across the room.
Delegate Christopher Walker, a technical trainer at Contego, said: “It’s been really good, it compares favourably to last year and also to the other industry event at the ExCeL in London.
“It’s invaluable to the industry because everyone needs to stay abreast of all the new products and the information you can pick up here is incredible.”
Fellow delegate Malcolm Dunn of Pestforce Gateshead concurred: “It’s been very good, a good turn-out and as always a good show with plenty of stands and a lot of good products.
“It’s one of the only times in the year where we get to meet people we don’t normally see. I travel from up north so it’s a day away, a night away, and chance to catch up with people you only see once a year.”
The chance to make new acquaintances and see friendly familiar faces remains one of the event highlights.
“Happy days, I’ve really enjoyed it,” said Tim James of Pestforce Reading. “There’s been lots of new stuff to look at and a chance to meet new people, make new contacts and that’s always good, isn’t it?”
Robert Long from Sabre Kent cited similar reasons but like many others, highlighted the seminar line-up.
“I’ve really enjoyed the seminars, both the ones I went to were very informative,” he said. “The stalls were good and I’ve met lots of friends, which is half the reason we come here. There’s a lot of good networking.
“Overall it’s been better than last year, very good. Thank you NPTA!”
CRRU kicked off the seminars in style as Nigel Cheeseright, Matt Davies and Richard Moseley delivered an insightful overview and update before Ben Waddington of HSS presented his talk on Confined Spaces.
Natural England’s David Wood delivered ‘An Introduction to the Wildlife Incident Investigation Scheme’ before Barbara Lewis’ Water for Kids talk.
Joanne Small spoke about BRC Global Standards on behalf of JS Technical Food Solutions before Martin Cobbald closed the show for Dealey Environmental with ‘Using Fumigation to Press the Reset Button on Infestations’.
Out and about amongst the stands, Defender Bird Spikes stole the show with their incredible ice sculpture which even outshone their ultra-generous range of freebies which included stuffed toys, free shots and bottles of beer.
And bright yellow sunglasses have never been so popular thanks to Powered Now, who may yet take the fashion world by storm as they have with job management software already.
NPTA chief executive officer Kevin Lawrenson was justifiably proud of the event and the team behind it.
“It’s been really, really good from very early doors,” he said.
“At 8.55sm the team on security were asking if they could open early just to let the crowds in, which is good. It’s nice to know that people were here early doors wanting to get in.
“It’s been a continuous flow throughout the day and there’s certainly been more people in here than last year; we reckon well over 1,300, which is not bad!
“It’s not only been the biggest PestTech in terms of exhibitors but also in terms of people turning up on the day too. The feedback we’ve had has been brilliant as well.
Chief operating officer Steve Hallam was similarly pleased.
“It’s been brilliant,” he said.
“We’ve had a super day, and all credit is due to the team that put this thing together. We couldn’t have done it without Maxine and Donna, and Grahame and the team of directors that come here year after year to actually support this event and make it what a success it is today.
“And we can’t do this this without mentioning our supporters, who are Killgerm, Syngenta and Lodi UK.”
Steve added: “Everybody you talk to – from the exhibitors right through to the delegates who come year-in, year-out – say how much they look forward to coming through those doors and they all say ‘what a fantastic show’.
“It’s growing all the time and everyone wants to come.
“We had nearly a thousand visitors come in by 11am – what an achievement, really fantastic!”
