an invitation to participate in focus groups on biomass boilers

[Elizabeth Keokosky]

I am offering an invitation to participate in focus groups which I am going to be conducting on biomass boilers.

We are trying to collect marketing information for the Cleaner Greener Grant we won to initiate bulk wood pellet delivery as a green alternative for fuel and propane delivery dealers.  I am trying to cover some ground in at least 3 of the 8 Southern Tier counties we are part of so if you know of someone besides yourself  in Steuben, Schuyler, Chemung, Tioga, Tompkins, Broome, Chenango, or Delaware who might be interested please pass this invitation on.

My questions are concerned with the ways people perceive wood pellet boilers (these are boilers, not stoves) and what influences their purchase of a new boiler for their home or small business.    Also to learn their ideas for ways to best forward the bulk wood pellet delivery market and what they as potential customers are looking for.    At the same time we are hoping to inform people of what we are doing, of NY state and Federal incentives, and how best to distribute that information.  I plan to use an informal approach and discussion and if people wander off-track a bit that’s OK.   It should be fun.   There would be a short entry and exit survey.

We hope to offer a $20 incentive as well as refreshments, but that has not been completely approved yet.   I am looking for 3 to 5 groups of 8 to 10 people for a 7pm evening or Saturday at 11am, as yet to be determined.  You could also bring a friend. 

Besides residential we particularly want to include people who might use them for a small commercial enterprise - such as a rural landlord or farm operation

If you are interested please respond to [e-mail] and let me generally know days that might be good for you.     

Thank you and a good summer to you, Betsy