A local airport was about to observe an anniversary, and what a great time to commemorate a special event. Obtain a list of tenants, vendors and neighboring businesses from the airport manager and call on them.
Naturally the first step was to get a few large-space advertisers. Call the airport, the full-service operator (an airport term) and explain the program to them. The airport service operator sells fuel, rents/sells airplanes, rents autos and even makes hotel accommodations and just about everything someone flying into the airport might need.
Send a photographer, and working with some photos, artwork for airline logo, fuel company etc and create some full color ads.
The airport might even present the ads to the airline or fuel company for participation in the ad campaign.
Find a way to show that participating would be beneficial to the vendor, and in many cases, funds can be obtained.