The Moodies – Community Engagement
Best Example of Community Engagement
Winner Airport
Kansas City International Airport (Vantage Airport Group): Summer Literature Festival
Kansas City International Airport, in partnership with concessions developer and manager Vantage Airport Group and WHSmith North America, hosted a literature festival from 28 July to 31 July – the Summer Lit Fest.
This campaign spotlighted local children’s book authors in collaboration with Ascend Publishing and Turn the Page KC, a non-profit organisation committed to promoting equal literacy for Kansas City youth. The literary extravaganza targeted a diverse audience including families with children, solo travellers and book lovers.
The event was strategically located in Concourse B, adjacent to the Turn the Page KC store, so travellers could easily access the space and explore books for all ages. WHSmith curated the literary space, taking inspiration from Turn the Page KC, encouraging travellers to pause and engage.
The campaign began with a local author signing pop-up which continued throughout the weekend with displays at selected retail locations at Kansas City International Airport. Signage across the terminal guided passengers to the space where they could meet authors and purchase signed copies.
The festival encouraged literary exploration and community engagement at Kansas City International Airport
With a budget of US$5,000, the event objective was to support literacy and create an engaging experience for passengers. It showcased authors who celebrate what it means to be from Kansas City, following themes of diversity and inclusion.
This initiative offered an enriching diversion for travellers and supported local businesses by driving foot traffic to local retail concepts such as Made in KC Marketplace.
The authors featured in the festival included former Kansas City Mayor Sly James, author of Mayor Sly and the Magic Bowtie; I Can Be Me in KC author Christle Reed; as well as Jim Cosgrove, Julie Snodgrass, Chris Meggs and Crystal Everett.
The festival provided the authors a distinctive platform to showcase their work and fostered a sense of pride and community engagement. The event supported local artists and encouraged them to continue creating literature that resonates with the next generation. Plus it underscored the airport’s commitment to crafting a Sense of Place.
The campaign’s impact was substantial. Foot traffic and dwell time increased, and book sales soared by +119% during the festival week. Vantage Airport Group’s donation of 500 inclusion-themed books to Turn the Page KC expanded the festival’s positive impact, showcasing Kansas City International Airport’s commitment to community service.
Through collaboration, celebration of local talent and community engagement, the Summer Lit Fest demonstrated that an airport can be more than a transit point – it can be a source of inspiration, learning and community enrichment.
Publisher's message
Publisher's message
The Moodie Davitt eZine The Moodies 2023
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