Brisbane Airport takes off with kid-ventures and happy travellers

Transforming the travel experience at Brisbane Airport

Foundation client Brisbane Airport Corporation (BAC) engaged BonBon to surprise and delight travellers passing through the Domestic and International Terminals and Skygate retail precinct throughout 2023.

Positioning Brisbane Airport as the ultimate stopover destination between flights, BonBon collaborated to develop strategic campaigns and execute cracking activations that captivated families, holidaymakers, adventurers and business professionals.

BonBon increased engagement with major city events including the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023, produced enchanting school holiday activities and shone a spotlight on delectable dining options at the Domestic Terminal.

Combining entertainment, crafting and retailer spotlights, BonBon curated classy kid-ventures that turned the challenge of travelling with little ones into a glorious dream as kids explored and played safely while parents savoured a moment to relax.

Creating a seamless experience from start to finish, little travellers also enjoyed takeaway gifts including adventure books and hand-decorated cookies for an enjoyable flight.

CONFETTI-WORTHY RESULTS (2023)

25,109

engaged passengers

75

participating retailers

30

cracking suppliers

18

dedicated staff

8000

entertaining activity books

22

key activations

3

bespoke locations

MAKING MEMORIES

Bringing sparkle to Christmas travel

BonBon sprinkled festive cheer throughout the Domestic Terminal and Skygate over Christmas 2022, returning in 2023 with added activations in the International Terminal. The celebrations featured Christmas crafting, face painting, carollers and roving entertainment. Travellers enjoyed photos with Santa, retail engagement with custom gift bags upon purchase and a spin-the-wheel prize activation. BonBon’s activities encouraged passengers to embrace the festive spirit as they embarked on summer holidays. Additionally in 2023, BonBon proudly coordinated special performances by esteemed BAC partners such as the Pride Choir, Camerata, Queensland Ballet and Opera Queensland.

Hopping into Easter school holidays

The Easter Picnic popped up for two weeks at the Domestic Terminal and Skygate. Themed for the season, school holiday adventures were enhanced with crafting, movies and a reading corner. BonBon delivered the full creative concept, curated crafting, supplier engagement, installation and staffing. The team also supported BAC staff and accompanied Bluey and Bingo when the animated stars made special guest appearances at the Domestic Terminal and Skygate.

Bringing the outside in at Camp BNE

BonBon expanded its activity to deliver mid-year school holiday fun to both Brisbane Domestic and International Terminals plus Skygate. Themed to embrace camping and outdoor holiday experiences, BonBon planned an exciting scavenger hunt with airside retailers and hosted cookie–decorating classes, crafting and movie screenings across the three locations.

Kicking goals with the Matildas

Helping BAC leverage its partnership with the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023, BonBon was engaged to connect with the increased number of passengers moving through the Domestic and International Terminals to see matches across Australia and New Zealand. Curating a soccer-mad space for new and old fans of the World Game, BonBon welcomed Australia’s Matildas to Brisbane in time to debut BonBon’s popular VR experience. Matildas team members stopped by to test their skills, setting the pace for the activation which saw high engagement and repeat visitation from travellers. A pop-up football pitch ensured little travellers were kept busy between international flights in the bespoke playground that included custom BNE soccer balls and a take-home activity book. Matches were shown on a big screen so no one missed a moment of the action while in transit and roving entertainment provided Instagrammable photo opportunities across each terminal.

FROM CONCEPT TO CREATION

Activity curation

BonBon considers the best way to organically and consistently entertain families, taking into account project size, timing, materials and varying age groups.

Retailer engagement

Looking beyond the activation space, activities are planned to encourage passengers to visit and engage with retailers across the terminal through scavenger hunts, vouchers and giveaways.

Welcome distractions

From seasonal movie viewings in comfortable lounges to roving entertainment and activity booklets, BonBon ensures there is no time to get bored while waiting to board!

Growing visitation

Unique activities ensure dwell time increases in major food and beverage and retail precincts.

Brand awareness

BonBon implements strategic photo opportunities and practical take-home merchandise items to increase brand awareness of Brisbane Airport Corporation and its associated brands.

HITTING THE SWEET SPOT

A welcome space. BonBon creates a theme to maintain a consistent look and feel, activity offering and messaging and ensures the space is inviting to all ages.

Make it simple! BonBon keeps kids engaged with one activity at a time such as an on-theme colour-in cookie that can be eaten afterwards.

Be the client’s best asset. For more than 12 months, BonBon has had eyes and ears on the ground, gathering valuable insight to share with the BAC team including capturing information about the flow and impact of passenger foot traffic in certain areas to developing sharp operational processes that align with airport protocols.

WORDS FROM FRIENDS

Brisbane Airport Corporation have worked with the BonBon team for over 12 months, across various projects in the retail marketing space. The team have assisted us to deliver a series of high-quality and engaging school holiday activations across the Domestic Terminal, International Terminal and Skygate. Not only have these activations received incredible feedback from our passengers and customers, but they have also achieved some amazing results which exceeded our expectations!

BonBon were also part of the wider Aruga team who developed, planned and delivered the Brisbane’s Best Bites campaign for the Domestic Terminal, which aimed to challenge the perception of airport dining. Not only did this campaign hit the brief and achieve amazing sales results for our tenants, it also won global recognition at the 2024 Food and Beverage (FAB) Awards, and national recognition with the AAA Excellence in Commercial Award.

Lauren Graham

BAC Head of Commercial Marketing

This is amazing! This should be at every airport.

Guest feedback

Parent at The Easter Picnic in Domestic Terminal

I wish we had this here all the time. We travel a lot with the kids. We will be back for another visit next weekend and will be coming straight to Camp BNE!

Guest feedback

Parent at Camp BNE in Domestic Terminal

This is so awesome! BNE has done so well.

Guest feedback

Passenger at FIFA WWC activation in Domestic Terminal

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Brisbane Airport takes off with kid-ventures and happy travellers

Transforming the travel experience at Brisbane Airport