March 2016 -Welcome to Brand USA's monthly media newsletter with all the top stateside news spanning the next few months. Please include the URL www.VisitTheUSA.comto entice your readers with more USA adventures.

Follow the House of Cards pack as the Capital Region gets political

With three popular seasons completed and a fourth launching on Netflix this week, there are many spots for fans to re-live their favourite scenes from House of Cards from the vibrant county of Harford, Maryland, to the streets of Washington, D.C.  A self-guided tour put together by Visit Harford allows fans to physically follow the journey of the scheming Underwood and his wife Claire. Key sights include the Union United Methodist Church in Aberdeen where Frank and Claire's vow renewal took place in Season 3; Ladew Gardens, Monkton as well as the waterside city of Havre de Grace which is used as the South Carolina backdrop. In Washington, D.C., visitors can soon experience the hospitality of a politician as Donald Trump's new hotel will open in September 2016, transforming the historic Post Office building following a $2million (approx. £1.4million) redevelopment featuring a 4,000 sq. ft. Mar-a-Lago Spa by Ivanka Trump. Until then, politics buffs can feel closer to the elections with a new interactive exhibit in partnership with CNN at the Newseum. CNN Politics Campaign 2016: Like, Share, Elect, opening this April, will tell the story of the 2016 presidential campaign in real time, providing an immersive experience that allows visitors to explore the ways digital and social media have transformed the campaign, how journalists cover elections and how the public participates in the process.

www.VisitTheUSA.com / www.capitalregionusa.co.uk / www.VisitHarford.com / www.newseum.org / www.trumphotelcollection.com/washington-dc

New National Historic Park announced for Washington State

While visitors to Seattle can reach the wilds of Olympic and North Cascades National Parks within a two-hour drive, a new addition to the National Park system, Manhattan Project National Historical Park, will be open for free tours from April until September, annually. The Manhattan Project National Historical Park in Hanford, Washington, includes the Hanford Engineer Works which was built to create plutonium at a 600 sq. mile site along the Columbia River. The park includes the B Reactor National Historic Landmark, which produced the material for the Trinity test and plutonium bomb, the Hanford High School (pictured), White Bluffs Bank and Hanford Irrigation District Pump House, providing a glimpse into the history of the Hanford area which is representative of the condemnation of private property and eviction of homeowners and Native American tribes to clear the way for top-secret work. Celebrating its centennial this year, the National Park Service expects the site to attract 100,000 visitors by 2018.

Brand USA and MacGillivray Freeman's America Wild – National Parks Adventure is now showing at London's BFI IMAX Waterloo, following three adventurers as they explore some of the USA's legendary national parks.

www.VisitTheUSA.com/outdoors / www.NPS.gov

Detroit becomes Metropolis this March

From 25th March, fans of DC superheroes can see Detroit in cinemas nationwide as Henry Cavill and Ben Affleck make Motown their Metropolis in Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice. A number of scenes were filmed across the city including an apocalyptic streetscape battle in downtown Detroit by Congress and Grisworld and the Broad Art Museum saw protest scenes and a party hosted by Lex Luther. Pre-released footage shows the famous Batmobile in flames by Russell Industrial Center,  where a stand-off between the two superheroes is seen, while a shot of Michigan Central Station in the trailer teases further landmarks in the film. Motown The Musical has also just opened its doors at the Shaftesbury Theatre, bringing Detroit's golden era of music and the story of how Berry Gordy Jr changed the course of music history to London. Virgin Atlantic last summer launched daily flights from London Heathrow direct to Detroit, enabling UK visitors to discover Metropolis and Motown highlights.

www.VisitTheUSA.com/Detroit / www.michigan.org / www.virgin-atlantic.com

Coronado shipwreck brings ashore U.S. Prohibition history

Following El Nino storms in January, a lost sunken ship has re-appeared after 80 years underwater off the south coast of California, offering beachgoers a glimpse in to early twentieth century history. Emerging at low tide on Coronado Beach, San Diego, the remains are of the SS Monte Carlo, a 'sin ship', that housed gambling and prostitution – illegal on land – in the prohibition age. The 300-foot long SS Monte Carlo anchored off Long Beach in 1933 and ran aground during a storm in 1937. Mob-owned gambling ships were anchored several miles off-shore, with full casinos, dance halls and brothels, as documented in the 1930's film Gambling Ship, starring Cary Grant. UK travellers planning a holiday to San Diego can explore 70 miles of beaches, visit a number of craft breweries and watch Gray whales as they migrate annually from December – April and Blue whales from mid-June to September.  www.VisitTheUSA.com/SanDiego / www.SanDiego.org

Shaun White joins Mammoth Ownership Team

Action sports icon, Shaun White, has announced he will be returning to his childhood stomping ground as part of Mammoth Resort's Ownership team. Shaun's investment into the resort will see an immediate focus on Big Bear Mountain Resorts and its on-snow experience, including the top two terrain parks in the USA. Further news of Shaun's vision for Mammoth and terrain park enhancements will be announced in the next few months. Introducing Shaun White follows the acquisition of two mountains and the introduction of the Cali4nia Pass, marking a significant time in growth and development for Mammoth Resorts. White has previously helped to usher action sports in crossing over into the main stream with festival and international snowboard series Air + Style. www.VisitTheUSA.com/California / www.mammothresorts.com

Iowa celebrates the life of Grant Wood

To celebrate the would-be 125th birthdays of Iowa-born Grant Wood and Marvin Cone in 2016, the Cedar Rapids Museum of Art, which houses the largest collection of Grant Wood pieces globally, is holding an exhibition, Grant Wood and Marvin Cone: Barns, Farms, and America's Heartland. Running until 15th May, the exhibit will showcase the artists' passion for Iowa's rolling countryside, farms and the people of Iowa, including well-known works such as Young Corn and American Gothic (pictured). The lifelong friendship of Wood and Cone was built on their shared interest of art and their city, Cedar Rapids, after attending high school together and becoming an active force in the Stone City Art Colony. www.VisitTheUSA.com / www.TravelIowa.com

Shop Miami Month offers discounts for visitors

Those seeking warmer climes this Easter can twin sunshine with shopping as Miami holds its fourth annual Shop Miami Month, from 1st – 31st March. The destination's mix of world-class malls, haute couture, designer boutiques and colourful bargain outlets will be holding events and special offers throughout the month. Highlights include a Festive Friday series with cultural events and performances at Southland Mall, Dadelands Mall Festival of the Arts, Aveda's Beauty Bash and personal shopping sessions. www.VisitTheUSA.com/Miami / www.shopmiamimonth.com

-ENDS-

Discover this land, like never before VisitTheUSA.com

Brand USA is the public-private partnership responsible for promoting the United States as a premier travel destination and communicating U.S. entry/exit policies and procedures. Established by the Travel Promotion Act in 2010, the organisation's mission is to increase international visitation to the United States while working in partnership with the travel industry to maximise the economic and social benefits of travel. These benefits include creating jobs essential to the economy and fostering understanding between people and cultures. For industry or partner information about Brand USA, visit TheBrandUSA.com.

For information about travel to and around the United States, please visit Brand USA's consumer website at VisitTheUSA.com.

For further Brand USA, UK/Ireland press information, contact:

Polly Beech / Sarah Barnett / Allie Williams

pbeech@thebrandusa.co.uk/ sbarnett@thebrandusa.co.uk / awilliams@thebrandusa.co.uk

020 7845 6359 / 020 7845 6378 / 020 7845 6384