The Pensacola International Airport and Pensacon partnered once again to “Welcome Guests from All Galaxies” during the month of February leading into the 2016 Pensacon (Pensacola Comic Con) convention scheduled for Feb. 19-21.
“We are excited to continue our partnership with the airport this year,” said Kat Bishop, marketing director for Pensacon. “Some of the most well-established comic conventions in the country partner with the major airports in their cities; we received an overwhelmingly positive response from the airport’s progressive, fun approach to marketing.”
Throughout the airport, visitors will see Pensacola Intergalactic Airport logos and signage throughout the terminal highlighting iconic characters and welcome messages. The goal of the campaign is to create a welcoming and engaging atmosphere for Pensacon guests, celebrities and the public and to increase awareness about the airport as a gateway into Pensacola.
“When we changed the airport’s name for the first time last year, we heard from a lot of people—passengers, citizens, friends, officials from other cities—supporting the campaign and enjoying the energy and creativity,” said Daniel Flynn, Interim Airport Director. “Social media and traditional media embraced our promotion and people across the country had great impressions of our airport as well as our city.”
AIRPORT CHANGES NAME TO PENSACOLA INTERGALACTIC AIRPORT
“Pensacola Intergalactic Airport is such a perfect partner for Pensacon,” said Pensacon Chairman Mike Ensley. “The airport has created an atmosphere that makes you feel like you’ve already arrived at Pensacon. Our guests and agent representatives were amazed at the transformation and how well they were treated not only at the airport but across the entire city. In 2015, Pensacon had an estimated 20,000 attendees and had an economic impact of $3.8 million. Our numbers are up for 2016 and we are expecting 30,000.”
Owned and operated by the City of Pensacola, Pensacola International Airport (PNS) is the largest airport between New Orleans and Jacksonville. American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Silver Airways, Southwest Airlines, and United Airlines provide non-stop service to 11 destinations. Pensacola International Airport accommodates more than 1.5 million passengers per year and generates an annual economic impact of over $565 million.
Pensacon is an all-inclusive pop culture convention for the fan community, spanning the genres of comics, anime, sci-fi, horror, gaming and fantasy. In 2014, an estimated 17,000 people attended the convention with a direct economic impact of $1.4 million.