Q. What is a Specific Service Sign?
A. A Specific Service Sign is a blue sign structure, either a mainline sign or a ramp sign, that displays customer business logo panels. The purpose is to provide identification and directional information day and night for businesses providing gas, food, lodging and camping.
Q. What is a Specific Service Attraction Sign?
A. A Specific Service Attraction Sign is a blue sign structure, either a mainline sign or a ramp sign, that displays customer business logo panels. The purpose is to provide identification and directional information day and night for tourist attractions including: amusement parks, business district/main street, education center, golf course, historical site, museum, religious site, resort/ski area/marina, U-pick/orchard/farmers' market, winery, or botanical/zoological facility.
Q. Specific Service and Specific Service Attraction Signs look state authorized. Are they?
A. Yes. The two sign programs were designed by the Federal Highway Administration and established by the Indiana Department of Transportation, in cooperation with the Indiana Department of Commerce, to provide motorists with directional information for tourist related businesses, services and activities. Indiana Logo Sign Group is a contractor chosen by INDOT to administer the logo sign program.
Q. What is a Mainline Specific Service Sign, a Ramp Specific Service Sign and a Trailblazing Specific Service Sign, and where are they placed?
A. A Mainline Specific Service Sign is located on the right-of-way of Indiana interstate highways and other freeways preceding intersecting roadways along which participating businesses and attractions are located. A Ramp Specific Service Sign is located near the end of the exit ramp to indicate direction and mileage of participating businesses or attractions. A Ramp Specific Service Sign is required by participants if the business/attraction is not visible from the ramp. For those businesses/attractions that are visible from the ramp, the purchase of the Ramp Specific Service Sign is optional. If additional directional signing is required for camping and attraction businesses, Trailblazing Specific Service Signs shall be installed on intersecting roads as needed. Please see Typical Location map.
Q. Who may participate?
A. Specific Service Signs are available to all Indiana gas, food, lodging or camping businesses, provided they meet the Specific Service Sign Criteria as outlined by the State. Specific Service Attraction Signs are available to all Indiana tourist attractions, provided they meet the Specific Service Attraction Sign Criteria as outlined by the State.
Q. What is the participation fee?
A.Specific Service Signs' monthly fee is $124.00 per Mainline Sign and $20.00 per Ramp Sign, and $20.00 per Trailblazing Sign for camping businesses. Specific Service Attraction Signs' monthly fee is $62.00 per Mainline Sign, $10.00 per Ramp Sign, and $10.00 per Trailblazing Sign.
Q. Who supplies my Specific Service Sign and Specific Service Attraction Sign logo panel(s)?
A. You do. You may purchase them from us or another approved supplier for a one-time cost. Your logo panel(s) remain your property. Please contact us for more information and sign specifications.
Q. Are Specific Service Sign and Specific Service Attraction Sign logo panels effective?
A.Extremely. Specific Service Sign programs have been in existence for over 30 years and traveler-related services rely heavily on them to direct customers to their businesses. Located directly on highway right-of-ways, participating businesses experience high exposure and visibility. Many will attest to sharp increases of customer visits, some as high as 25% or more, after placement of their logo panel.
Statements from the Indiana Department of Commerce, press release dated March 27, 2002:
"Several states participated in pilot programs for attraction signage. According to a 1996 Kentucky Transportation Cabinet Study in which more than 3,500 motorists were surveyed, 63 percent responded that 'attraction signs assisted them in locating a specific attraction,' and 29 percent said that 'attraction signs influenced their decision to stop at the attraction.'
Similarly, a 1998 Oregon Travel Information Council Study found that participating attractions that were surveyed said there was a 106 percent average increase in visitors brought in by highway signs. One attraction in Oregon was quoted in the report as saying, 'This has been the single most effective thing we have done to increase business and to ease the finding of our attraction.'"
Donna O. Fincher, Accor North America, dba Motel 6:
"'Accor North America utilizes numerous Mainline, Ramp(s) and Trailblazer Signs with Indiana Logo Sign Group. The purpose of these signs is to relay to commuters exit information to our nearest properties. Accor North America's main objective is to maintain brand image, increase awareness, increase sales and to complement other media. DOT signs in the Eastern U.S. help us to achieve all of these goals. My experience with Indiana Logo Sign Group has been a positive and productive one."
Ken Kilberger, P.F.C. Classic Dining Restaurant Group, independent operator of 22 Dennyıs restaurants in Indiana:
"Economically, it just makes sense. The program is incredible for business--they direct the traveler and potential customer right to our location."
Krissy Brine, Pilot Travel Centers, LLC:
"When we open a new location, the manager always makes sure to get on the logo program with as many signs as possible. They know it increases sales. Indiana Logo Sign Group is always on top of informing us if any new space is available, and we appreciate the prompt and efficient attention from the staff."
Tim Dora, Dora Brothers Hospitality Group:
"The highway logo signs are a necessity for all of our properties. They are affordable, highly visible and direct new business to us. Logo signs help our properties stay first in our customerıs mind, plus, stay a step ahead of the competition in a very effective and efficientmanner."
