REGISTER TODAY | EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM | EXHIBIT HALL | HOTEL INFORMATION
Join the National Pest Management Association (NPMA) and the National Wildlife Control Operators Association (NWCOA) for an educational program that will provide both technical and business-related information to professionals who are involved in wildlife management or are considering offering this valuable add-on service.
The program at the Wildlife Expo combines training and education with networking opportunities and the chance to check out the newest technology and services in the Exhibit Hall. Whether you are a large company or a one-man shop, use this opportunity to grow this segment of your business by attending this unique meeting.
If you are a member be sure to sign into the registration site with the email we have on file for you and enter NPMA as your password! If you are not a member, and are not already in the NPMA system, you will need to create a New User Account. If you have any problem with the online registration system, please call Shelby at 800-678-6722.
Online Attendee Registration
Online Exhibitor Registration
TUESDAY | WEDNESDAY | THURSDAY
11:00 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Registration
5:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Welcome Reception & Exhibits
7:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Registration
7:00 a.m. – 8:30 a.m.
Continental Breakfast & Exhibits
8:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
Navy SEALs: Climbing the Ladder to Becoming a Top-Tier Operator
Presented by Darren “McB” McBurnett, Retired Navy SEAL
Sponsored by 
Darren is a highly decorated combat veteran, Navy SEAL and diversely skilled operator. As a SEAL platoon leader, he has deployed over eight times into combat zones in four theaters of war. With a 23-year+ career as a United States Navy SEAL, he has operated with multiple SEAL teams to include; SEAL Team One, SEAL Team Two, SEAL Team Three, SEAL Team Four and SEAL Team Eight. While McBurnett has had a successful Navy career, he is also an award-winning photographer, videographer and a well-versed speaker. His message is not only motivational on a corporate level, but also promotes individual and personal growth and responsibility.
This multi-media presentation will highlight the “NEVER QUIT Attitude” which make Navy SEALs successful and share the defining characteristics that promote leadership in a SEAL platoon. McB will go on to share his formula for mastering the basics, as well as a solid decision-making matrix that aids in making difficult decisions under fire. He will tie these principles together with the aspects of Navy SEAL character to illustrate how they are all integral to becoming a top-tier operator in any field.
10:00 a.m. – 10:15 a.m.
Refreshment Break
10:15 a.m. – 11:15 a.m.
Concurrent Educational Sessions
Using Old Techniques and New Technology for Rodent Control
Timothy Madere, City of New Orleans Mosquito, Rodent, and Termite Control Board
The presentation provides an overview of over-looked rodent tracking and trapping techniques as well as a look at new technology with an explanation of why and how you should incorporate the use of these into rodent control work.
Google Adwords in the Wildlife Control Industry - Optimize Visitors to Quality Leads
Douglas Wegener, Google and Andy Patel, K-3 Technologies
This presentation is geared towards wildlife removal specialists looking to get quality leads on the internet. Google Adwords is a Pay-Per-Click program that can get expensive. Doug and Andy will teach you how to set up Adwords effectively, create landing pages, make your program better over time, and monitor real results. Doug and Andy will also provide insights to new strategies that work only in this industry!
11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Concurrent Educational Sessions
Working at Heights
Keith Markun, BEAST Wildlife Solutions and Chris Sims, Eco Wildlife Solutions, LLC
This presentation will address safety and best practices for ladders, ropes and steep pitches. This information will enable you to take on those hard to reach jobs with confidence and help make your company more profitable.
Connecting with Clients Using Joist to Create Sales
Charles Holt, Advantage Wildlife Removal
When you use the Joist App to illustrate exclusion ideas to clients, they get a clear picture of how you will solve their wildlife problem - resulting in higher sales. This presentation will showcase live case study reports generated during this presentation to illustrate the features of this free app.
12:30 p.m. – 1:45 p.m.
Lunch & Exhibits
1:45 p.m. – 2:45 p.m.
Concurrent Educational Sessions
Euthanasia - The Good, The Bad, The Ugly
Stephen Vantassel, Wildlife Control Consultant
The class will discuss the various ways WCOs can dispose of their catches. We will define the differences between euthanasia, humane killing, relocation, translocation and discuss the pros and cons of each. Finally, we will explain why these terms are important to understand and incorporate into your conversations with customers, media and in your marketing.
Zoonotic Disease and the Animal Control Professional: What You Wish You Didn't Have to Know but Absolutely Must!
Dr. Jay Tischendorf, Ultrasafe Pest Management and Dan Aust, Bird Doctor
Animal control personnel are at high risk for zoonotic diseases. This presentation will cover many of these diseases, including the primary host species, routes of transmission, and their signs, and symptoms. Several dangerous, newly emerging maladies will be discussed. Real-life cases will be cited to enhance the learning. There will be special focus on risk prevention and biosecurity/hygiene.
2:45 p.m. – 3:15 p.m.
Refreshment Break & Exhibits
3:15 p.m. – 4:15 p.m.
Concurrent Educational Sessions
Elevating Your Business with a Bucket Truck: A Hands-on Demo
Tommy Rains, Cape Fear Wildlife Control, LLC
How much money do you spend on lift rental? How safe do you feel atop a 40-foot ladder? Hear and see how a bucket truck with a 45-foot reach has paid for itself while increasing employee safety and bottom line. The second half of this presentation will be a hands-on demo of this 45-foot aerial lift.
Proper Attic Remediation: What’s the Big Deal?
Jesse Fraser, Critter Control of NH
This presentation will provide a short discussion on proper remediation of attics which will include an outline of some of the pitfalls like not going far enough with pathogen protection and not adding air sealing and proper ventilation. Jesse will share a video process of a proper attic remediation which will include process, tools, products and staff needed; and address the proper ways to complete the job. He will cover the benefits of and use of spray foam in attics and crawlspaces. Finally, he will discuss training certifications available in mold, asbestos, lead etc.
Wildlife Expo After Hours
This is an optional, add-on session being offered as an additional opportunity to learn and grow your business.
4:15 pm – 7:15 pm
RIDGE-GUARD Installer Certificate: Advanced Sales and Installation Techniques for RIDGE-GUARD
Tony Siri, AAC Distributing
Register separately for this hands-on opportunity on the registration form. The cost for the session will be $25 per person or $50 for non-members.
The staff of RIDGE-GUARD will be presenting the benefits and uses of the new roof ridge vent exclusion product. This will include advanced sales skills to professionally present and educate your customers on roof vent issues, benefits of RIDGE-GUARD, and how to close the sale. In this presentation, NWCOA and NPMA members will also be able to do a tear off and re install of a roof vent and ridge cap, installing wire mesh (the old way) on a large model roof. They also will then get hands on experiences with an actual install of RIDGE-GUARD. This process will give a great understanding and respect of the time savings and money-making potential of RIDGE-GUARD.
7:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Registration
8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.
Continental Breakfast & Exhibits
9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
General Session: The 21st Century WCO
Chris O’Banion, Advanced Wildlife Management
There have been lots of technological advances in recent years, along with the development of many products designed specifically for the NWCO. This presentation will discuss these methods, technologies, and products; and give real life examples showing their use. We will discuss the financial benefits and improved efficiency that can be associated with utilizing newer technologies.
10:00 a.m. – 10:15 a.m.
Refreshment Break
10:15a.m. – 11:15 a.m.
Concurrent Educational Sessions
Metal Work 101: Using Steel as Functional yet Aesthetic Exclusion Method
Brad Witt, DFT Wildlife Control and Richard Hodges, Patriot Wildlife Control
This session will focus on custom design, fabrication and installation methods to address wildlife exclusion of construction design access points common to residential houses at soffit-to-roof returns, fascia eaves, and attic gable vents. Tools, materials, and methods will be covered.
Preparing for the Unexpected Jobs
Ray Hartley, Intrepid Wildlife Services
Have you ever been unprepared for an unexpected job? This session will help others prepare for these unexpected calls. From emergency services to a request to remove a not-so-common for the time of year nuisance animal, Ray will highlight some unusual calls and how he’s handled them by making tools or devices to remove the animal. In addition, he’ll share how to pack equipment for the just-in-case call to minimize space usage in your truck. Being prepared for the unexpected is a very important part of our work. Preparation to overcome this challenge can save time and money and add to your bottom line!
11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Concurrent Educational Sessions
Job Lead Acquisition
Mike Hurley, Animal Control Solutions
Acquiring new jobs is critical to a company’s growth. In this presentation, we will discuss several sources for job leads (internet, referral services, etc.) and the many ways to maximize each and every lead to turn it into a job!
Protecting Buildings from Pest Birds
Heath Waldorf, Bird Control Advisory
Bird control work is wildly different from terrestrial wildlife control and needs to be treated as such for providers of this service to be successful. There are several considerations that must be planned for to properly sell and deliver quality results in this niche field. The speaker will discuss specialized elements of safety, risks associated with success, and strategies for engaging customers when this lucrative opportunity presents itself. This program is intended to engage the audience by applying real-world examples of problems and solutions encountered in the field and leave them with at least that one nugget of gold that they can apply to their day to day operation or long-term strategy.
12:30 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Lunch & Exhibits
1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
NPMA Wildlife Committee Meeting
2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Concurrent Educational Sessions
How to Sell Snake Services
Michael Beran, Wildlife Command Center
This session will provide an exact script in how to sell snake services, how to avoid call backs, how to upsell the obvious seal up against rats, mice, bats, birds (food sources). We will talk about why snake repellents fail and how to sell on that failure. Basic snake biology and specifics of snake Jacobson's organ, also called vomeronasal organ and other good-to-know information on how to make grand money working with snakes. Live snakes for identification purposes provided by David & Karen Milliken.
Squirrels and Raccoons: A WCO’s Bread and Butter
Kevin Cornwell, Cornwell’s Wildlife Control
This presentation is a snapshot of these "cornerstone" species for the Wildlife Control Industry. Handling these money-makers correctly can create an on-going stream of revenue that can grow a solid base for your business. We will cover basic biology, inspection and identification, as well as common removal and exclusion methods. Geared more towards the beginner, but there is something for everyone!!
3:15 p.m. – 4:15 p.m.
Concurrent Educational Sessions
PCP Air Guns in the Wildlife Industry
Chris Sims, Eco Wildlife Solutions and Jim Walton, Farm Snipers, LLC
Offering the NWCO/WCO a primer on air rifle usage in the wildlife industry. We will offer the operator information on proper gun choice, pellet types, optics usage, and how to locate, sell and price jobs. This presentation will also touch on air gun safety in the industry. We are including the perspective of a professional invasive species sniper specialist who will be on hand to offer his view point on air guns in the wildlife industry.
Aerial Wildlife Control Work
Mike and Beth, Canadian Wildlife Capture
Most of us keep our boots planted firmly on the ground (or ladder rung) in the performance of our daily work. However, there are many types of wildlife control down from the air. This presentation will use some amazing film footage to highlight some of the wildlife control work down from the sky!
5:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Final Night Banquet & NWCOA Awards Ceremony
CERTIFIED PROFESSIONAL TRAINING COURSES
National Wildlife Control Operators Association
In conjunction with the 2018 Wildlife Expo, the National Wildlife Control Operators Association (NWCOA) is offering Certified Professional Training Courses for technicians. After successful completion of any course, the student will receive credentials, use of the logo mark in marketing materials and a certificate of completion.
Monday, January 29 & Tuesday, January 30
8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (both days)
NWCOA Certified Basic Wildlife Control Operator Training Course
NWCOA Master Instructors and Certified NWCOA Instructors
The NWCOA Certified Basic Wildlife Control Operator Training Course will be offered by NWCOA to train new and current WCOs that perform wildlife management services in or on residential and commercial properties. This course is a two day, hands-on classroom style training course taught by Master NWCOA Instructors and Certified NWCOA Instructors. Course topics include bats, birds, squirrels and other commonly encountered problem species, animal biology, animal handling, euthanasia, inspection, safety, and more. Upon successful completion of this course and a test, the WCO will receive a certificate of completion, use of the logo mark in marketing materials and become a Certified Basic Wildlife Control Operator.
8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (both days)
NWCOA Advanced Wildlife Control Operator Training Course
NWCOA Certified Instructors
The NWCOA Certified Advanced Wildlife Control Operator Training Course will be offered by NWCOA to train established WCOs that perform wildlife management services in or on residential and commercial properties. This course is a two day, in depth look at topics central to professional operation of a wildlife management company. It is structured as a practical, case study classroom style training course taught by Master NWCOA Instructors and Certified NWCOA Instructors. Technical course topics include: advanced inspection and exclusion, advanced removal techniques and tools, specialty species information on bats, venomous and non-venomous snakes and reptiles, as well as ground squirrels, moles, voles and commensal rodents, and advanced discussion of zoonotics. Management topics include: advanced safety, sales and marketing, and business management practices. Upon successful completion of this course and a test, the WCO will receive a certificate of completion, use of the logo mark in marketing materials and become a Certified Advanced Wildlife Control Operator. Prerequisite: Participants must hold a current NWCOA Basic Wildlife Operator Certification or pass the Basic Wildlife Control Operator test online (for a fee of $100) prior to attending the Advanced Wildlife Control Operator class. For more information, please call NWCOA at 855/Go-NWCOA.
Friday, February 2
8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
NWCOA Bat Standards Compliant Training Course
Certified NWCOA Instructors
The NWCOA Bat Standards will be offered by NWCOA to aid in the survival and future of bats in the North America, as well as educate those who perform bat exclusion services in residential and commercial structures. This course is a one day, classroom style training course taught by Certified NWCOA Instructors. Upon completion of this course and successful passing of a test, the WCO will become NWCOA Bat Standards Complaint. Student will also receive a certificate of completion, have use of the logo mark in marketing materials and will be listed on the NWCOA Website.
NWCOA is a trademark of the National Wildlife Control Operators Association.
THE EXHIBIT HALL
A centerpiece of the meeting is the Exhibit Hall — the largest tradeshow dedicated to wildlife and nuisance bird management. During the program there are several events held in the Exhibit Hall that allow you ample time to meet with vendors and test out new products in an intimate setting.
HOTEL INFO
To make your reservations at the Harrah’s New Orleans Hotel, click here or call 877-466-7847 and mention code S01NPM8 by January 5 to receive the group rate of $164 per night plus tax. Please note, the hotel charges a $14.99 resort fee per room, per night.