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GOVERNOR KAINE ANNOUNCES VIRGINIA IS FOR LOVERS WINS NATIONAL WALK OF FAME AWARD Iconic Slogan Inducted on Madison Avenue Governor Timothy M. Kaine recently celebrated the "Virginia is for Lovers" slogan's induction into the National Advertising Walk of Fame. The honor coincides with the 40th anniversary of Virginia is for Lovers. Launched in 1969, Virginia is for Lovers is America's longest-running state tourism slogan. "We've always felt that Virginia is for Lovers is a pow- erful tourism slogan and this competition proves it," Governor Kaine said. "After 40 years, Virginia is for Lovers continues to represent a beautiful state and a pre- mier travel destination." Virginia is for Lovers will hold a permanent position on Madison Avenue and will be recognized in the Advertising Icon Museum, forever establishing it as a fix- ture in American popular culture. Virginia tourism offi- cials presented the honor to Governor Kaine in September at a celebration at the State Capitol. Virginia is for Lovers was one of nearly 30 slogans nominated for this year's Walk of Fame class. The state faced stiff com- petition from slogans including: I Want My MTV (MTV Networks), I'm Loving It (McDonalds), Just Do It (Nike), What Happens Here, Stays Here (City of Las Vegas) and I Love New York (City of New York). "The fact that people voted Virginia is for Lovers into this 'who's who' of marketing is an honor and a testament to the staying power of great marketing," said Alisa Bailey, president and CEO of the Virginia Tourism Corporation. "At its core, Virginia is for Lovers represents a love of life and a passion for travel and we invite people to visit Virginia and experience that in person." Virginia is for Lovers was honored at a ceremony in New York on September 21. The honor comes on the heels of Forbes.com naming Virginia is for Lovers one of the top 10 tourism marketing campaigns of all time. Tourism is one of Virginia's most powerful industries, gen- erating $19.2 billion in revenue, supporting 210,000 jobs and generating $1.28 billion in state and local taxes in 2008. Visit www.Virginia.org/40 to celebrate Virginia is for Lovers with 40 free trips, 40 percent off travel deals and special label 40th anniversary wine. Or call (8000 VISIT- VA for a free travel guide. For more information about the Madison Avenue Advertising Walk of Fame, visit www.advertisingweek.-com/wof. INTERNATIONAL CIVIL RIGHTS CENTER & MUSEUM ANNOUNCES EXHIBITS & ARTIFACTS On Feb. 1, 2010, our nation will mark the 50th anniver- sary of the sit-in movement with the grand opening of the International Civil Rights Center & Museum in Greensboro, N.C. In advance of its opening, the Museum recetly announced 14 exhibits that will be featured, focus- ing on the international struggle for civil and human rights, as well as a range of artifacts from the civil rights era. With the historic F.W. Woolworth lunch counter as its centerpiece, the Museum's exhibits tell the story of the Greensboro Four, as well as other key human and civil rights struggles and achievements. Other museum exhibits and artifacts include: All Men are Created Equal: This introductory exhibit will help build an understanding for visitors who may hold no memory of the injustice experience by African- Americans. It will help transition visitors from the 21st century to an era when segregation and "Jim Crow" laws permeated and segregated society. A Moment that Changed America: Visitors will experi- ence a filmed reenactment of the discussion between the Greensboro Four on the night of Jan. 31, 1960, when the freshmen quartet decided to take action. I'll Make Me A World: The exhibit highlights the unique accomplishments of African Americans and insti- tutions created to service their communities despite the Black Meetings & Tourism October/November 2009: www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 12 IN THE NEWS