PERC finalizes propane-related programs for 2016

The Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) met by conference call Dec. 11 to complete its agenda from the November meeting in Boca Raton, Fla. It approved six additional funding requests, listed below with the principal contractor in parenthesis where applicable.

• $1.8 million for the 2016 Partnership with States program, which supports the state propane foundations and councils by providing matching funds for rebate and market development activities.

• $1.05 million for the council’s 2016 corporate communications program, which includes a digital campaign targeting do-it-yourselfers, a safe-grilling program and routine communications with the propane industry (Swanson Russell).

• $665,000 for the 2016 Marketer Technology and Sales Training program, which educates propane retailers on emerging markets and trains them on how to communicate effectively with prospective customers and ultimately complete the sale. GP Strategies is the council’s new sales training vendor, which will lead about 60 classes in 2016.

• $460,000 for the 2016 advisory committee and program support, covering the cost of committee functions and project administration of PERC programs.

• $394,580 for the Propane Market Research Initiative, which collects market intelligence to help PERC map its strategic direction and provide the industry with information by market segment (ICF International).

• $179,850 for the 2015 American Petroleum Institute (API) survey and support, covering expenses paid to API to gather propane sales data by state.

The council will meet Feb. 18 in Dallas to continue discussions about a new consumer education campaign and to hear from the agency, The Richards Group, selected to lead it.