When the American Sod Producers Association changed its name to Turfgrass Producers International (TPI) in 1994 (based on a unanimous vote by members attending the 27th annual ASPA business meeting), a new logo was designed and introduced that combined the familiar turfgrass sod roll with the new name and initials. Te new logo was designed by then Turf News editor Wendell Mathews in consultations with the TPI staff.

Inspiring Our Future

A new logo for Turfgrass Producers International had been under consideration for some time. Being that 2017 represented TPI’s 50th Anniversary it seemed an appropriate time to design a logo that could, as Hank Kerfoot of Modern Turf, Inc. stated, withstand the test of time and better reflect TPI as we look to the future.

After numerous discussions with others, Kerfoot proposed a series of considerations be taken into account in designing the new logo which were presented to the creative team at Sod Solutions who were very gracious in working with TPI on the development of a new logo and providing all their services complimentary.

Kerfoot pointed out that in our industry we all recognize TPI stands for Turfgrass Producers International but he stated that it was important to reinforce who we are with current or even potential members and the general public. He wrote, “Our Members know who we are but the most important idea moving forward is that we need brand awareness from golf course builders and superintendents, groundskeepers, soccer moms, erosion control companies, landscape architects, legislators, lobbyists, developers, homeowners, etc. Our new logo should help these groups visualize what we produce.”

Kerfoot went on to express his concern that the word “turf” has been somewhat hijacked and is being dominated by an identified threat to our industry that has a marketing campaign in the millions of dollars versus our non-existent

marketing budget. “If we want everybody to know that we represent natural grass, we better start putting that message on everything we publish, broadcast or otherwise project,” Kerfoot said. He added, “Our new logo needs to bring us into the future and keep us going for quite some time.” Kerfoot’s overall goal, and one that was agreed upon by others, was that the new logo needed to be strong, classic, colorful, withstand the test of time, have a long shelf life, have the potential to be a stand-alone icon that serves as a bullet point on a website and in collateral material and literature.

Te new TPI logo (pictured above) was the preferred choice, not only by the board and committee members, but by the professional marketing group at Sod Solutions that designed numerous logos for TPI’s consideration.

TPI would like to express our sincere thanks to Tobey and LeeAnn Wagner, their Creative Services Coordinator Oliver Smalls, and everyone on the Sod Solutions staff who was involved in this project.

"Our members know who we are ... TPI's new logo should help others visualize what we produce."

Jim Novak is TPI Communications Manager

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