Boise Airport Commission recommends updated terminal advertising policy to City Council

The Boise Airport Commission voted March 4 to recommend an updated airport advertising policy to Boise City Council after a staff presentation outlining several substantive changes.

Shauna Samuelson, who led the presentation, said the update adds an objectives section to balance advertising with public art and wayfinding and codifies commercial content standards in the terminal. "All of our advertising is required to promote a commercial transaction," Samuelson said, adding the update clarifies what content is allowed and what is prohibited.

The policy revisions include a definition of "local" for alcohol advertisers—businesses headquartered within the airport's catchment region—allowing local breweries, wineries and distilleries while excluding large national brands. Samuelson also said the update explicitly adds gambling websites to the list of prohibited content and bars advertisers from brokering or reselling their contracted terminal space to third parties.

The draft further clarifies how the city may use unsold advertising inventory: city messages must promote free services and the requesting department pays for production and installation. Samuelson described new criteria for short-term, city-sponsored terminal activations intended to drive tourism, noting these activations must align with city values, meet design and safety standards and be brief unless otherwise approved.

Commissioners discussed the changes and a substitute motion was made recommending the policy for city council approval; the motion was seconded and the commission voted unanimously to recommend the update. Director Rebecca affirmed the staff work and thanked Samuelson for preparing the revisions.

The commission's recommendation sends the policy package to Boise City Council for final approval; the staff presentation materials were available to commissioners during the meeting.