June 2023 is just around the corner, which means the PCOC Expo in beautiful Monterey, California is getting close. Now is the time to register if you have not already. Speaking of our Expo, I want to dispel a rumor I have heard that the Expo is only for board members or the executive committee. Quite the contrary, in fact. 

The Expo is for all people in the pest control industry. Member companies, non-member companies, member affiliates, non-member affiliates, spouses, students, retirees, technicians, managers, owners, operators, and anyone of the like are all welcome. If you are part of the Pest Control Industry in any way, shape, or form, this PCOC Expo is for you. Even if you live in surrounding states, you are welcome to join us as we are inviting pest control professionals from our neighboring states of Washington, Oregon, Nevada, and Arizona as well.

Please feel welcome and encouraged to join us if you want to improve your business, learn about what is happening in our industry, get continuing education, see the latest and greatest from our exhibitors, and network with other professionals. 

You will not want to miss this Expo starting with the golf tournament at Poppy Hills and the Bug Crawl Pub Crawl on Wednesday, June 21st. Thursday we will hold our committee meetings, which are open as well, even if you are not a committee member. You will learn a lot about the fundamentals of our industry by attending the committee meetings, so please join. There will also be a mixer and a silent auction sponsored by Target Specialty Products, where all proceeds will go to support the PCOC Defense Fund.

On Friday, there will be very beneficial breakout sessions in the morning and afternoon, and an industry Meeting of the Minds Panel with representatives from NPMA, SPCB, and our lobbying firm.  Friday evening we conclude with our Annual Installation Banquet when we will be swearing in our new President, Mary Hernandez, and the officers for 2023-2024.

Go to PCOC.ORG under “Events” where you can Register to Attend, Register to Exhibit, and Reserve Your Hotel Room.  Make sure you save your spot and, if you are interested, be sure to register for Golf and RSVP for the Bug Crawl Pub Crawl. 

I look forward to seeing you all there,

Greg Augustine
PCOC President

The PCOC leadership and staff have created an opportunity for exciting and wonderful memories during the organization's upcoming 2023 Expo. PCOC looks forward to welcoming professional pest management representatives throughout California and around the United States. Please demonstrate your support for the professional pest management industry by attending and/or exhibiting at the upcoming Pest Control Operators of California (PCOC) Expo in Monterey, California on June 21-23, 2023. 

PCOC has finalized the program which highlights top-notch speakers as well as opportunities to interact with professional pest management industry colleagues. The PCOC event is typically one of the largest gatherings of the year for pest management professionals in California and one that you cannot afford to miss.

On Wednesday, June 21st, attendees at the event have the chance to play the renowned “Poppy Hills” golf course in Pebble Beach, California which opened in 1986. Later, that evening, attendees can participate in the “Bug Crawl Pub Crawl” social event which will include stops at various locations within the city limits of beautiful Monterey. These two popular events do require separate registrations, so sign up today to lock in your spots.

Pest management professionals will receive educational information over the course of two days that will be valuable to them throughout the year. PCOC’s leadership and staff have worked hard to minimize the time out of the office while providing excellent content and activities.

On Thursday morning June 22nd, the day will kick off with hour long meetings of the Termite, General Pest, Fumigation and Legislative Committees. (Other PCOC committees will meet before Monterey and give their reports during the Board meeting). The Board of Directors, General Members meetings along with the annual elections will occur early Thursday afternoon. After the PCOC elections are concluded, attendees will gather in the Exhibit Hall for “Mixer with our Exhibitors".  Thursday evening activities will  conclude with the always entertaining “Silent Auction” later that evening.

On Friday, the day will kick off with a “Opening General Session” followed by an “Industry Meeting of the Minds” panel that is sure to address important California pest management topics. There will be a series of three breakout sessions in the morning and afternoon. In between those breakout sessions, lunch will be served inside the Exhibit Hall while they visit with pest management industry exhibitors.

Rounding out the events on Friday evening will be a reception followed by the “Installation Banquet.” For specific registration and background information along with a detailed schedule of times, please click Expo 2023 Attendee Registration.  For exhibitors, click Expo 2023 Exhibitor Registration.

Michael E. Wilson
Executive Director
Pest Control Operators of California

All Event Information can be found at WWW.PCOC.ORG/EVENTS

ROCKFORD, Tenn. – Nisus Corporation is pleased to announce that Javier Ramos has joined the company as a Territory Manager for California and Hawaii. Javier brings valuable experience in operations and logistics to support Nisus' customers and strategic partners in the region. 

"Javier has a deep and unique understanding of distribution and a common-sense approach to business. This combination and his ability to bring people together to reach common goals through collaboration and communication make Javier a welcome addition to the Nisus team," said Jim Sparks, Western Regional Manager of Nisus. Jim and Javier will work closely together to further enhance customers' experience and drive growth in California and Hawaii. 

Javier's background includes a degree from the University of California-Riverside in Public Policy, with an emphasis in Urban Planning & Development. His early career stages focused on transportation planning for Riverside County in California, where he managed projects with local, state, and federal oversight. He then transitioned to a role as Operations Manager with Amazon, leading two site launches and heading site projects to scale savings and improve operations. "I am thrilled to enter the pest control market and combine my operations background with the extensive and exciting goals Nisus Corporation has for its future. The Nisus team is an amazing group of professionals, and I look forward to contributing to our
organizational excellence," said Javier.

"This industry is about relationships. At Nisus, we want to ensure we're helping our customers make decisions that will get them the best results, acting as a resource to them in the process. Javier has the necessary attributes and cognizance for others to make that happen," said President Lee Barrett, Nisus Corporation. "We're excited to have him on board."

Nisus Corporation is a privately held company that produces sustainable, environmentally conscious products in professional pest control, industrial wood protection, and agricultural liquid micronutrients at its manufacturing plant nestled in the foothills of the Smoky Mountains in Rockford, TN.

Press Contact
Brittany Poe
(800) 264-0870

Copywriter, Nisus Corporation
PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
March 10, 2023

Employers are responsible for providing workplaces that are safe from excessive heat. Yet every year, thousands of workers become sick from exposure to heat, and some even die. Heat illnesses and deaths are preventable.

The risk of heat-related illnesses and deaths increases during warm summer months; humidity increases the risk. Heat stroke is the most serious heat-related illness. It occurs when the body becomes unable to control its temperature: body temperature rises rapidly, the sweating mechanism fails, and the body is unable to cool down. Body temperature may rise to 106°F or higher within 10 to 15 minutes. Heat stroke can cause death or permanent disability if emergency treatment is not provided.

Warning signs of heat stroke vary but may include:

• Extremely high body temperature (above 103°F)
• Red, hot, and dry skin (no sweating)
• Rapid, strong pulse
• Throbbing headache
• Dizziness
• Nausea
• Confusion
• Unconsciousness.

How can heat illness be prevented?

Employers should establish a complete heat illness prevention program to prevent heat illness. This includes: provide workers with water, rest and shade; gradually increase workloads and allow more frequent breaks for new workers or workers who have been away for a week or more to build a tolerance for working in the heat (acclimatization); modify work schedules as necessary; plan for emergencies and train workers about the symptoms of heat-related illnesses and their prevention; and monitor workers for signs of illness. Workers new to the heat or those who have been away from work and are returning can be most vulnerable to heat stress and they must be acclimatized.

To prevent heat-related illness and fatalities:

• Drink water every 15 minutes, even if you are not thirsty.
• Rest in the shade to cool down.
• Wear a hat and light-colored clothing.
• Learn the signs of heat illness and what to do in an emergency.
• Keep an eye on fellow workers.
• “Easy does it” on your first days of work in the heat. You need to get used to it.

If workers are new to working in the heat or returning from more than a week off, and for all workers on the first day of a sudden heat wave, implement a work schedule to allow them to get used to the heat gradually. Working in full sunlight can increase heat index values by 15 degrees Fahrenheit. Keep this in mind and plan additional precautions for working in these conditions.

Remember these three simple words: Water, Rest, Shade. Taking these precautions can mean the difference between life and death.

For more information or help, contact the Insurance professionals of EPIC’s PCOC Insurance Program.

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