In today’s fast-paced travel industry, first-hand experience isn’t a nice-to-have; it’s your competitive edge, as 15 top advisors discovered on five Sell Your Way to the USA famils. Read on to find out what went down in Nevada, Utah, Alaska, Washington, DC, Oklahoma and Texas, plus news about Sell Your Way to the USA 2026.
If you’ve been on a famil, you know how much experiences and tours bring a destination to life. Whether it’s dog mushing across Alaska’s wild tundra, taking in the exhilarating views in Zion National Park, or road-tripping from the bright lights of Las Vegas to remote corners of Nevada.
That’s just a fraction of what 15 lucky Australian and New Zealand agents experienced in the USA this year, earning their 2025 Sell Your Way to the USA place.
“Outstanding”
In partnership with Qantas, American Airlines, Brand USA Destination DC, Grapevine Convention & Visitors Bureau, Oklahoma Tourism, Travel Nevada, the Utah Office of Tourism, and Visit Anchorage, Canuckiwi outdid themselves once again.
With three spots on five fams, Australian and New Zealand advisors accumulated points through Qantas and American Airlines sales to the U.S. Along with land bookings to partner destinations, and completion of the USA Discovery Program badges.
From the $2.4 million in registered revenue, and more than 1,300 USA Discovery Program badges completed by registrants, it was clear this wasn’t just a nice-to-have prize, but the must-win-at-all-costs famils of 2025.
Director of Canuckiwi Corey Marshall said the 2025 program reached new heights. “This year’s incentive delivered outstanding results, combining six U.S. destinations with our airline partners to offer advisors practical, firsthand experiences that have strengthened their expertise and confidence in selling the U.S. market.”
The United States of wow
With the line-up of the five meticulously planned U.S. fam trips, it’s easy to see why the results were so incredible.
Here’s what went down:
Washington, DC
Washington, DC images: Clockwise from top left: Bianca Douglas Watt, Clinton Griffiths and Maree Sterling at Washington, DC’s World War II Memorial; Maree, Bianca and Clinton at the Lincoln Memorial; Maree, Bianca and Clinton at Loudoun County’s Stone Tower Winery. Hero image: Clinton, Bianca Corallo (Destination DC), Maree and Bianca at a hockey game.
Bianca Douglas Watt from Flight Centre Rouse Hill, Clinton Griffiths from Globus Family, and Maree Sterling from Travel on Capri explored Washington, DC’s vibrant neighbourhoods, cultural institutions, and so-hot-right-now culinary scene.
Discovering hidden gems beyond the National Mall – from scooter tours of the monuments to wine tasting in Loudoun, and cheering on the Capitals at a hockey game – the Aussie agents fell in love with the ease of travel across Washington, DC.
Grapevine, Texas & Oklahoma
Grapevine, Texas and Oklahoma images: Clockwise from top left: Kathryn Yule at the Chisholm Trail Heritage Center, Oklahoma; Kathryn, Heather Egan (Director of Leisure & International Sales, Grapevine Convention & Visitors Bureau), Amanda Graham and Anthony Tuy on the Grapevine Vintage Railroad; Kathryn, Heather and Amanda at Gaylord Texan Resort. Hero image: Anthony, Amanda, Kathryn and Claire Mountaine (Travel Oklahoma Account Director, AUNZ) at an Oklahoma diner.
Fun was had by Amanda Graham from Chirn Park Travel, Kathryn Yule Stage and Screen, and Anthony Tuy Flight Centre Wetherill Park on an immersive self-drive adventure from Grapevine, Texas to Oklahoma City.
They wandered Grapevine’s charming Historic Main Street, sampled goodies in the region’s wine tasting rooms, and discovered creative arts attractions and the Grapevine Vintage Railroad before crossing into Oklahoma.
Once in the Sooner State, they connected with Indigenous culture, had thrilling outdoor adventures, and tapped into the state’s famous Western heritage. Oklahoma City’s cultural precincts added greater insights, and together the week-long itinerary reinforced both destinations as authentic, accessible destinations for Australian travellers.
Nevada
Nevada images: Clockwise from top left: Abbey Shannon at the Extraterrestrial Highway; Abbey Shannon, Jodi Small and Conrad Machado kayaking at Emerald Cave; Conrad Machado, Abbey Shannon, Jodi Small and Elsa Gomez at Fontainebleau Las Vegas. Hero image: Jodi Small, Conrad Machado and Abbey Shannon at Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area.
Travel Nevada played gracious hosts to Conrad Machado from Flight Centre Sydney, Jodi Small from Flight Centre Brisbane, and Abbey Shannon from Flight Centre Business Sydney. The crew took a week-long self-drive road trip curated to showcase the Silver State beyond the Strip.
Adventures included e-biking in Red Rock Canyon, experiencing the majesty of the Valley of Fire and Death Valley first-hand, along with Tonopah’s mining history, and the fascinating Extraterrestrial Highway.
Anchorage & Southcentral Alaska
Anchorage & Southcentral Alaska images: Clockwise from top left: A brown bear in Alaska’s wilderness; dog sledding in the Alaskan wild; Gianfranco Belloli, Lee Rabbidge, Karen McCardle (Canuckiwi Trade Director), Nadia Paulsen (Adventure World) and Swapnil Bhate witnessing the aurora. Hero image: K2 flightseeing.
Gianfranco Belloli from Flight Centre Wellington, Lee Rabbidge from Infinity Holidays, and Swapnil Bhate from Flight Centre Auckland experienced an immersive journey across Alaska’s untamed wilderness.
Experiencing both the urban gems and wild wonders, they soared above glaciers and went dog mushing at high speed, before the peace and unrivalled magic of seeing the Aurora Borealis dance above the night sky.
The group learned more about selling Alaska, with surprises they could include on their client’s itineraries, like a Nordic spa rejuvenation day, and alpine culinary delights.
Utah
Utah images: Clockwise from top left: Jodi van de Wydeven, Sophie Shaw and Dan Eastwood at Heber Valley Milk & Artisan Cheese; Dan and Jodi at Sand Caves, Kanab. Hero image: Sophie, Dan and Jodi at Sand Caves, Kanab.
A self-drive adventure through Utah revealed alpine valleys, dramatic red-rock canyons, and three of the state’s stunning National Parks.
Sophie Shaw from NZ Travel Brokers, Dan Eastwood from Infinity Holidays, and Jodi van de Wydeven from Two Feet Agency declared their Utah highlights as the dramatic Peekaboo Slot Canyon, a soothing soak in the Crater hot springs, and trekking the breathtaking Overlook Trail in Zion National Park.
First-hand knowledge = greater sales
With over 1,300 Brand USA USA Discovery Program badges completed, more agents across Australia and New Zealand than ever increased their foundational knowledge of all the US has to offer.
For the fam winners, however, they gained so much more, with on-the-ground experience broadening their understanding of product, accessibility, and value for travellers. The diversity of in-destination experiences was woven into every curated famil itinerary, expanding insights and know-how further.
Brand USA’s Senior Director for APAC, Suzy Shepard, recognised the impact of the initiative, saying: “Brand USA is proud to support programs like Sell Your Way to the USA, which continue to elevate advisor expertise through real, on-the-ground experiences.
“Our partners have delivered exceptional itineraries this year, giving agents a deeper understanding of the variety, accessibility, and magic of travelling across the USA.” Shephard continues, “With a milestone year ahead in 2026, including America250 celebrations, these first-hand experiences ensure advisors are well equipped to inspire their clients and grow their U.S. sales with confidence.”
Sell Your Way ’26
You’ll be pleased to know plans are already underway for Sell Your Way to the USA 2026. You, too, can snag a fam spot to level up your USA know-how and sales!
“We’re excited to build on the success of 2025 with even more opportunities for advisors in 2026,” says Corey Marshall. “The program showcases the critical role of travel advisors in promoting U.S. destinations.”
Stay tuned for more details in early 2026!
This article was brought to you by Canuckiwi, Brand USA, American Airlines, Qantas, Destination DC, Grapevine Convention & Visitors Bureau, Oklahoma Tourism, Travel Nevada, Utah Office of Tourism, and Visit Anchorage.
