NEWS
Visit Savannah is bringing the sights, sounds, flavors, and hospitality of Savannah directly to travelers at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport through a four-week, multi-sensory brand activation in Terminal 3.
Running daily through May 24, the experience invites passengers to enjoy a true taste of Savannah in one of the destination’s top nonstop flight markets. The immersive installation features an 8-foot live oak tree, lush florals, destination video, a photo booth, custom luggage tags, visitor guides, Savannah pralines, Nourish soaps, and brand ambassadors dressed in Emily McCarthy clothing.
City of Savannah Mayor Van Johnson is also participating as a welcoming voice for the campaign, helping introduce Midwest travelers to the warmth, spirit, and opportunity found in Savannah and the surrounding coastal region. While in Chicago, the Visit Savannah team also coordinated an appearance for Mayor Johnson on WGN Chicago, where he shared with viewers the many reasons to visit Savannah, from the city’s history and culture to its hospitality, culinary scene, and coastal charm.
“This activation is more than a visitor campaign — it is a strategic opportunity to tell Savannah’s broader story,” said Joseph Marinelli, President and CEO of Visit Savannah. “Through our partnership with the Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport and SEDA’s Regional Industry Support Enterprise program, we are looking at this through the lens of tourism, economic development, and workforce attraction. We want people in the Midwest to see Savannah not only as a place to visit, but as a place to work, invest, build a future, and call home.”
Beyond the terminal experience, Savannah advertising is running throughout O’Hare and across the greater Chicago area, creating a broader citywide presence for the destination. The campaign is a collaborative effort among Visit Savannah, SEDA/RISE, and Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport.
“Experiential marketing matters because it transforms brands into real-life moments, not just messages,” said Angela Westerfield, Chief Marketing Officer of Visit Savannah. “It surprises, engages, and builds authentic connections that screens alone can’t deliver.”
The Chicago activation reflects Visit Savannah’s ongoing strategy to reach high-value visitor markets with creative, memorable campaigns that showcase Savannah’s unique sense of place, hospitality, culture, and quality of life.
