Learn how Columbia Metropolitan Airport’s (CAE) rebrand has taken flight and get a behind-the-scenes tour of CAE. Kim Crafton, Samantha Kingsmore and Anna Kate Twitty will share the work that went into rebranding CAE from marketing to enhancing the overall airport experience like tunes in the terminal. Crafton is the mastermind behind the rebranding and great marketing which has led to the air service growth at CAE. Following the rebranding presentation, participants will get a behind-the-scenes tour of the CAE airport.
About the Speakers:
Kim J. Crafton – Vice President of Marketing and Air Service Development – Columbia Metropolitan Airport
As the Vice President of Marketing and Air Service Development, Kim Crafton is tasked with establishing, leading and executing the overall strategic marketing and communications direction for the airport, while also working to proactively increase air service to the Columbia, S.C., market. Within her department, she leads a team that implements social media tactics that not only inform the general public of the airport’s offerings and benefits, but also creatively connects with its passengers. CAE’s social media presence boasts having the highest number of followers on Instagram of any SC airport. During her time at CAE, Crafton has aided in increasing air service to the airport with the addition of several new routes and route frequency on all carriers currently operating at CAE.
Prior to joining the team at CAE, Crafton was the Public Relations Manager at Discover South Carolina. During her tenure, Crafton oversaw both domestic and international media relations, managed the award-winning South Carolina Chef Ambassador program and spearheaded numerous events for statewide tourism partners.
A proud Greenville native, Crafton attended the University of South Carolina, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in public relations and a Masters in Mass Communications with a concentration in integrated marketing communications. A former member of the executive board of Public Relations Society of America Travel & Tourism, Crafton is the immediate past president to the Historic Columbia Board of Trustees and the Marketing Chair to the Midlands Business Regional Competitiveness Council. A graduate of Leadership Columbia and Leadership South Carolina, Crafton was also named an “Outstanding Young Alumni” by the University of South Carolina School of Journalism and Mass Communications in 2016 and a Women of Influence by the Columbia Regional Business Report in 2020.
Samantha Kingsmore – Marketing and Brand Manager – Columbia Metropolitan Airport
As the Marketing and Brand Manager of Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE), Samantha Kingsmore is responsible for assisting with and overseeing various marketing programs and projects – which include the highly sought-after Art in the Airport program; creating graphics for advertisements and internal/external marketing materials; the recently-launched Tunes in the Terminal concert series; and producing the nationally recognized, bi-monthly airport newsletter. Additionally, Kingsmore manages the day-to-day strategic planning, implementation and monitoring of the airport’s social media channels. Alongside CAE’s Vice President of Marketing and Air Service Development, she also assists with various community events and partnerships.
Prior to joining the CAE team, Kingsmore was the Editor of COLAtoday – a hyper-local media company/brand that she helped launch and co-ran for three years. While in that role, COLAtoday won the Columbia Chamber’s 2017 “Small Business of the Year” award and was voted Free Times’ Best Of “Best Instagram” for three consecutive years. Prior to COLAtoday, she spent several years working in food and beverage marketing for campus dining at both University of North Carolina-Charlotte and University of South Carolina-Columbia.
A South Carolina native, Kingsmore attended the University of South Carolina, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in journalism and mass communications, with a concentration in visual communications. She is also a 2023 graduate of the premier public speaking program, The Buckley School.
Anna Kate Twitty – Director of Channel Strategy – Flock and Rally
Anna Kate Twitty is the director of channel strategy at Flock and Rally, an integrated marketing agency in Columbia, S.C. — where she leads the public relations department and specializes in marketing strategy, social media and digital media. With a background in nonprofit and travel and tourism sectors, Twitty has crafted strategic communications for numerous large-scale campaigns and events. Since joining Flock and Rally in 2021, she has developed impactful campaigns for clients like the BullStreet District, Columbia Metropolitan Airport, Riverbanks Zoo and Garden, NAI Columbia, Peak Drift Brewing, the South Carolina State Fair and the South Carolina State Museum, earning the agency several industry awards along the way.
Since beginning her career in 2007, Twitty has served in a variety of marketing and communications roles, including integrated marketing manager at Infinity Marketing, director of marketing and communications at Historic Columbia, and public relations manager at the South Carolina State Museum. Additionally, she has worked as an account manager at Cyberwoven and regional communications director at the American Red Cross. A graduate of the University of South Carolina with a degree in journalism and mass communications, she also holds a master’s degree in public administration from the College of Charleston.
Outside of work, Twitty is actively involved in civic and philanthropic efforts, contributing to organizations such as A.C. Moore Elementary School, Shandon Weekday School, Historic Columbia and the University of South Carolina’s School of Journalism and Mass Communications. In 2024, Twitty was honored as a South Carolina Women in Business by Columbia Business Monthly and was named 40 Under 40 by the Columbia Regional Business Report.
When:
Tuesday, Sept. 17 | 11:45-2 p.m.
Where:
Columbia Metropolitan Airport
Carolina Room (located downstairs, just up a short walking ramp from baggage claim)
3250 Airport Blvd.
West Columbia, SC 29170
Parking: Please park in the Surface Lot and the airport will provide validation after the meeting.
Tour Restrictions:
- Everyone who would like to attend the tour will need a photo ID with them.
- Closed-toed shoes are required for those touring the facility.
- No bags will be allowed while touring the facility.