11/15/2024

President's Message from Samantha Forrest

Dear MSPCA member!

As we move into the final stretch of the year, I want to extend my appreciation for your commitment to the MSPCA community and the pest management industry as a whole. There’s a lot happening as we wrap up 2024, and I’m excited to share updates on several key areas.

I’m thrilled to announce that Interstate 2025 Registration has opened today!!

• For our PMP attendees, click here to learn more and to register!
• For our Vendors, please remember, slots fill up quickly - get info and register here! 

As always this event will present a valuable platform for professional growth, collaboration, and addressing some of the industry’s most pressing issues. MSPCA is honored to host year after year, our amazing vendors and each and every one of you! We’re excited to share details about the upcoming Interstate Pest Management Conference (IPMC), a premier event for pest management professionals seeking recertification and the latest industry knowledge. More than 600 PMPs attend this meeting each year, not only to earn valuable recertification credits but to gain insights that help them excel in the field. The conference is also home to Maryland's largest exhibit hall, packed with vendors offering the products, services, and expertise you need to grow your business and sharpen your skills.

This year, the conference will take place on January 29 and 30, 2025. The Pest Control Sessions will be held on both days of the conference, while the Turf and Ornamental (T&O) Sessions are exclusively offered on January 30. If you need credits in both Pest Control and T&O categories, plan to register for both days to maximize your opportunities.

Our next MSPCA Board & Annual Meeting will be held next week, November 21, 2025! This is an in-person event and I warmly invite each of you to join us. We’ll gather to discuss MSPCA updates, reflect on this past year, and outline our goals for 2025. It’s also a chance to catch up with colleagues, enjoy some holiday cheer coming up, and network with other professionals. I encourage everyone to attend, as your insights and contributions are essential to our association’s success. Please find the details here.

Regulatory changes are always on the horizon in our industry, and we want to keep you informed on the most current information. On October 7, 2024, the Baltimore City Council enacted Bill 23-0367, which prohibits the use of gas-powered debris removal equipment in the city. This includes equipment such as handheld leaf blowers with a vacuum function used for clearing or removing various types of debris—ranging from manufactured objects to plant, animal, and natural geological materials.

Importantly, this bill does not apply to pesticide application equipment. The transition will be gradual: starting on December 15, 2024, Baltimore City and its contractors will cease the use of gas-powered leaf blowers. For private users, including landscaping professionals, the use of gas-powered equipment will be restricted to October 15 through December 15 in both 2025 and 2026. After that period, the ban will be fully implemented. If you are involved in any debris removal, management or clean up, this may affect you. However, again this does not pose a risk to our industry, as of today. Always keep an eye out for these emails, as we continue to update everyone.

Thank you to everyone who attended the Western Maryland Recertification Training! It was an incredibly successful event, packed with valuable insights and recertification opportunities for our license holders. The turnout and enthusiasm were fantastic, and the feedback was overwhelmingly positive. We’re grateful for your participation and contributions in making this event a success. Our commitment to providing quality, accessible training will continue, and we look forward to bringing more opportunities to our members in the future.

Finally, just a reminder for our MSPCA members through our Savings 4 Members program! These exclusive offerings provide discounted services and products from nationally recognized brands, helping you save on essential business needs. This program is tailored to support small and medium-sized businesses, allowing you to keep costs down while accessing high-quality resources. To see the current savings being highlighted this month, please click here.

Thank you all for your ongoing dedication and support. Let’s finish 2024 strong as we continue to grow, learn, and make a positive impact in Maryland and beyond. I look forward to seeing you at our November in-person meeting and if anything else, at Interstate 2025!

Happy Holiday Season Everyone!