Triad Business Journal Reporter Luke Bollinger, Jan 12, 2018, 6:48am The Piedmont Triad International Airport announced in December that it had voted to begin the process of picking a new name, and, according to a Thursday statement from the airport, public suggestions on a name are now being considered. Initially, PTI planned to change its name to Central North Carolina International Airport by Jan.1. After the announcement, a Change.org petition opposing the planned renaming received 5,700 signatures. "The Airport Authority is pleased to see the public's passion for the airport in response to the Authority's vote on December 19th to change the name," the statement said. The airport expects the process to take several months and has hired a branding firm, but public input will be considered throughout the rebranding process. "Geographical branding is critical to the economic development part of the airport's mission," the airport said. "We have learned that even after 30 years of marketing, the Piedmont Triad brand is not well recognized outside this region. The airport needs a brand that capitalizes upon North Carolina's positive image and the airport's central location."