jazz up your yard jazz up your yard chris m. gent manager of corporate communications kissimmee...

Jazz Up Your YardJazz Up Your Yard

Chris M. GentManager of Corporate Communications

Kissimmee Utility Authority

APPA Customer Connections Conference October 23-27, 2004Scottsdale, AZ

The SituationThe Situation• Kissimmee’s population has

increased 22% since 1999• Energy sales increased by

15% in 2003 alone• Tree canopy is disappearing• Residential developers

seldom plant more than the 3-tree minimum

The PlayersThe Players• Kissimmee Utility Authority• City of Kissimmee

– Water Resources– Parks & Recreation

• APPA Tree Power Program• University of Florida Osceola

County Extension Service• Kissimmee Rotary Club

About KUAAbout KUA• Florida’s sixth largest

municipal utility• Provides electric,

water/sewer, Internet, telephone and home security services

• Serves 170,000 residents in five Central Florida counties

ObjectivesObjectives• Distribute free trees• Encourage the planting of the

right tree in the right place• Help reduce energy costs

over time• Beautify the community• Enhance the environment

ImplementationImplementation• Established committee• Identified event tie-in –

JazzFest Kissimmee• Closest Sunday to Earth Day• Developed campaign

– Video– Brochure

ImplementationImplementation• Developed marketing

materials– Utility bill stuffers– Articles and ads in City and utility

newsletters– Web sites– News releases– Video PSA’s– Video broadcast

EvaluationEvaluation• Distributed 1,000 trees

in 4 hours• 25 trees delivered to those

who couldn’t attend

• Great media coverage

BudgetBudget• A $5,000 Florida Department

of Agriculture and Consumer Services grant was used to produce the brochure and video

• A $3,800 education grant was used to purchase trees and utility bill stuffers

BudgetBudget• No cost to ratepayers or local

taxpayers

FutureFuture• Jazz Up Your Yard 2004 took

place on April 25 – an additional 1,000 trees were distributed

• Expansion of program to include other Spring music festivals

Chris M. GentManager of Corporate

CommunicationsKissimmee Utility Authority

(407) 933-7777 x 1116cgent@kua.com