Brand USA Newsletter - August 2018

Fourth of July Celebrations Reflect Brand USA's Global Presence

With red, white and blue grandeur, Brand USA celebrated the Fourth of July around the globe.

In France, more than 230 travel-trade professionals enjoyed a holiday cruise along the Seine in Paris to mark the occasion. Brand USA partnered with American Airlines for the networking event.

In China, Brand USA, with the assistance of the U.S. embassy in Beijing, and U.S. consulate generals in Chengdu, Shanghai and Shenyang, hosted four distinctive Fourth of July events.

  • Beijing – More than 1,100 guests came to an American country fair, June 29.
  • Chengdu – “American Wild West” festivities drew 400 guests, also on June 29.
  • Shanghai – A Broadway-themed party played to more than 1,000 guests, July 5.
  • Shenyang – A “Travel Across America” event had 400 guests, July 6.

Brand USA also introduced the second giant-screen documentary it has recently produced, by presenting a film trailer. Released earlier this year, “America’s Musical Journey” traces the varied musical heritage of the United States through on-screen visits to a selection of cities and towns that have iconic affiliations with American music.

In India, Brand USA and the U.S. consulate in Kolkata held a Fourth of July celebration at the J.W. Marriott Hotel.

Guests included: Atri Bhattacharya, principal secretary, West Bengal’s Departments of Home, Hill Affairs and Tourism; Mary Kay Carlson, deputy chief of mission, U.S. Embassy New Delhi; and Jeff Sexton, minister counselor for public affairs, U.S. Embassy New Delhi.

Craig Hall, U.S. consul general in Kolkata, welcomed the guests.

In New Zealand, Brand USA Country Manager Wayne Mitcham attended a U.S. Consulate and U.S. Embassy celebration of Independence Day in Auckland. U.S. Ambassador Scott Brown was a featured speaker. Other dignitaries at the evening event included Auckland Mayor Phil Goff. Numerous senior government officials were also there.

The event marked the end of Consul General Melanie Higgins’ brief tenure in New Zealand. During her time in the country, she participated in many U.S. tourism events. Brand USA officials appreciated her consistent support for the promotion of the United States as a premier travel destination for New Zealanders.

In Germany, Brand USA supported festivities for six Fourth of July events. The U.S. embassy in Berlin hosted one of the celebrations. U.S. consulates general hosted five others—in Dusseldorf, Hamburg, Frankfurt, Leipzig, and Munich. A total of 6,000 attendees included government, military, business, and cultural leaders.