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The Clark County Board of Commissioners officially declared Tuesday, May 7 as YESCO
Welcome Sign Day in honor of the renowned, 104-year-old sign company and its significant
contributions in Southern Nevada. YESCO Las Vegas vice president Mitch Olorenshaw
received the proclamation from Commissioner Michael Naft on behalf of YESCO during a
special ceremony.

The proclamation recognizes YESCO's 65 years of dedicated maintenance and ownership of
the iconic “Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas” sign as well as its partnership with the Wedding
Capital of the World™ for its “Your Sign of LoVe” photo contest this May. Honoring the
millions of couples who have chosen Las Vegas for their matrimonial bliss, this contest
invites participants to share photos taken in front of the world-famous landmark for a chance
to win a customized miniature replica of the Welcome sign, generously created by YESCO.

YESCO announced it has completely restored the vintage Rancho Super Car Wash pink elephant sign in Rancho Mirage, California. Retained by Preservation Mirage, which celebrates and protects the architectural history of the city, YESCO refurbished the sign’s neon tubing and worked with their vendor, Graffiti Inc., to provide the landmark with fresh paint

In 2023, to coincide with the 50th anniversary of Rancho Mirage, the Rancho Super Car Wash sign was also designated as a historical landmark by the Rancho Mirage City Council, ensuring it will remain a permanent fixture on Highway 111 for generations to come.

FUN FACTS:

• The Rancho Super Car Wash sign was awarded historic designation on Sept. 7, 2023.
• The pink elephant sign was originally designed by Beatrice “Bea” Haverfield in Seattle for the Anderson family, who owned and operated five pink elephant car washes across Washington and Oregon.
• In 1966 Richard Fromme and his wife Marilyn, the daughter of Eldon Anderson, opened the Rancho Super Car Wash in Rancho Mirage, California.
• The pink elephant neon sign standing on Highway 111 today was built by Tube Arts Display in Seattle for a car wash in Portland.
• In 1966 the Frommes moved to Rancho Mirage. The sign was packed into their moving truck with the elephant’s head sticking out the top for the duration of their journey. It was rebuilt and installed at its current location by Chief Sign Crafts.
• The restoration project took YESCO two weeks to complete.

“Reminiscent of America’s mid-century design and style, the Rancho Super Car Wash neon sign is the most iconic symbol of Rancho Mirage,” said Jeff Young, executive vice president, YESCO. “YESCO is proud to breathe new life into this historical landmark, so it can be enjoyed for decades to come.”

Utah company builds, maintains iconic Vegas landmarks including Allegiant Stadium

SALT LAKE CITY (KUTV) — A company rich with Utah roots is responsible for some of the most popular and recognizable signs and displays in Las Vegas.

“My grandfather started selling signs in Vegas, before Vegas was Vegas,” said Jeff Young, Executive Vice President for Young Electric Sign Company. “He started selling signs in the 20’s and 30’s and then after the war particularly in the late 40’s and 50’s Vegas just exploded.”

YESCO first illuminated in Ogden, Utah in the 1920’s.

With a factory in Salt Lake City and others around the country, including Las Vegas, YESCO is seemingly everywhere around you.

“We integrated the exterior screen on the sphere,” said Young. “Allegiant Stadium of course with the Super Bowl is a massive project for us, it’s been done for a couple of years. We put nearly 4,000 signs in and outside the Allegiant Stadium.”

*Note that YESCO was one of many skilled contractors and companies who worked on the Sphere. YESCO's primary role in the project was to integrate SACO LED's technology on the exterior of the structure."

The Allegiant project helped YESCO stay afloat during the pandemic. The project provided some much-needed work during a time of uncertainty.

“My first journey into Allegiant you know after it was done someone said you know 4,000 signs how could it be? We got at the top of the escalator and well we did a 360 and we counted nearly 50 signs,” said Young. “The Allegiant spans 564 feet, that’s 188 yards long. It doesn’t look like that from a distance, but they are massive, massive signs.”

YESCO is also responsible for part of the recent signage revamp of the Delta Center.

“You take signs for granted in some respect but every single one has to be meticulously designed and installed in a perfect way,” said Young.

Vegas is home to some of the most photographed signs in the world, including the iconic ‘Welcome to Las Vegas’ sign.

YESCO maintains the sign along with hundreds of others in and around the Vegas strip.

“We have our eyes on every sign in Las Vegas at least once a week, in some cases in constant where we have cameras installed on some of our large digital displays some of which are massive,” said Young.

YESCO is virtually everywhere. From Maverik gas stations to local restaurants and billboards, there’s a chance the sign you’re looking at was made from a company deeply rooted in Utah history.

Read the full article written by by Brian Schnee on kutv.com

We invite you to visit "Neon" a documentary available on Amazon Prime Video that explores the history of neon as well as its influence on American culture. YESCO, along with several prominent YESCO-designed signs, are featured in the documentary. The company has strong roots in creativity, artistry, and innovation which continues to inspire the work we do.

https://www.amazon.com/Neon-David-Ablon/dp/B01FV44DBQ

Beginning in 1932, YESCO began its journey as a premier designer, fabricator, and installer of neon signs in Las Vegas. YESCO's founder, Thomas Young, was one who dreamed of lighting up Las Vegas. Since that time, YESCO has created some of the most vibrant and recognizable neon signs ever built. As the documentary describes these signs, and others like them, have shaped the history of Las Vegas, contributing to the establishment of classic neon signs as a "cultural icon." 

LAS VEGAS, Nev. (FOX5) - Much like last year when Vegas Vic, a pillar of Fremont Street for seven decades, needed a good repair, his look-alike in West Wendover just got a major facelift.

Vic’s neon family is bigger than you might think.

“His spouse Vegas Vicky is in Circa,” Jeff Young, Executive Vice President of YESCO Custom Electric Signs, explained. “But many people don’t know that Vegas Vic has a first cousin up in northern Nevada in West Wendover.”

Wendover Will is 72 years old, making him one year younger than Vic, although he is about 25 feet taller. Like Vic, he was built by YESCO, and has also recently been in need of repairs.

“The city of West Wendover asked us if we would consider a massive upgrade,” Young recalled. “So, we could almost consider calling him Makeover Will...complete repaint, all new lighting system.”

That new lighting system is LED, which replaces the more traditional neon. Young explains this makes Will more cost-effective and easier to maintain, but it likely won’t be in Vic’s future.

“I don’t envision Vegas Vic would ever convert over to LED,” he said confidently.

Sticking with neon for Vic means more constant work being done on the Fremont icon.

“We were out twice in November with Vic and again in December,” Young said. “We were out just a couple weeks ago fixing more.”

Vic’s upkeep is included in the nationwide effort by YESCO to find signs in need of repair.

“In terms of active, ongoing orders, they number in the thousands and thousands and thousands,” Young said.

But these two cousins literally stand above the rest.

“Not only to have created them, but to be the caretakers of them,” Young said about the two giant cowboys. “And that’s really an honor for us.”

Wendover Will’s makeover cost the city of West Wendover about $175,000.

Read the full article written by Mike Allen on fox5vegas.com

YESCO was recently featured on German Television show "Galileo X-Plorer" hosted by Claire Oelkers. The show follows YESCO journeyman Michael Laudenslager as he gives Claire a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to keep the lights on in Las Vegas. 

The show featured Michael rappelling from the Harmon Retail Center LED digital screen to repair damaged LED cards, learning how to bend a glass "M" with Oscar Gonzalez, and working with Kenny West to install that same "M" at the Fabulous Welcome to Las Vegas Sign. 

The full show aired live in Germany, but you can see a clip of it on YouTube (turn on subtitles for English translation). 

https://www.youtube.com/clip/UgkxyY_tBSZfS1FBlgLPN_QQQLDDDxqBsv-9

YESCO was awarded “Best Monument Sign” and “Designer’s Choice” for its Derby District Gateway sign at
this year’s annual Colorado Sign Association (CSA) sign design contest.

Fabricated at YESCO’s Las Vegas facility, the Derby District Gateway sign is completely solar powered. With a complex light topper and colorful display, the distinctive sign welcomes visitors to the Derby District of Commerce City, Colorado. Melding the timeless elegance of mid-century modern aesthetics with the inviting charm of futurist Googie styling, the sign captures attention and fosters a sense of connection among the city’s vibrant residents.

This year’s sign design contest included more than 75 entries in design categories ranging from “Best Pylon Sign” to “Best Wall Sign,” “Best Unique Sign” and “Best Monument Sign.” The winners were chosen by judges from the Arizona Sign Association.

FUN FACTS:
● The sign features trimless letters on illuminated cabinets of textured translucent
acrylic panels.
● The cutting-edge solar power system, which is neatly hidden behind the sign,
supplies energy for an astonishing three consecutive days, even in the face of
complete cloud cover.
● The structure is 14-feet wide by 13-feet high.
“The Derby District Gateway sign marks a satisfying milestone for YESCO as we continue to create award-winning signage ,” said Jeff Young, executive vice president, YESCO. “Our design team is so proud to be given such prestigious awards in this year’s contest.”

Click Here For Downloadable, High-Res Photos

YESCO announces it has completely refurbished the iconic “Wendover Will” neon cowboy sign with LED technology.

Retained by the City of West Wendover – which is located on Nevada’s eastern border – YESCO was tasked with replacing 1,184 feet of neon tubing with Allanson flex and RGB flex LED lighting to mimic the sign’s original look and feel. The new LED lighting also requires less maintenance and is more energy efficient than the neon tubing.

The 71-year-old landmark was also refreshed with a bright new coat of paint to match the original color scheme. Additionally, YESCO removed the existing letters at the base of the sign and installed new letters with the inclusion of the illuminated “Downtown” pan channel letters.

FUN FACTS:

• At 63 feet tall, “Wendover Will” was named the “world’s tallest mechanical cowboy” by the Guinness Book of World Records.
• Will is among many of the famous signs YESCO built in Nevada.
• In 1952, YESCO commissioned designer Pat Denner to create “Wendover Will” for the Stateline Casino, just after he completed Las Vegas’ iconic “Vegas Vic” sign located on Downtown Las Vegas’ Fremont Street.
• There are more than 1,184 feet of LED lighting on the sign.
• It is named after the City of West Wendover and William Smith, who founded the Stateline Casino.

“From building the original ‘Wendover Will’ in 1952 to refurbishing it in 2023, YESCO is profoundly grateful to be tasked with the care and improvement of this legendary sign,” said Jeff Young, executive vice president, YESCO.

Fabricating and installing new signage at Weber State University

YESCO, the 103-year-old Salt Lake City, Utah-based company that’s known for creating, repairing, and maintaining internationally recognizable signs, recently completed the fabrication and installation of four new gateway pylon signs and thirty-three light pillars on the main campus of Weber State University in Ogden, Utah. 

This particular project was part of campus master plan improvements intended to not only improve the university’s on-premise signage but also ensure that those in the surrounding community traveling down the street would have no problems finding the university and its entrances.

The fifty-five-foot-tall pylon signs bookend the north and south entrances to the Weber State University campus along Harrison Boulevard. Meanwhile the light pillars line Harrison Boulevard between the two entrances.

All told, this academic project totaled more than 4,000 man-hours for YESCO, took place over a 28-week-long period, and included the addition of 3,800 white LEDs.

Made from aluminum and steel, each of the “shark fin” pylons were cut to its final angular shape using a CNC machine.

They feature white LED light with purple vinyl overlay that borders a giant Gothicstyle “W” inside a purple shield (the traditional Weber State University logo).

YESCO utilized their CNC router to cut the “W” shape out of the face of the sign (which was itself constructed out of a flexible material).

They then welded the “W”-logo return directly to the obelisk pylon sign.

The pylons are attached to rock bases that were also created by YESCO. The company built a custom-made metal frame then applied plywood to it. They then attached the rock pieces to the plywood. A center pole goes all the way through the pylon sign, and YESCO welded these sections to the pole.

Additional white LED light components border the top of each pylon, encased in vinyl to make it appear purple at night.

The light pillars illuminate the walkways along the Weber State University frontage. They have a white LED section that lights up purple at night as well.

A separate white LED section illuminates the WSU letters.

The fabrication and installation of the pylon signs and pillars followed the original design that was produced by VCBO, an architectural firm based in Salt Lake City and St. George, Utah.

“This project will welcome students, families, and visitors to Weber State University with subtle-yet-beautiful signage depicting school colors and the inimitable school font,” said Matt Wren, senior account executive at YESCO. “In doing so, we have provided another client with an opportunity to enhance the visibility of their brand with distinctive visual flair.”

Read the full article written by SBI Staff in Sign Builder Illustrated

Uncle Sharkii, a growing Poke Bar concept with locations in Hawaii, California, Texas, and Utah engaged YESCO account executive Tony Shreve to provide signage for its new location at Universal Studios CityWalk. 

In addition to YESCO’s design, fabrication and installation services, the customer was thrilled with our in-house finance option delivered by YESCO Financial Solutions.

The customer had some specific concerns and challenges that couldn’t be resolved through typical bank programs. After several conversations with Tony Hull, President of YESCO Financial Solutions, the customer and YESCO were able to reach a win-win solution enabling the project to move forward in time for their upcoming opening in early 2024.

No other sign company can offer in-house sales, design, engineering, production, installation, service, AND financing solutions.