INDIANAPOLIS – Are you… ready for it? The Indianapolis Airport Authority has partnered with Girl Scouts of Central Indiana to showcase Hoosier Hospitality, welcoming Swifties at the Indianapolis International Airport (IND) starting today through this weekend.
The Indy airport has rolled out the pink carpet and transformed itself into a welcome for “Swift City” in excited anticipation of Taylor Swift’s The Eras Tour with three shows in Indianapolis from Nov. 1 – Nov. 3.
“This weekend is all about connecting with each other, Swifties, our city, our community – and everyone’s in on the fun,” said Indianapolis Airport Authority Executive Director Mario Rodriguez. “And that includes our employees, who have transformed the airport into Swift City and have even pitched in to make friendship bracelets to share with fans. This is their element – showing off Hoosier Hospitality at the Best Airport in North America.”
Girl Scouts will be located in the airport’s public gathering area, Civic Plaza, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. today through Nov. 2. They will trade and make friendship bracelets with travelers, demonstrating the airport’s KIND world-class brand to some of the more than 200,000 Taylor Swift fans who will arrive throughout this weekend. The bracelets will be labeled with each scout’s name, scout level, and favorite Taylor Swift song.
In total, 1,200 Girl Scouts from 56 troops throughout Central Indiana created 3,000 friendship bracelets, which will be distributed to Indy airport travelers. Girl Scouts received a custom patch for their participation in this community initiative.
“Through this partnership with the Indy airport, we’re celebrating friendship and sisterhood as we welcome Taylor Swift fans to our world-class city,” said Danielle Shockey, chief executive officer of Girl Scouts of Central Indiana. “Hand-making each bracelet together helped to foster a sense of community for our Girls Scouts, and they’re so excited to share stories and their gift with visitors on an international stage at the airport.”
Girl Scouts’ activities will integrate with the airport’s additional “Swift City” theme welcome. Swift City features a 30-foot-tall Taylor Swift image on the Indy airport’s iconic Civic Plaza windows. The image will backdrop local female musical performances throughout the weekend, like Anneliese and Ali, Jamie Nichole, Deoc Ensemble, Amanda McCarthy, Jennifer Mlott and Allison Victoria. The “Swift City” theme will also appear in concert-themed menus and specials at Indy airport restaurants. Swifties can also take home some limited souvenir giveaways – like a Taylor Swift-themed postcard created by local artist Katie Faust.
“The Indy airport is known for doing two things very well. One is being a KIND airport, and the other is partnering with the community, local artists and musicians and welcoming fans to Indy’s biggest and best events,” said Megan Carrico, IAA senior director of public affairs. “Girl Scouts of Central Indiana are going to be a big part of that this weekend when they welcome Swifties with 3,000 bracelets – which they made with their own hands to spread friendship and KINDness on behalf of our city.”
The three nights of Taylor Swift’s The Eras Tour mark an unprecedented event for Indy – and they are anticipated to have a nine-figure economic impact on the city.
“We will have a lot of fans to welcome at the Indy airport,” said Maggie Cunningham, IAA director of air service and airport experience. “We know that more than 80 percent of the concert tickets were purchased by out-of-state fans, and our airline partners have added seat capacity and additional roundtrip flights to accommodate this event specifically.”
Cunningham said airline seat capacity for flights coming into Indy is up 6.6 percent year over year, with an 11 percent increase on Friday and an 8 percent increase on Saturday.
Delta Air Lines increased seat capacity on incoming flights from key destinations, representing a 30 percent jump in inbound capacity relative to a typical November weekend. Sun Country Airlines also added additional round-trip flights from Minneapolis to accommodate fans, and Swifites will receive a special welcome.
After the fun, as fans prepare to depart from “Swift City,” Indy airport officials anticipate Sunday and Monday departures to reach nearly 20,000 and 21,000 passengers, respectively – nearing a record for one of the busiest days at IND. Travelers should arrive at least two hours before departure, especially when flying out during the early morning hours between 5 a.m. and 6 a.m. on Saturday, Sunday and Monday.
For more information on Indianapolis as “Swift City,” explore VisitIndy.com/Taylor-Swift.
