Welcome to [Insert Preferred Slogan] West Virginia
Written by Jason Keeling on September 5, 2007
Today Gov. Joe Manchin announced his office will accept suggestions from West Virginia residents regarding state welcome signs. You can submit ideas online or call 1-866-SLOGAN-4 through Sept. 19.
The Manchin administration began promoting an “Open for Business” mantra in 2005 and state signs were modified with the theme early last year. Though he is popular throughout the state, this decision drew the ire of several constituents, many of who expressed strong support for the previously used “Wild, Wonderful” slogan.
The “Wild, Wonderful” interstate signs appeared from 1975 to 1991. Thereafter a general “Welcome to West Virginia” slogan (see above photo) was used for 15 years until the 2006 sign changes. However, the “Wild, Wonderful” message has been branded nationally by the state Division of Tourism for over 10 years.
State identity will be explored further on this site, but for now readers are encouraged to submit slogan ideas to the governor’s office AND submit your thoughts via comment here at aBetterWestVirginia.
Posted in Business, Culture, Government, Tourism, West Virginia
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September 6th, 2007 at 10:11 am
An Opportunity to Define Who We Are as a State
Finally! Ok, so no one was buying “open for business” and, well, it had no character. At all. I’m not knocking Manchin for trying. So it was never the popular thing to change the slogan and maybe the choice was ill-advised, but at least it was proactive, right? West Virginian’s have a lot of pride in the state and it became more evident when the slogan changed. Anytime i was in a car crossing the state border, a comment was always made about missing the old “Wild, Wonderful”. We’ll always be wild and wonderful, but maybe this is our chance to be more. I applaud giving the people a say. It’s only right. Let’s take this opportunity to define who we are as a state and what we strive to be. It’s time for a renaissance West Virginia!
September 6th, 2007 at 3:29 pm
Signs Should Reflect Beauty and Opportunity
The “open for business” sign is out of character for West Virginia. Not that we don’t want business, but advertising such on our welcome signs is really unwelcoming to visitors, most of who are not coming to build a business. Instead, they venture here to see our beautiful country, our history, and our way of life.
I guess we could call West Virginia the “Ohhh….Awww” state. Stand at Hawks Nest, look over at the beautiful river so massive, yet peaceful and you will find a feeling of awe. There are many equally impressive landscapes across the state. I sometimes imagine myself as a pioneer looking upon them for the first time, how wonderful it must have been. I believe we need a sign that reflects both the beauty and opportunity within our state.