Visit USA Roadshow 2026

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The Visit USA Committee Ireland Roadshows returned to Cork and Dublin on 28 and 29 April 2026, creating an important platform for US destinations and travel brands to meet with senior members of the Irish travel trade.

This year’s programme took place at Hayfield Manor Hotel in Cork and The Leinster Hotel in Dublin, attracting key decision-makers from travel agencies and tour operators across the country.

The roadshows were supported by a strong and varied sponsor line-up, including Visit Detroit, Hertz, Bradley International Airport, Louisville Tourism, Florida Keys & Key West and Florida’s Space Coast. Collectively, they demonstrated the remarkable diversity of the US holiday offering, from dynamic city breaks and cultural escapes to coastal getaways, fly-drive adventures, space-themed experiences, food and drink itineraries and outdoor exploration.

As a voluntary, non-profit organisation, Visit USA Committee Ireland works to promote the United States as a leisure and business travel destination. It acts as an important link between its members, the Irish travel trade, travel media and consumers, while also maintaining a close working relationship with the US Foreign & Commercial Service at the US Embassy in Dublin.

The 2026 roadshows came at a valuable time for the sector, giving US suppliers direct access to Irish travel professionals as interest in long-haul travel continues to evolve. Attendees included managing directors, product developers, marketing chiefs and owner-operators from leading travel agencies and tour operators such as American Holidays, Tour America, Click&Go, Sunway, Best4Travel, Shandon Travel, Cassidy Travel and Travel Department.

For participating US destinations and suppliers, the roadshows offered an opportunity to build relationships, deliver product updates and encourage the development of new USA itineraries for Irish holidaymakers. For the Irish travel trade, the events provided first-hand destination knowledge, practical selling insights and fresh inspiration to help agents and operators promote the USA with confidence.

The sponsor presentations reflected the scale and variety of experiences available across the United States.

Visit Detroit showcased a city with a powerful story to tell, combining music, culture, sport, food and urban renewal. The wider Detroit region offers vibrant neighbourhoods, cultural attractions, waterfront experiences and major sporting venues, giving Irish travellers plenty of reasons to consider the city as part of a wider US itinerary.

Louisville Tourism highlighted the city’s distinctive Southern character, with a strong focus on bourbon, culinary travel, culture and iconic visitor attractions. As a gateway to Bourbon Country, Louisville offers strong appeal for travellers interested in food, drink, heritage and authentic regional experiences.

Florida Keys & Key West brought a unique island flavour to the roadshows. Connected by the famous Overseas Highway, the Florida Keys offer a memorable combination of turquoise waters, coral islands, snorkelling, diving, boating, fishing and laid-back coastal charm.

Florida’s Space Coast presented a compelling mix of beach, nature and space exploration. With 72 miles of coastline, easy access from Orlando, Cocoa Beach, Port Canaveral, wildlife experiences and Kennedy Space Center, the destination offers a distinctive proposition for families, couples and adventure-seekers alike.

Bradley International Airport had particular relevance for the Irish market thanks to Aer Lingus’ direct Dublin–Hartford service. The route provides Irish travellers with a convenient gateway to Connecticut and the wider New England region, supporting both leisure itineraries and business travel.

Hertz added an important fly-drive element to the roadshow message, underlining the freedom and flexibility that car rental brings to a US holiday. From scenic highways and national parks to coastal routes, small towns and multi-centre itineraries, exploring by car allows Irish visitors to go beyond the main gateways and experience more of the country at their own pace.

Following successful events in Cork and Dublin, the Visit USA Committee Ireland Roadshows once again demonstrated the strength of trade engagement around US travel from Ireland. By connecting US destinations and suppliers directly with the Irish travel industry, Visit USA Committee Ireland continues to support product development, destination awareness and long-term growth in travel between Ireland and the United States.

2026 Red, White, & Blue To-Do in Philadelphia

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The Philadelphia Historic District 250th Committee announces plans for the third annual Red, White, & Blue To-Do celebration, honouring the day the Second Continental Congress voted for independence.

The Philadelphia Historic District 250th Committee’s 2026 Red, White, & Blue To-Do celebration will take place on July 2, commemorating a day of “pomp and parade,” as declared by John Adams in 1776, encouraging visitors to celebrate independence in the place where it all began. A vibrant celebration, the Red, White, & Blue To-Do transforms the birthplace of American independence. The festivities bring together museums and historic sites creating an unforgettable, all-ages celebration giving everyone a chance to participate in this historic year.

The day begins (7 am) with the creation of a giant Living Liberty Bell, gathering 250 people to create an outline of the famous bell on Independence Mall. At 9 am, bells will ring, museums and historic sites open, and the official flag is raised at the Betsy Ross House.

Then at 11 am, theRed, White, & Blue To-Do Pomp & Parade features 13 whimsical red wagon floats decked out with Philadelphia icons and patriotic flair. The Parade also features drill teams, cultural dance troupes, and national and international youth performers representing the diversity of the city. Launching from the National Constitution Centre, the parade travels past the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall, turning right on 3rd Street, and ending at Walnut Street.

As the parade ends, more free fun ensues with the All-American Block Party (12-2 pm), produced in partnership with Wawa Welcome America, on 3rd Street between Chestnut and Walnut Streets and onto Dock Street, where visitors can enjoy music, games, family-friendly activities, highlights from Historic District attractions, as well as food trucks and seating.

The afternoon features Philadelphia artists performing free street musical sets at Red, White, & Blue Music Series (2-5 pm) at ten locations throughout the Historic District. Each stop transforms the birthplace of American independence into an open-air concert hall, where all ages can find something that speaks directly to them, whether they are casual listeners, culture seekers, or devoted music lovers.

Red, White, & Rosé Picnic begins at 5 pm on Independence Mall with picnic seating and food trucks along Arch Street, between 5th & 6th Streets. During the picnic, visitors can check out Float Fest, viewing the elaborate floats alongside the Mall which will be used in the July 3rd Salute to Independence Semiquincentennial Parade.

The Wawa Welcome America’s Salute to Service(7-9 pm) features The United States Army Field Band and Soldiers’ Chorus on Independence Mall with superstar Queen Latifah.  The rousing performance honours soldiers and veterans, while showcasing the talented musicians and artists in the Army, taking place on Independence Mall next to the Independence Visitor Centre at 6th and Market Streets.

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Landmark Opening Signals a New Era for Arts and Culture in Los Angeles

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On May 4, the eagerly awaited David Geffen Galleries expansion at LA County Museum of Art (LACMA) will open to the public, adding 110,000 square feet of gallery space to the largest art museum in the western US and cementing LA’s reputation as a global cultural capital. Beyond LACMA, the city is bursting with creative energy in 2026 with a wave of exciting openings. Los Angeles Tourism shares the top openings and events that art lovers of all ages and interests won’t want to miss this year.

LACMA’s David Geffen Galleries debuts to the public on May 4

Designed by architect Peter Zumthor, the David Geffen Galleries will be LACMA’s new home for its permanent collection. Spanning Wilshire Boulevard, the elevated, 900-foot-long exhibition space will enable LACMA to present art from all cultures and eras on a single level without hierarchies or prescribed visitor pathways, redefining the museum experience by embracing new perspectives on art, history, and Los Angeles itself.

The building is designed to hold approximately 2,500 to 3,000 objects from the museum’s global collection at one time, filling 110,000 square feet of gallery space. Rather than displaying artworks according to medium or period, the inaugural installation will use the Pacific, Indian, and Atlantic Oceans and the Mediterranean Sea as its organizing framework, emphasizing the cultural exchange, migration, and commerce prevalent throughout the history of art.

The futuristic Lucas Museum of Narrative Art opens in September 

The Lucas Museum of Narrative Art, opening on 22 September 2026, believes illustrated stories connect us and reflect the shared beliefs that create community. The museum is founded by George Lucas and Mellody Hobson with the conviction that art is an emotional connection between the viewer and the story; art is in the eye of the beholder. The building is designed by architect Ma Yansong of MAD with assistance from US-based architecture firm, Stantec, and sits in Los Angeles’s Exposition Park on an 11-acre campus with green space designed by Mia Lehrer of Studio-MLA. The 300,000-square-foot structure will feature galleries, two theaters, a retail store, a library, a café, a restaurant, and event spaces.

World’s first AI art museum comes to LA

DATALAND is set to open in Downtown LA this spring as a new venue dedicated to art shaped by data and AI, led by Refik Anadol. The project builds on his studio’s work with machine learning and large-scale digital installations, bringing it into a permanent public space. This 25,000-square-foot “living museum” will merge human imagination with machine creativity.

sister dreamer sculpture park in South LA

American installation artist Lauren Halsey unveiled ‘sister dreamer lauren halsey’s architectural ode to tha surge n splurge of south central los angeles’ in March 2026. The installation is an architectural monument paying homage to South Los Angeles, the neighbourhood where the artist and her family have lived for generations. The location will host film screenings, health and wellness events, community-centric celebrations, jazz nights, sport activation, and more, conceived and led by Halsey’s nonprofit organization, Summaeverythang Community Center.

Discover Meow Wolf Los Angeles

Meow Wolf’s long-awaited Los Angeles debut will open in West LA in late 2026, taking over a former cinema complex. The collective has built a following for large-scale, walk-through environments that sit somewhere between exhibition and narrative experience, with visitors moving through interconnected rooms that reveal a loose, unfolding story. The LA experience is expected to draw heavily on the city’s film culture, with contributions from local artists and a focus on immersive world-building rather.

“Gracias Gustavo” at LA Philharmonic

Gustavo Dudamel’s final season as the Music & Artistic Director of the LA Philharmonic concludes in June, following an incredible 17-year tenure. His final season, “Gracias Gustavo,” is a celebration of the innovative programming, commissions, and profound community connection he has fostered since 2009.

Holocaust Museum LA expands for a new generation

In June 2026, the Holocaust Museum LA will reopen following a major 50,000-square-foot expansion, marking a significant new chapter for the institution. The new Jona Goldrich Campus will feature enhanced exhibition spaces, a state-of-the-art theatre, classrooms, and outdoor reflection areas, alongside new technology preserving Holocaust survivor testimonies.

Armenian American Museum and Cultural Center completes construction

The Armenian American Museum and Cultural Center of California is set to complete construction in Downtown Glendale this year. Their vision will create a cultural campus that enriches the community, educates the public on the Armenian American story, and empowers individuals to embrace cultural diversity and speak out against prejudice.

For more inspiration on visiting Los Angeles, click here.