Public Relations & Influencer Engagement
National, regional, and international PR will continue to be a core part of Visit Myrtle Beach’s marketing strategy in 2026. Our focus remains on generating positive earned media coverage that enhances the destination’s reputation and supports seasonal campaigns and key initiatives.
Strategies include year-round media pitching, in-person and virtual meetings, media hosting and FAMs, Satellite Media Tours, publisher activations, and influencer partnerships aligned with priority storylines.
National Media Relations
Maintain and enhance Myrtle Beach’s reputation as a premier tourism destination through top-tier travel, lifestyle, and broadcast coverage.
Regional Media Relations
Drive visitation from key feeder markets through seasonal storytelling, road trip inspiration, and timely booking windows.
International Media Relations
Support brand visibility in international markets, with emphasis on winter travel and group experiences.
2026 Focus Areas
Earned and influencer media efforts will align with seasonal priorities and key pillars including Culinary, Wellness (Blue Mind), Sensory-Friendly travel, Regional Drive Markets, and What’s New across the Grand Strand.
Earned Media Calendar Overview
Visit Myrtle Beach recently partnered with People Inc. for the second consecutive year to host an exclusive culinary event for national media, this time at the People Inc. Test Kitchen in New York City.
This summer, Myrtle Beach is proving that a memorable getaway can still deliver exceptional value. Ranked the No. 1 most-searched U.S. summer destination in Tripadvisor’s 2026 Summer Travel Index and a top pick for Fourth of July travel
National media coverage throughout April reinforced Myrtle Beach’s position as one of the country’s most accessible and experience-rich coastal destinations, with strong momentum across travel, culinary, golf, and family tourism narratives.
The ONEflight Myrtle Beach Classic will return to the PGA TOUR schedule on May 13–16, 2027, with the Dunes Golf and Beach Club serving as host for a fourth consecutive year. The 2027 tournament dates mark a one-week shift later on the calendar compared to the event’s first three editions, which were held during the first full week of May.
Star power will once again take center stage at the ONEflight Myrtle Beach Classic, led by Academy Award–winning actor Kurt Russell and tennis legend John McEnroe, who are both confirmed to participate in the Wednesday Pro‑Am during tournament week at the Dunes Golf and Beach Club.
National media coverage in February reinforced Myrtle Beach’s visibility as a high-demand, experience-driven coastal destination, supported by strong entertainment momentum, expanding access via direct flights, and continued recognition for value and family-friendly appeal.
The Greater Myrtle Beach Collaborative has officially launched as the new enterprise identity established to enhance the efforts of the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce (MBACC) and Visit Myrtle Beach, along with Partnership Grand Strand, Collaborate2031, Leadership Grand Strand, Grand Strand Young Professionals and additional initiatives. Through “The Collaborative,” these organizations will serve under a single platform dedicated to driving economic prosperity and improving quality of life throughout the greater Myrtle Beach area.
Picking up the winner’s check certainly will be easier than lifting the seascape trophy at this year’s ONEflight Myrtle Beach Classic, which will conclude May 10 at the Dunes Golf and Beach Club.
The winner’s hardware is a 21-pound bronze plate, sculpted for the event by Bryan Rapp, 52, the director of the Master Sculpture Program at Brookgreen Gardens in Murrells Inlet since 2019.
The ONEflight Myrtle Beach Classic will again host a Horry County Schools (HCS) Day from 9:30 to 11 a.m. on April 13, where more than 250 high school students majoring in marketing, culinary services, hospitality and turf management will receive a hands-on, behind-the-scenes look at what’s involved in running a PGA TOUR event. The professional golf event will be contested May 7-10 at the Dunes Golf and Beach Club.
With April marking National Autism Acceptance Month, communities across the Grand Strand are honoring the region’s long-standing commitment to inclusivity and accessibility through a series of special occasions.
