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Australian Environmental Pest Managers Association

DRAFT Program
Pesticon 2025

AEPMA reserves the right to change program at any time

Wednesday 6 August 2025
Adelaide Convention Centre, Adelaide, Australia

 
TIME
3:30pm Staggered early Registration Entrance Foyer (West Entrance)
5:00 – 6:30pm Welcome Reception – Sponsored by Ensystex
  • Welcome to country
  • Welcome by AEPMA President
Foyer F (TBC)

 

Australian Environmental Pest Managers Association

DRAFT Program
Pesticon 2025

AEPMA reserves the right to change program at any time

Thursday 7th August 2025
Adelaide Convention Centre, Adelaide, Australia

“Adapt and Thrive: Navigating Change in Pest Management”

 
  STREAM 1 – Main Plenary STREAM 2 – Breakout Room
EXHIBITION HALL CLOSED 06:30 – 08:15 AWPMA Networking Breakfast - sponsored by Envu
TICKETS REQUIRED – see registration page for more information
08:20 – 08:30 Housekeeping
AEPMA Presentation – Latest news & updates on the Pest Management Market
08:30 – 09:00
09:00 – 10:15
KEYNOTE PRESENTATION
"Ascending through adversity" - Steve Bell

Drawing from his epic mountaineering experiences, Mt Everest guide Steve Bell shares what the mountains teach us about everyday life.
Discover how:
- RESILIENCE is in our DNA
- The HARD CHOICE is always the RIGHT CHOICE
- Today is the MOST IMPORTANT DAY of our lives
- PERSPECTIVE alters everything
- UNCERTAINTY means POSSIBILITY

EXHIBITION HALL OPEN 10:15 – 11:00 MORNING TEA  - IN EXHIBITION HALL
11:00 – 12:15

PANEL SESSION:
Harnessing Technology for Pest Control – AI, drones and smart sensors, transforming the pest control industry

Jo Lynn Teh  - HYSIA (Chair)
Panel - Ben Dewitt (Fumax), Rob Boschma (Termite Specialist Control), Adam Carew-Reid (PestWest Australia)

11:00 – 11:30

Possums – Introduction; Impact & Risks; Advanced Management Strategies (Exclusion, Deterrent, Relocation & Education) 

Andrew Critchley - Instinct Pest Management

11:30 – 12:00

Termites – Introduction; Impact & Risks; Advanced Management Strategies (Baiting, Chemical & Inspection)

Curtis Thew - BASF Australia

12:00 – 12:30

Spiders – Introduction; Impact & Risks; Advanced Management Strategies (Insecticides, Exclusion, Handling)

David Arnold - Envu

12:15 - 13:00

Rodenticide Update

Gerwyn Jones - President, PMANZ

12:30 - 13:00

Cockroaches - Introduction; Impact & Risks; Advanced Management Strategies (IPM, Chemical, Monitoring, Commercial & Domestic)

Steve Broadbent - Ensystex Australasia

13:00 – 14:15 LUNCH - IN EXHIBITION HALL
  14:00 – 14:30

Rodents - Introduction; Impact & Risks; Advanced Management Strategies (Baiting, Trapping, Exclusion & Education)

 Nick Jones - Bell Laboratories

14:15 - 15:00

Cowboys, Aliens & the Termite Specialist 

Gary Stephenson - Pest Consultant

14:30 - 15:00

Mosquitoes - Introduction; Impact & Risks; Advanced Management Strategies (Treatments, Fogging/Misting, Water Source & Protection)

Charles McClintock - Sumitomo Chemicals Australia

15:00 - 15:45

Nature vs Pest Management - Harnessing Integrated Pest Management

Ravi Singh - Roachbusters

15:00 - 15:30

Bed Bugs - Introduction; Impact & Risks; Advanced Management Strategies (Heat, Chemical, Inspection & Prevention)

Mark Wilson - Globe Pest Solutions

15:30 - 16:00

Birds- Introduction; Impact & Risks; Advanced Management Strategies (Exclusion, Deterrents, Trappping & Nests)

Peter McCarthy - Pest IT

15:45 - 16:30

Going Beyond IPM with PRM (Pest Risk Management) 
Mosquitoes, latest control measures -

Raja Mahendran - International Pest Business Consultant

16:00 - 16:30

Fire Ants- Introduction; Impact & Risks; Advanced Management Strategies (Baiting, Chemical, Monitoring & Community)

David Priddy - Sundew Solutions
Charles McClintock - Sumitomo Chemicals Australia

 

  16:45 - 18:15 Happy Hour Drinks - Sponsored by Syngenta @ THE DISTRICT - Sky City Incl. Pub Quiz 
(Please note this is an 18+ only venue)

 

Australian Environmental Pest Managers Association

DRAFT Program
Pesticon 2025

AEPMA reserves the right to change program at any time

Friday 8th August 2025
Adelaide Convention Centre, Adelaide, Australia

“Adapt and Thrive: Navigating Change in Pest Management”

 
  STREAM 1 – Main Plenary
EXHIBITION HALL OPEN 08:30 - 10:00 Breakfast - in EXHIBITION HALL
10:00 - 10:10 Housekeeping - update on the day.
10:10 - 11:00

Climate change and the future of Termite Distribution & Behaviour in Australia - Evolving Threats?

Dr Theo Evans - University of Western Australia

11:00 - 11:45

Training the next generation of Pest Managers - Addressing the skills gap in pest management and ensuring professional development for both new and experienced staff.

John Murray - Flick Anticimex (Chair)
Panel: Andrew Critchley - Instinct Pest Management, Emma Mendelsohn - Noahs Ark Pest Control, Colin Urey - Drop Dead Pest Control

11:45- 12:45

Scaling Success: Strategies for Small Pest Management Businesses to Adapt & Thrive

  • Practical strategies for small businesses in the pest management industry to navigate market changes, economic challenges, and shifting regulations.
  • How to build a resilient and adaptable business model that ensures long-term growth and success.
  • Insights on leveraging technology, marketing, and customer service to stand out in a competitive landscape.
  • Financial planning, diversifying service offerings, and networking to boost opportunities for small pest control businesses

Samuel Wood - Bell Laboratories (Chair)
Panel:  Phil Taylor - Pest2Kill, Sue-Ann Tysoe - Checkmate Pest Control, Marshall Blacklock - CDI Pest Management, James Wallace - Aviso Specialty

13:00 – 14:15 LUNCH - in EXHIBITION HALL
EXHIBITION HALL CLOSED 14:15 - 15:00

Business Resilience in Pest Management - practical strategies to future-proof your pest control business in rapidly changing landscapes

Trent Chapman - Local Pest Experts (Chair)
Panel: Jack Dixon - GC Pest Control, Sarah Cutting - Spiderman SE Eco Pest Management, Tom Carter - Terminix Pest & Weed

15:00 - 15:45

Catch, Train, Retain - Building a Pest Proof Talent Strategy

Anthony Chan - BuildSkills Australia
Marshall Blacklock - CDI Pest Management

15:45 - 16.30

Marketing for Pest Pros: Adapt, Thrive & Grow

This practical workshop is designed to help pest management businesses attract customers, build trust, and stay competitive in a changing market  Learn time-saving strategies, adapt your marketing techniques, leverage social media, create engaging content and discover when and how to use ChatGPT in your marketing efforts to grow your business.

Kerryn Page - QUISK Marketing

16:30 Conference Close
18:30 - 22:00 Industry Awards Conference Gala Dinner - Adelaide Convention Centre, Sponsored by Rentokil Initial