Convention & Visitors Bureau selected for airport ad contract

Last edited 12:27 p.m., Jan. 19, 2012

The Springfield-Branson National Airport this morning entered a contract with the Springfield Convention & Visitors Bureau to manage advertising placements at the airport starting Feb. 1.

CVB Marketing Director Laura Whisler said during the first year of the contract, the airport and the CVB would split ad proceeds, but the CVB's contract guarantees at least $35,000 in revenues for the airport during the year. In the second year, the airport is scheduled to receive 60 percent of ad proceeds.

The CVB's proposal estimated ad revenues of $100,000 by its second year.

"We'll get started literally this afternoon working on prospecting," Whisler said.

She said the contract is guaranteed for three years and has two options for one-year renewals.

The airport also had been considering Allentown, Pa.-based Clear Channel Airports and St. Louis-based Airport Advertising Inc. Representatives from all three organizations attended a Nov. 2 request for proposals meeting, but according to airport spokesman Kent Boyd, only the CVB ended up submitting a proposal by the Nov. 30 deadline.

The CVB will manage the airport's 17 digital media screens, cobra stands, interactive concierge displays and wall wraps. Other advertising avenues could be explored, according to Springfield Business Journal archives.

Whisler said the CVB initially would focus on the digital equipment but also would consider exploring suggestions and ideas from advertisers.

The mission of the CVB, a nonprofit marketing organization, is to grow the local economy through travel and tourism.

“Approximately 1.5 million people visit the airport’s passenger terminal every year. With an audience that big, we wanted to make sure that a respected, well-known organization represents us,” said Brian Weiler, the airport’s director of aviation, in a news release.

The CVB will host its annual Travel Connections mixer Feb. 2 at the airport terminal to kick off the ad contract.[[In-content Ad]]