The Virginia Tourism Corporation has chosen the City of Emporia as one of 16 sites across the state to build and promote a giant LOVEwork. The LOVEwork structures are the focal point of a social media campaign to share the message that love is at the heart of every Virginia vacation. City of Emporia will join 20 other existing LOVEwork sculptures found across the state featured on www.virginia.org/LOVE as part of the Virginia is for Lovers tourism marketing campaign.
Visitors to Emporia will be encouraged to take a picture with the LOVEwork and share on social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Photos taken by people from throughout the world can be seen on www.Facebook.com/VirginiaisforLovers and on Twitter by searching #LOVEVA.
"Virginia is for Lovers is about love- pure and simple, and has been for more than 40 years," said Rita McClenny, president and CEO of the Virginia Tourism Corporation. "This program uses the power of social media to promote Virginia as an ideal destination for families looking to completely connect on a Virginia vacation."
The Honorable Mayor Mary Person states that, "This social media marketing campaign is a great way to showcase our local tourism efforts in Emporia by generating excitement for visitors to visit our historic downtowns. The City of Emporia thanks the Virginia Tourism Corporation, David Bland, and David Temple for their beautiful art, and we look forward to locals and visitors sharing the peanut image that is so descriptive of Emporia."
The City of Emporia hopes to use this LOVEwork for its local tourism efforts as well as statewide. Tourism is an instant revenue generator for Virginia. In 2011, tourism generated $20.4 billion in revenue, supported over 207,000 jobs, and provided $1.3 billion in state and local taxes.