Century Signs recently completed a collection of retail and concession signs for Nashville International Airport’s new Satellite Concourse. Photos courtesy Century Signs
By Carly McHugh
Over the past few years, Nashville, Tenn., has quickly become a go-to vacation destination for people of all ages and lifestyles. As soon as they step off the plane, travellers are treated to a uniquely welcoming experience, complete with live music and unmatched southern hospitality.
In fact, the city’s rise in popularity has inspired the award-winning Nashville International Airport to undergo a variety of renovations to further enhance the passenger experience. One of its more recent additions is the free-standing, eight-gate Satellite Concourse. Designed to cater to those travelling with Allegiant Air and Spirit Airlines, it features several retail and concession options which are known favourites throughout the city.
To help draw passengers towards these establishments, North American travel retail and hospitality company Paradies Lagardere sought the help of a sign company with expertise in a variety of captivating styles. After a swift proposal process, augmented by a referral from a longtime client, Century Signs of Vancouver was contracted as an exclusive partner on the project. The shop’s existing portfolio also proved to be beneficial, as it closely matched the client’s desired finished product.
Preparing for takeoff
The goal of the project was to create branding elements which showcased the shopping and dining locations, as well as complemented the cutting-edge style of the new terminal. The comprehensive sign package encompassed seven storefronts, including Distillery District Market, Nashville Supply Co., Gulch Goods, Jimmy John’s, TX/MX, Fat Bottom Brewing, and Bongo Java Roasting.
Spanning almost seven months, the project was divided into three distinct phases. The first phase, which comprised pre-production, extended over the course of four months. During this period, Century Signs underwent project briefings, finalized pricing, and produced samples to ensure consistent branding across the various types of signage.
The second phase involved the survey and production portion of the project. While the concourse hall was still under construction, the installation team conducted a site survey to finalize the scope and measurements of all of the available spaces. Once these factors were confirmed, Century Signs fabricated, printed, painted, and assembled more than 90 signs and graphics. The items were then safely packed in a custom-built crate and shipped to the airport.
The final phase was the installation of all of the signage. Due to the ongoing construction on the terminal, the team needed to complete this phase in three trips. During the first trip, they installed the signage for Distillery District Market, Bongo Java, Gulch Goods, Nashville Supply Co., and TX/MX. The second trip involved the installation of the Jimmy John’s signage, as well as final measurements for Fat Bottom Brewing, which was previously under construction. Finally, on the last trip, the team finished off the project by installing the largest signage package at Fat Bottom Brewing.
