Brand USA recently hosted eight Aussie and Kiwi advisors on an epic sports-themed road trip in Arizona and Nevada, partnering with Arizona Office of Tourism, Delta Air Lines, Infinity Holidays, Sports Where I Am and Alamo for the nine-day Sports Odyssey Famil.
From 28 February to 8 March 2025, the Brand USA Sports Odyssey Famil incentive winners covered 1,500km through two states and nine city stops on the mega road trip.
Hosted by Brand USA Tourism Development Manager ANZ Lexie Miliatis and Arizona Office of Tourism (AOT) rep Millie Browne, the agents were James Mallett (Travel Associates), Treena Moore (Galaxy Travel World Travellers), Jasvinder Singh (Flight Centre NZ), Alana Pilcher (Flight Centre AU), Corinne Heveldt (Flight Centre AU), Krystal Cooke (Helloworld), Brian Caddle (Reho Travel) and Fiona Gent (MTA – Mobile Travel Agents).
Brand USA Sports Odyssey Famil itinerary highlights
Arizona road trip highlights included driving Route 66, sunrise hot-air ballooning in Phoenix, discovering Native American art and history in Scottsdale and surprise snowfall in Sedona and Flagstaff, to name a few.
In Nevada, the fam group stayed at Encore Las Vegas and was joined by Delta Air Lines’ Nicole Bennett for a helicopter ride over The Strip, The Sphere experience and a Lip Smacking Food Tour.
The sports tourism component kicked off with not one but two thrilling sporting events at Las Vegas’ Allegiant Stadium, followed by nine holes at We-Ko-Pa Golf Course and a Phoenix Suns vs Los Angeles Clippers NBA game in Phoenix, a women’s tennis match at NAU Tennis Centre in Flagstaff, AZ.
Flight Centre consultant Alana Pilcher said the Brand USA Sports Odyssey Famil trip was an unforgettable adventure with Route 66 a particular standout.
“Arizona’s landscapes captivated me with their stunning diversity from sun-drenched desert vistas to serene pine forests in the higher elevations,” she said.
“What truly stood out was how each town along the route offered its own unique charm and character, making every stop a new discovery.
“Where else can you stop at a roadside sandwich diner and find yourself in a bingo battle or playing pool with the local mayor at a town club? These unexpected moments made this journey truly something special and one for the books.”
