Every year the California pest control industry gathers together in what is the largest annual convention and trade show for our industry in the country, outside of NPMA's PestWorld. This year our convention is in magical Disneyland at the Disneyland Hotel, June 23 - 25. The Happiest Place on Earth!
Our convention program format is designed to provide interesting and informative speakers, an exhibit hall where PCOs can learn about new products, and also to provide some recreation opportunities. We have negotiated discount prices to the theme park which you can't get anywhere else! This year's golf tournament is at the Pelican Hill Golf Resort and is being sponsored by the Orange County District.
Our two keynote speakers this year will be terrific! Steve Sax, former second baseman for the Los Angeles Dodgers, is one of the hottest motivational speakers on the scene today. Don Brady, the director of the Environmental Fate & Effects Division at EPA will give us the latest updates on endangered species regulations and surface water quality issues.
The most important function, however, of this premier event is in the networking that takes place among the attendees: PCOC companies, manufacturers and suppliers. Several manufacturers and suppliers, for instance, take this time to roll out new products because of the high value placed on the exhibit hall.
The installation banquet is a time when we can all be proud of our association: celebrating the dedication and commitment of individuals who provide the leadership in PCOC, and, by the same token, celebrating what PCOC is all about.
Paraphrased from the original Articles of Incorporation of PCOC filed October 28, 1942:
The official purpose of the association is to unite any and all individuals, firms, corporations and other association of persons using insecticides, fumigation or allied chemicals for the purpose of pest control;
to foster the business in profession of said individuals to refute abuses thereof and to secure for ourselves and our business, freedom from unjust and unlawful actions;
to produce uniformity and certainty in the commercial use of the business, to settle differences among members and create a spirit of mutual cooperation and friendly feeling among its members.
I look forward to seeing you all in Disneyland.