#Social Media Presence - Punta Gorda (PGD)

Ever mindful of marketing, Punta Gorda Airport (PGD) is providing guests with life-size scenes for selfies and group photos that highlight southwest Florida’s best features. In mid-February, PGD estimated that posts to social media, associated shares and general media attention about the photo spots have garnered a reach of about 260,000.

“People are embracing the concept, but they still have to wear masks in the terminal,” says Kaley Miller, the airport’s marketing and communications manager. “We expect it to be even more popular when the mask mandate is lifted.”

In the meantime, staff members remind guests to keep their masks on and “smize” (smile with their eyes).

The airport’s first photo op spot debuted last fall, through a partnership with the Arts and Humanities Council of Charlotte County. Local artist Larry Palmer, whose commissioned works appear elsewhere in the airport, donated his time to paint a sunset over the local harbor. The project team hung Palmer’s mural pre-security to make it accessible the general public as well as passengers, and staged the area with Adirondack chairs.

Reaction to the sunset vignette was so positive, PGD recently added two more photo op spots. This time, the airport used photographs for the backdrops and partnered with the Punta Gorda/Englewood Beach Visitor and Convention Bureau. Scenes just outside the baggage claim feature two popular local activities: fishing and stand-up paddleboarding. Full-size props add to the visual appeal, and signage reminds guests to post their photos with #FlyPGD, #Best SideOutside and #PGDSmize.

In February, airport marketing personnel were devising a prize program to reward guests who use the hashtags when posting or sharing their photos.