KEEP AMERICA BEAUTIFUL NATIONAL SUMMIT CONVENES IN NEW ORLEANS AHEAD OF AMERICA 250
National leaders unite to advance litter prevention, recycling, and community resilience under the theme “Let’s Do Beautiful Things, Together!” Feb. 26-28
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – February 25, 2026
WHO/WHAT
The Keep America Beautiful® National Summit takes place February 26 to 28, 2026 at the New Orleans Marriott.
United under the goal of “Let’s Do Beautiful Things, Together!” the Summit is a national gathering focused on advancing practical, bipartisan solutions to litter prevention, recycling, climate resilience and community beautification. As the nation prepares to commemorate America’s 250th birthday on July 4, 2026, the Summit will serve as a catalyst for the final surge of the Greatest American Cleanup, encouraging communities nationwide to prioritize cleaning and greening efforts as part of the semiquincentennial milestone.
Recent national research underscores the urgency of this work. According to a Keep America Beautiful survey conducted by The Harris Poll, 90 percent of Americans say litter is a problem, 95 percent believe it negatively affects the environment, public health, business and tourism, and property values, and 92 percent say cleaning and greening the country should be a priority as the country approaches its 250th anniversary.
New Orleans was selected as host city for its leadership in culture, resilience and sense of place, values that closely align with the mission of Keep America Beautiful. Tourism, community pride and the condition of public spaces are central to Louisiana’s economy, making the city a fitting backdrop for conversations about beautification, waste reduction and civic engagement.
Summit sessions will spotlight emerging technologies for cleaning waterways and public spaces, proven strategies in recycling and community revitalization, and the role of cleanup efforts in strengthening public health, safety and civic pride. Media will be permitted at select sessions, and some speakers will be available for interviews as schedules allow.
WHO
Nearly 500 local leaders, nonprofit professionals, government officials and corporate partners from across the United States will convene in New Orleans for the largest Summit in Keep America Beautiful history. The event is cohosted by Jennifer Lawson, President and CEO of Keep America Beautiful, and Billy Nungesser, Lieutenant Governor of Louisiana. Notable speakers include Lucinda Robb, author and granddaughter of Lady Bird Johnson; Anne Lamott, bestselling author and civic advocate; and Edward Humes, Pulitzer Prize winning investigative journalist.
WHERE
New Orleans Marriott
555 Canal Street
WHEN
February 26–28, 2026
MEDIA
Media will be permitted at select sessions, and some speakers will be available for interviews as schedules allow.
Keep America Beautiful: Leslie McClain, lmcclain@kab.org, 703.517.4550
New Orleans & Company: Kelly Schulz, kschulz@neworleans.com, 504.421.0962
Rhonda Cook, rcook@neworleans.com, 504.616.6161
SOCIAL
Website: https://kab.org/summit
LinkedIn: Keep America Beautiful®
Facebook: Keep America Beautiful
Instagram: @keepamericabeautiful
X: @kabtweet
About Keep America Beautiful: For more than 70 years, Keep America Beautiful has brought communities together to reduce litter, improve recycling, and beautify public spaces. That work has resulted in millions of acres of public space restored, hundreds of thousands of trees planted, and litter removed from roads, waterways, and neighborhoods nationwide.