Historic Milestone, Historic Opportunity: How DMOs Can Leverage America250

As our nation prepares to mark the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 2026, states and destination marketing organizations (DMOs) are uniquely positioned to showcase their destinations and share their stories. This milestone celebration will draw nationwide attention and inspire travelers across the country, making it the perfect moment to attract new visitors and highlight what makes each destination unforgettable. 

What Makes America250 a Tourism Game-Changer?

• A Singular National Moment: Hosted by the congressional America250 Commission and a presidential task force, this celebration promises broad media visibility and traveler interest.
• International Reach via Brand USA: Through a partnership with America250, Brand USA will amplify global marketing efforts, offering content, itineraries, and storytelling frameworks tailored for inbound audiences.
• Allied Mega‑Events: The America250 observance coincides with the 2026 FIFA World Cup and Route 66’s 100th anniversary, creating layered opportunities for cross‑campaign synergy and shared promotional momentum. If you want to learn more, check out our blog on the FIFA World Cup.

Key Strategies Destinations Can Implement

Design storytelling driven itineraries that highlight untold or underrepresented narratives—such as Indigenous contributions, regional women’s history, or local heritage—making national history feel deeply local and relevant. This can engage leisure travelers or history buffs to explore other parts of the country. 

There are opportunities for immersive experience, which people love and enjoy sharing on social media, giving your destination earned media. 

• Public Art & Legacy Projects: Invest in murals, sculptures, or community installations (e.g., tree plantings) to create physical, long-lasting tributes to the moment.
• Culinary Storytelling: Partner with local chefs or establishments to spotlight historically rooted cuisine or special “America 250” menus.
• Virtual & Augmented Tools: Offer virtual tours or AR experiences that allow visitors to engage remotely or enhance on-site historical storytelling.

Don’t forget that tech is your friend. Use mobile passes, digital trail check‑ins, and real‑time recommendations to engage visitors where they are. This also allows for segmentation and retargeting, ensuring messaging lands at the right moment and you can continue to hit these audience segments in months to come. 

We suggest launching these campaigns early. It’s time to start planning now! Begin teasing campaigns and stories now to build excitement leading into 2026. Use countdowns, influencer storytelling, and PR to stay top-of-mind during the lead-up. 

In Summary

America250 is more than just a milestone. It’s a catalyst for storytelling, community pride, and long-term tourism growth. By blending history with innovation, investing in experiences, and leveraging strategic partnerships and funding, states and DMOs can anchor their own compelling journeys within this national narrative. Destinations can take advantage of this momentum.

About Orange 142

We have extensive experience working with travel and hospitality brands, delivering everything from full website launches to integrated campaigns across web, mobile, CTV, social media, and influencer marketing. Our work helps destinations and resorts attract the right audience, inspire them to visit, and convert interest into bookings.

Orange 142 is a digital marketing and advertising agency offering solutions in media campaigns, marketing services, website development, and marketing enablement. We combine creative strategy with data-driven execution, ensuring every initiative is measurable, optimized, and aligned with our clients’ goals.

Learn more about how we work with Travel & Tourism brands.