Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport Renews 10 Year Partnership with Allentown, PA-based Interspace Airport Advertising to Develop Corporate Showcase for New Terminal Building

Come January, the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport will debut its brand new 127,000 square-foot terminal building to the world. Inside, arriving and departing passengers will experience a brand-new, high tech, regionally-themed Corporate and Community Showcase. Lehigh Valley-based Interspace Airport Advertising is designing, building, and maintaining the terminal-wide advertising program, a role it has performed in the existing terminal since 1982. A renewed agreement between Interspace and the Airport’s Bi-County Board of Commissioners extends the partnership between the two organizations through 2015.

“The entire Northeast Pennsylvania region is burgeoning with multi-million dollar development. The airport’s own major construction project is a testament to the growth of the area. The opportunity for a business or organization to be featured in this spectacular new facility is very timely,” says Christopher Betz, project coordinator for Interspace. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport sees over 400,000 ticketed passengers annually, as well as thousands of local meeters, greeters, and others visiting the terminal.

A variety of high-profile promotional opportunities will be available in the spacious new terminal. “The old terminal is somewhat small, dark, and a little antiquated. There are only so many things that can be done when quarters are that tight,” says Betz. “We’ve been limited to some small backlit signs, posters, a small hotel board, and a few glass display cases. Nonetheless, interest in advertising has remained strong.”

The new terminal, several times the size of the old building, affords larger displays and more opportunities. To start, Interspace plans a large, centrally-located telephone information center for the baggage claim area, complete with literature distribution. A 40-foot wide, 10-foot tall graphic wall mural depicting the Northeast Pennsylvania region will be featured on the wall over the baggage carousels. Two 8-foot wide, 4-foot tall backlit scrolling signs on that wall will highlight some of the area’s business and community leaders. “There will even be four specialty display locations for cars, boats, furniture, and trade show displays on the first level. We could never have done that in the current terminal!” remarks Betz.

Additionally, edgelit flat-panel signs will be strategically located around the terminal, including the large concourse and gatehold areas. “Our edgelit sign technology is great. The displays are only 1½ inches thick and blend nicely into the architecture of the airport.”

There will also be a couple of very exclusive opportunities. The airport will have a state-of-the-art business center accessible to both passengers and the public. “We’re looking for a forward-thinking company to sponsor the business center,” says Betz. The business center would bear the name of the sponsoring organization much like is done in performing arts venues and sports arenas.

Interspace estimates that it will invest more than $60,000 in initial capital to create the Corporate and Community Showcase for the new terminal building. “We work hard to create an architecturally-integrated, locally-themed program. When you fly into one of our airports, you instantly know where you’ve landed and who the major players are,” says Betz. “The benefits go way beyond promoting a company’s products and services. What we really promote is the community and all that it has to offer.”

Representatives from Interspace will be on hand at the airport July 18 through July 22 giving prospective display sponsors a sneak peek at the new terminal and the promotional opportunities. “We’re getting a great response. People are pretty excited about the new airport.” Businesses interested in a display at the airport should call Christopher Betz at 800-648-8437 ext. 339 to schedule a meeting.

Interspace Airport Advertising, founded in 1974, is based in Allentown, Pennsylvania. Interspace handles nearly 200 airport display programs across the United States, Canada, the Caribbean, Costa Rica, Guam, New Zealand, and Australia. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport is Interspace’s seventh airport partner.

Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport is owned by the Counties of Luzerne and Lackawanna in Pennsylvania. The Airport is the region's gateway to Northeastern Pennsylvania, offering area travelers approximately 70 daily arrivals and departures to ten major hubs, with one-stop service to over 450 destinations worldwide.

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