Governor unveils first of 105 new signs welcoming visitors to Virginia

Governor Terry McAuliffe unveiled a new “Welcome to Virginia” sign at Dulles International Airport (IAD) the morning of Jan. 6, welcoming travelers to the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Dulles, located 26 miles west of downtown Washington, D.C. in Loudoun and Fairfax Counties, is a major hub for domestic and international travel, servicing about 22 million travelers a year traveling to 83 nonstop domestic and 50 nonstop international destinations. 

The new signage is the first of its kind at IAD.

Speaking at the unveiling, the governor was quoted as saying, “In order to build a new Virginia economy, we need to continue to not only increase tourism, but attract new businesses and bring the Virginia story to new audiences.  This new signage will welcome millions of travelers every year to our great Commonwealth, and it will serve as a reminder that wherever their travel through Dulles is taking them, they are always welcome to explore Virginia and its abundant business opportunities and travel destinations.”

“Virginia is for Lovers is one of the most powerful advertising slogans in our country’s history,” according to Secretary of Commerce and Trade Maurice Jones.  A news release from the governor’s office quoted Jones as saying, “Having the Virginia brand here at a major international airport will connect travelers with the promise that Virginia offers a place to work, play and visit loved ones.  Driving home our travel message at every gateway to the Commonwealth is imperative to increasing visitation and spending in Virginia.”

Jack Potter, president and CEO of the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, which runs the airport, said Dulles Airport is a hit with travelers because of speedier trip through customs with new self-service kiosks,  updated shopping and dining options, and better connectivity than ever to Metrorail with the Silver Line Express bus. 

Governor McAuliffe also announced that the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) plans to gradually roll out a series of newly designed “Welcome to Virginia” signs at all 105 interstate gateways to the Commonwealth.

The last design of the sign, depicting a large cardinal perched on a flowering dogwood, was rolled out in 2006, and many of these signs have reached the end of their usable lives due to visibility at night. The welcome signs should all be updated by the July 4th holiday, according to the governor’s office.

Aubrey Layne, Secretary of Transportation, said “VDOT worked in record time” to replace the interstate signage.

The design of the signs at Dulles International Airport and interstate gateways are consistent with Virginia Tourism Corporation’s (VTC) “Virginia is for Lovers” branding and logo.VTC provided the design of the signs; VDOT is facilitating production and installation.

The iconic “Virginia is for Lovers” slogan will be 46 in 2015. The slogan was inducted into the Madison Avenue Advertising Walk of Fame in 2009, and was recognized by Forbes magazine as one of the top ten advertising campaigns of all time, according to the governor’s office.

The office also noted that visitors spent $21.5 billion, which supported 213,000 jobs and contributed $1.42 billion in local and state taxes in 2014.  To learn more about visiting Virginia, go to http://www.virginia.org