Salute to Ships 250

Role - Marketing Specialist – E-Commerce

Timeline - Less than 1 month

Campaign Type - Large-Scale Event

Marketing Channels - Social Media, Website, Email, Print, Digital Signage

Audience - Military Families, Veterans, NYC Community visitors

Outcome - 3,000+ attendees, regional and military media coverage, successful execution under an accelerated timeline

The challenge

Salute to Ships 250 was one of Fort Hamilton's most visible public events, celebrating America's 250th anniversary as an official viewing location for the Sail 250 Parade and International Naval Review in New York Harbor.

With less than a month to plan and execute the marketing campaign, the project demanded rapid coordination, creative problem-solving, and flawless execution.

The objective was to quickly build public awareness, communicate event logistics, and position Fort Hamilton as a premier destination for one of the nation's largest maritime celebrations, all while working within an accelerated production schedule.

Crowd gathered outdoors at a patriotic event with red, white, and blue tents, American flags, and people sitting and standing under trees on a sunny day.
A large white sailing ship with multiple masts and white sails sailing on a body of water with smaller boats and yachts around it.

My Role

My responsibilities included designing promotional graphics, managing website updates, producing social media content, coordinating digital communications, creating print materials, and maintaining consistent branding across every audience touchpoint despite the compressed timeline.

A lineup of six blue fighter jets flying in formation through a clear blue sky, emitting white smoke trails.

The Strategy

With fewer than four weeks to launch the campaign, speed and consistency became the driving priorities. Rather than relying on a single communication channel, I implemented a multi-channel marketing strategy that combined social media, website updates, email communications, digital signage, and printed promotional materials to maximize reach in a short period of time.

Messaging emphasized Fort Hamilton's unique waterfront location beneath the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge, giving visitors a rare opportunity to experience the historic Parade of Sail, military flyovers, and America's 250th anniversary celebration from one of New York City's most historic military installations.

Poster advertising an event by USAG Fort Hamilton titled 'Sail 250 Celebration Parade of Ships' taking place on July 3, 2026. The event is at Fort Hamilton Army Base, Engleholm Bluff, 101st St. & Fort Hamilton Pkwy. The poster features a large military ship on water and soldiers firing artillery at a demonstration on land, with event details, date, time, and location.

The results

Thousands of visitors attended the installation to watch the Parade of Sail and aerial demonstrations, with Fort Hamilton welcoming more than 3,000 visitors during the July 4 celebration. The event also generated coverage through Army public affairs channels and broader media reporting surrounding Sail 250 and the International Naval Review, further highlighting Fort Hamilton's role in America's 250th anniversary celebration.

Successfully delivering a large-scale campaign under significant time constraints demonstrated my ability to prioritize competing deadlines, execute integrated marketing strategies, and produce high-quality communications for a high-profile public event.

A woman in military uniform wearing a U.S. Army dress hat, standing at a podium, speaking into a microphone during a formal event.
A woman with long brown hair and a man in a military uniform having a conversation outdoors near a body of water with boats in the background. The woman is holding a microphone labeled 'FOX 5 NEW YORK' and wearing a blue cap with American flag patches. The man is wearing a green military uniform with several medals and a patch that reads 'RECRUITING'.