01/28/2020

70th Annual Pest Control Technician's School Opens in Durham

Record number of attendees expected at NCPMA’s largest conference

The 70th Annual Pest Control Technician’s (PCT) School opened today at the Sheraton Imperial Hotel and Conference Center in Durham. The event, which is sponsored by the North Carolina Pest Management Association (NCPMA), attracted more than 1,000 pest management professionals, making it the largest NCPMA PCT School to date.   

The three-day event features sessions for education, training and networking.

“In February 1951, a group of pest management individuals gathered for two days of classes that were designed to broaden their knowledge of their craft and create unity among our industry. What started as a two-day course has evolved into what we today call the Pest Control Technician’s School, and it has served as one of our greatest achievements for 70 years,” said Clint Miller, NCPMA President. “We are proud to continue this great tradition and look forward to our biggest event yet.”

Highlights of the 2020 PCT School include:

• Keynote Speech: The keynote speech was given by Ray “Cash” Care, a Navy SEAL veteran who presented about the value of teamwork and self-improvement. 
• North Carolina State University (NCSU) Hands-On Spray School and Live Learning Course: Started in 2019, this hands-on training session for pest management managers and technicians focuses on proper equipment handling, calibration and repair and how to ensure accurate pesticide application rates and techniques. The event is being held at the Sheraton Imperial Hotel and Convention Center.
• A.C.E. Review Course and Exam: The PCT School offers the Associate Certified Entomologist (ACE) Review Class and Exam from the Entomological Society of America (ESA). In 2019, 7 of the 9 participants who took the review course at the PCT School passed the exam.

The event is offered by the North Carolina Pest Management Association (NCPMA) and is held at the Sheraton Imperial Hotel and Convention Center. The 2020 PCT School began today and continues through Jan. 30.