Business, Education Leaders Launch “Make Your Connection” Campaign

Prominent Companies and Personalities Encourage Air Travel

The Triangle Takeoff Coalition, an alliance of high-profile companies and universities in the Research Triangle region, launched a campaign Tuesday to support the growing return to air travel. “Make Your Connection” builds on the success of the award-winning 2021 “Carry On” campaign by encouraging residents and businesses to return to the skies and connect with the people and places that matter most. The 23 organizations who make up the Coalition understand the value of Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) to our regional economy and quality of life. 

“The Triangle Takeoff Coalition is proud to welcome new and returning businesses and universities who are invested in RDU’s success,” said Michael Landguth, president and CEO of the Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority. “With their support, the ‘Make Your Connection’ campaign will stoke excitement about visiting family and friends, taking vacations and doing business around the world.” 

The “Make Your Connection” ads feature Duke University men’s basketball coach Jon Scheyer, acclaimed local chef Katsuji Tanabe, Durham Bulls mascot Wool E. Bull and more. The primary goal of the campaign is to support RDU in securing more nonstop destinations, giving the region a competitive advantage in economic development and maintaining the Triangle’s status as a Top Place to Live and Work. Last year’s campaign urged travelers to “Carry On” at home and in the air as the post-pandemic recovery got underway. The number of regional, national and global businesses who participated in and funded the Coalition grew in 2022 as RDU restored and recruited the nonstop destinations that connect Triangle travelers with the places they want to visit and do business.  

RDU’s easy access to nonstop domestic and international destinations is cited as a key recruiting tool for companies that want to expand or relocate to the area. Advertisements will run online, in print and on radio and television throughout the six-month campaign. 

You can watch the “Make Your Connection” video ads on the coalition’s YouTube page and find the campaign on social media using @TriangleTakeoff on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube. Examples of ads that will run on social and digital media are attached. For more information, visit TriangleTakeoff.com

Members of the Triangle Takeoff Coalition include Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority, Capitol Broadcasting Company, RTI International, Novo Nordisk, Lenovo, Eckel & Vaughan, FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies, United Therapeutics, Wolfspeed, Merz Aesthetics, bioMérieux, Duke Energy, Kane Realty, Duke University, Stewart, Balfour Beatty Construction, Pappas Capital, Smith Anderson, Research Triangle Foundation, UNC-Chapel Hill, WK Dickson, DWL Architects and PNC Arena/Carolina Hurricanes.