PLANET rebrands as part of effort to reinvigorate organization

Chalk one up for clarity. The trade group known as PLANET will change its name in April to the National Association of Landscape Professionals. The rebranding is part of a comprehensive effort to reinvigorate and refocus the organization.

"Over the years, we've been having a harder time explaining what PLANET is," executive director Sabeena Hickman said in the online industry magazine Turf. "As we've gotten more penetration into the consumer market, our PR firm spent more time explaining who we are as they pitched stories versus the benefits of what we provide to people."

PLANET—the Professional Landcare Network—was formed from the 2005 merger of Associated Landscape Contractors of America and the Professional Lawn Care Association of America. The group has about 4,000 members, including landscaping contractors, manufacturers, suppliers and consultants.

According to a PLANET news release, the association spent six months on research to refine the strategic direction of the organization. The top three areas identified by members: education, advocacy and promoting high standards and professionalism in the industry.

In "celebration" of the new brand, NALP will offer first-time members 20 percent off a new contractor membership in the association.

"We're going to be announcing a realignment in programming where some things may be consolidated, some things may go away and there may be some new things," said incoming board president Scott Jamieson in Turf. "There will also be the acquisition of new talent to the association to focus on areas where we've been weak." http://bit.ly/1BUaAym

PLANET isn't the only group in this sphere rebranding and refocusing. The American Nursery and Landscape Association and the Association of Horticultural Professionals merged on Jan. 1, 2014, to become AmericanHort.