Interactive

Millions of travelers who pass through Philadelphia International Airport have one thing in common, says Rotarian Joe Batory: They wait for luggage in the baggage claim areas.

That’s why for two years, District 7450 (Pennsylvania, USA) has showcased Humanity in Motion materials in two backlit displays in these areas, which are used by more than two million passengers a month. The district customized public service announcements about water and polio from Rotary’s global public image campaign.

The district’s research found that 8 of 10 travelers read the messages posted in the airport.

“Why not have tens of thousands of people read about Rotary while they wait [for their luggage]?” says Batory, district PR chair and president of the Rotary Club of Philadelphia. “Find a place where you know a lot of people will have the time to actually read the ad.”

District 7450 also persuaded its vendor, Clear Channel Airports, to donate one of the 42 x 63 inch color displays, getting two for the price of one. Such in-kind contributions help stretch funds, says Batory.

He also stresses the importance of using PR materials to tell the story of Rotary and raise awareness.

“We have a story to tell that has not been told very well,” he says. “We want people at that airport to say, ‘Oh, that’s what Rotary does.’ If Rotarians don't tell our story, then who will?”

District governors-elect, PR chairs, and other club and district leaders are encouraged to work with district governors to start planning how they’ll use Humanity in Motion V and other PR materials in the coming year.