Over the next 6-8 months, TPI will work closely with FleishmanHillard to develop research that will provide further insight into consumer views on natural turfgrass. This research will be instrumental in helping TPI develop new benefits for its members that they can use to promote natural turfgrass locally, while at the same time promoting their own businesses and products. This research will also allow TPI to take a more deliberate and instrumental role in promoting natural turfgrasses to benefit it’s members and the entire green industry.

TPI’s Executive Director Dr. Casey Reynolds says, “We are committed to promoting our members and the natural turfgrasses they produce that we are all so passionate about. This initiative is about bringing new benefits to TPI members while at the same time allowing TPI to take a lead role in promoting natural turfgrasses.” FleishmanHillard was selected not only for the quality of its reputation and work, but also due to its international presence. “It is important to us that as we develop these resources, we do it in a way that not only benefits US growers, but Canadian, European, Australian, and other international TPI members as well”, says Dr. Reynolds. FleishmanHillard has over 85 offices worldwide that will allow TPI to meet regionally specific needs and markets in which it’s international members operate. 

TPI members can be on the lookout for these resources to hit the Members-Only Toolkit found on the TPI website sometime in early 2019.  The contents of the toolkit will be largely based upon the results of the market research, but items available to TPI members could include pre-packaged media kits, social media posts, brochures, pamphlets, or more that can all be customizable by location and member farms. “We will continue to strive to bring as much value as possible to TPI members and hope that these new resources will assist our members locally, while TPI simultaneously works to promote natural turfgrasses nationally and globally”- Casey Reynolds, PhD.