Kentucky council urged to grow grassroots; seminar offers lesson on government, public relations. (Kentucky Paint Council; using public relations to address industry issues)

Louisville, Ky., June 18 -- The paint and coatings manufacturing industry will get a lot of mileage from building solid relationships with government, the media and communities, members of the fledgling Kentucky Paint Council learned at a recent "grassroots seminar" here.

The workshop, featuring addresses by representatives of industry, a fellow paint council, government, and a public-relations firm, drove home the message that developing good relations with key groups is a necessity if the council is to succeed in its mission.

The council, formed in January, got off to a good start during the latest session of the Kentucky General Assembly, said Greg Brotzge, the paint council's executive director. But he said the development and nurturing of ongoing relationships at all levels will be the key to future successes.

"We have to take advantage of our mid-American vantage point and plan ahead for the issues being discussed today on the coasts," Brotzge said. "We need to have our positions heard early and often …