Complete Story
09/13/2024
President's Message from Samantha Forrest
Dear MSPCA member!
As your president, my goal is to foster continued growth, education, and collaboration within the MSPCA. With the ever-changing landscape of pest management, we must remain committed to staying informed, innovative, and adaptable. I am proud to be part of an organization where professionals across Maryland can come together to share knowledge, improve skills, and build relationships that benefit the industry as a whole.
This is exactly what occurred at MSPCA's FIRST EVER, Business Building Blocks & Connections on September 10, 2024. We had over 40 attendees to this non-CEU event, which was amazing. I highlight the non-CEU part, because this was about development of soft-skills, and that is exactly what happened! I took so many notes and learned so much during the half-day seminar. The event was absolutely amazing, with fantastic engagement from the audience throughout the morning and early afternoon. We had great discussions on maintaining a healthy work culture, which sparked valuable idea-sharing and networking among everyone at the event. We even dove into some objection training around sales and outlined ways to enhance our customer service process. Overall, it was an awesome event, full of energy and practical insights!
We look forward to making this event a recurring one in the future!! Thank you to all of the attendees, because you made the event even better!
With all that being said, we do have our end of the year CEU Training! I’d like to remind everyone of the upcoming Virtual Western Maryland Recertification Training for pesticide license holders. This important session will be held on Thursday, October 3, 2024, from 7:50 AM to 12:30 PM. It’s an excellent opportunity for those in Maryland to update their credentials and recertification credits, from the comfort of their own home, office, or in some cases a truck. Registration is now open, and I encourage you to sign up to secure your spot.
Outside of making sure you get your recertification credits, we also ask that you please join us for our annual in-person Board Meeting and Dinner on November 21, 2024, in Annapolis. This gathering is a great chance to connect with colleagues, share insights, and shape the future of our association. This is open to ALL members and we really look at this time as an opportunity to connect, network, and better our state association together.
I want to highlight the remarkable show of unity and community engagement we’ve seen from business owners, employees, and residents of Anne Arundel County regarding Bill 67-24, earlier this month! This proposed legislation aimed to regulate the sale and use of leaf blowers and vacuums, including machinery that could be interpreted as being used for mosquito treatments. The local Anne Arundel Community, including many from our industry, came together to express their concerns to the County Council. Thanks to their combined efforts, the bill was ultimately withdrawn altogether. This is a powerful reminder of the impact we can have when we stand together to protect the interests of our businesses and the communities we serve. A similar bill in Baltimore City (23-0367) is being heard as this newsletter is being published. MSPCA did not engage on this bill, because it specifically identified only machinery being used to move debris that is intended to be thrown away. This is a good example of how just one or two words can change the meaning of a bill.
On a somber note, I want to take a moment to remember Ken Kosiorek, a pillar of our industry who recently passed away. Ken was a passionate advocate for pest management, and his dedication to public health and safety was truly inspiring. As noted in PCT Magazine’s tribute, “Ken’s commitment to the industry spanned decades, and he was known for his mentorship, warmth, and unwavering professionalism.” His legacy will live on in the countless lives he touched.
As we reflect on the impact of Ken, someone who dedicated himself to making our industry better and outlining a lasting commitment to its growth, we are reminded of the importance of leaving our own legacies. His contributions helped shape the path forward for all of us. I look forward to seeing you at our upcoming events and encourage you to stay active within the MSPCA as we continue to grow and strengthen our association. Together, we can honor Ken’s legacy by building our own through active participation and commitment to the future of the pest control industry.
Happy Busy Season Everyone!