SJC Airport Gets in “Formation” as Beyoncé’s BeyHive Lands in San José

Travelers can have free professional photos taken in front of “XO” Sculpture in honor of hit song

SAN JOSE, CALIF.  – San José Mineta International Airport (SJC) is harnessing the energy of Silicon Valley to welcome Beyoncé’s “BeyHive” – as her fans are known – to have free professional photos taken in front of its “XO” public art sculpture.  The event will take place on the Airport’s Terminal B curbside beginning at 7:00 PM on August 29th, in collaboration with the City’s Office of Economic Development and Cultural Affairs (OEDCA) and the City’s tourism bureau, Visit San José.

“XO” is one of the singer’s hit song titles, and is the name of the City’s most recent art installation at the Airport, originally created by Bay Area artists Laura Kimpton and Jeff Schomberg for the Burning Man Festival, and dedicated at SJC earlier this year.

SJC Director of Aviation, John Aitken said, “We’re pleased to join in the excitement of welcoming one of the most celebrated performers of our time to Silicon Valley, and to partner with the City’s Office of Economic Development and Cultural Affairs as well as Visit San José in sharing this memorable experience with travelers. Our focus on providing an outstanding travel experience for our passengers takes many forms from the curb to the gate, and this is a great example of how we work with our partners to create fun memories while flying through SJC.”

“We are thrilled to welcome BeyHive music and art lovers to the region. Consider this special event the City of San José’s hug and kiss to them as they arrive to our great city through SJC. We hope they enjoy San José’s fantastic public art, like XO, and all of San José’s cultural life,” says Director of Cultural Affairs Kerry Adams Hapner.  

“San José is a world-class destination for arts, culture and music,” says John LaFortune, Visit San Jose President and CEO. “Concert tourism is a great boost to our local economy and gives travelers the opportunity to explore San Jose as their hotel homebase for the tour. We encourage all visitors traveling through SJC to show their San José Love with a photo at the iconic ‘XO’ sculpture as just one of the souvenirs from their memorable trip.”

The Airport says that “XO” has become “the perfect selfie spot,” with travelers and their loved ones often seen exchanging hugs and kisses on the curbside nearby. The structure is comprised of two eye-catching 12-foot-tall aluminum letters, perforated with bird cutouts symbolizing flight, and is illuminated with color at night. The Airport says that it will be lit with blue lighting in honor of Beyoncé’s daughter, Blue Ivy, who has generated her own fan base on the singer’s tour as a dancer.

The commemorative color photos will be taken on a first-come-first-served basis by professional photographer, Dave Lepori, and will be available on the spot along with other fun giveaways from 7:00 – 8:30 pm, or while supplies last.  

SJC is just 5 miles from the concert venue, Levi’s Stadium, and says that the effort speaks to its creative approach to providing outstanding customer experience for travelers. The Airport was named this year by Airports Council International – North America (ACI-NA) as the best midsized airport for customer experience, was recognized by the Wall Street Journal as one of the nation’s Top 3 midsized airports, and was listed as the nation’s #2 Least Stressful Airport in a study by MarketWatch.