Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
WordNet
n. a wheeled vehicle carrying information and gifts from local merchants for new residents in an area
Wikipedia
Welcome Wagon is a business in the United States that contacts new homeowners after relocation, providing them with coupons and advertisements from local businesses. The company's full name is Welcome Wagon International, Inc.
The company was founded in 1928, by Thomas Briggs in Memphis, Tennessee. Briggs later established the Thomas W. Briggs Foundation in 1957.
When the company was founded, Welcome Wagon "hostesses" would visit new homeowners with a gift basket containing samples, coupons, and advertising from contributing businesses. These home visits continued for over 50 years until 1998, when then-owner Cendant laid off the "hostesses", saying that changing demographics meant few homeowners would be at home when representatives called.
Welcome Wagon Canada, a separate company, continues to offer home visits. It also operates events for people planning a wedding or expecting a baby. Welcome Wagon in Canada was founded in 1930 and was run for many years by Pauline Hill, who first became a Hostess in 1953 and advanced to be head of the company as CEO (1962–1990). Welcome Wagon Ltd. became a wholly Canadian-owned entity in 1979 when a group of Canadian managers purchased it outright from the US owners. Currently, Welcome Wagon Ltd. (Canada) is being led by its CEO, Pat Neuman and its head office is situated in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Hostesses are now known as representatives.
Welcome Wagon International has had several owners. In 1995, CUC International Inc. which subsequently merged into Cendant acquired Welcome Wagon. In 2001, Homestore Inc., later known as Move, Inc., bought Welcome Wagon.
Move, Inc. announced in August 2008 that it was putting Welcome Wagon International, Inc. up for sale. On June 26, 2009, the South Florida Media Group, publisher of South Florida-based local publications, acquired Welcome Wagon International, Inc.
Welcome Wagon International, Inc., originally based in Memphis, Tennessee, moved from Westbury, New York to Plainview, New York in 2004. The company had local representatives throughout the United States. Welcome Wagon still markets to new residents through mail, telemarketing calls, and online. The company is now based in Coral Springs, Florida.
"Welcome Wagon" is the season premiere of the third season of the American mystery television series Veronica Mars, and the forty-fifth episode overall. Written by series creator Rob Thomas and directed by John T. Kretchmer, the episode premiered on The CW on October 3, 2006. The series depicts the adventures of Veronica Mars ( Kristen Bell) as she deals with life as a college student while moonlighting as a private detective.
In this episode, Veronica transitions to life at Hearst College, meeting several new people and reconnecting with several acquaintances from Neptune High. Meanwhile, a student named Piz ( Chris Lowell) gets his belongings stolen, and Veronica helps him. In addition, Keith ( Enrico Colantoni) trails Kendall Casablancas ( Charisma Carpenter) in the aftermath of receiving a large sum of money from her in " Not Pictured" before learning that she is actually a target of the Fitzpatricks. At the end of the episode, one of Veronica's newfound friends, Parker Lee ( Julie Gonzalo) becomes the next victim of the Hearst serial rapist.
"Welcome Wagon" is the first episode of Veronica Mars to air on The CW as opposed to UPN. In order to attract new viewers, Thomas and the crew decided to make several changes to the show, including altering the theme song and the show's narrative structure, beginning with this episode. In contrast to previous seasons, which involved one major season-long mystery, the show's writers planned to have three consecutive mysteries play out over the course of the third season.
The episode also sees the introduction of series regulars Stosh "Piz" Piznarski and Parker Lee as well as the promotion of Cindy "Mac" Mackenzie and Don Lamb to series regular status. Upon airing, the episode received 3.36 million viewers and received mixed to positive reviews. Eric Goldman of IGN thought that the episode "proves that the show is as clever and witty as ever", while Rowan Kaiser of The A.V. Club was critical of the show's increasing focus on rape.
Usage examples of "welcome wagon".
Her heart jumped a little at the thought that maybe a neighbor was dropping by to say hello and welcome them, maybe a Welcome Wagon lady with all kinds of goodies and coupons and baby-sitting advice.
She didnt have to see who got out of the car to know who had come calling, just as she knew this wasnt the Welcome Wagon.
They'd be so busy dodging alien hunters that they wouldn't be able to lift up human civilization and get us into the Parliament of Planets, with all the cool Welcome Wagon gifts and valuable discount coupons that come with membership.
Eula ain't the 'Welcome Wagon' lady at the Pot O' Gold, butshe's entitled to protect herself.
A paid Welcome Wagon employee--usually a middle-aged lady--visits the newcomers, answers questions about the community, and leaves behind brochures and, sometimes, inexpensive gift certificates redeemable at local stores.
Since it affects only relationships in the service category and is, actually, little more than a form of advertising, the Welcome Wagon's integrative impact is superficial.