Jazz Up Your Yard Jazz Up Your Yard Chris M. Gent Manager of Corporate Communications Kissimmee Utility Authority APPA Customer Connections Conference October 23-27, 2004 Scottsdale, AZ

The 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 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 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

Objectives 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

Implementation Established committee Identified event tie-in – JazzFest Kissimmee Closest Sunday to Earth Day Developed campaign –Video –Brochure

Implementation Developed marketing materials –Utility bill stuffers –Articles and ads in City and utility newsletters –Web sites –News releases –Video PSA’s –Video broadcast

Evaluation Distributed 1,000 trees in 4 hours 25 trees delivered to those who couldn’t attend Great media coverage

Budget 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

Budget No cost to ratepayers or local taxpayers

Future 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. Gent Manager of Corporate Communications Kissimmee Utility Authority (407) x 1116