It was only day two of the USA’s annual international tourism showcase & delegates were already taken away by the excitement of it, particularly a surprise performance from hitmaker Natasha Bedingfield.
Brand USA shut down Downtown Anaheim early Sunday morning to greet hundreds of media delegates who’ll spend the next three days discovering America’s many tourism assets at this year’s IPW19 in Anaheim, California.
IPW, for those out of the loop, is a yearly tourism showcase organised by Visit USA which sees thousands of tourism professionals from around the world meet in America for a five-day US rundown.
Visit USA kicked off the massive event on Saturday night with an invitation-only party for Australian and Kiwi delegates, and then Brand USA backed up the fun on Sunday with a street full of entertainment, food, games and award-winning talent.
Literally, a street full.
It felt like one big family as busloads of journalists walked through Downtown Anaheim, particularly because a local choir was filling the street with a stunning rendition of the Sister Sledge classic, We Are Family, as attendees posed alongside the Batmobile.
Cartoon characters were next in line to see media, including Snoopy and Linus of the Peanut Family who were there on behalf of Knott’s Berry Farm.
Elmo giggled with visitors at the SeaWorld stand, while friendly wolves could be found around the Great Wolf Lodge’s area.
Around halfway down the street, a local jazz band had attendees tapping and grooving to Bruno Mars’ Finesse, and The Citadel Outlets had people going head-to-head in a hilarious (and surprisingly easy) game of ‘The Price is Right’ for the chance to win $10,000 worth of prizes.
There was a flying fox for anyone feeling daring enough for a short adventure and beach babes that really delivered those California feels.
A dozen food vendors delivered local California flavours straight to delegates’ mouths and there was even a chance to pasta-making live.
But of course, the highlight was a surprise performance from the incredibly talented Natasha Bedingfield who left attendees starstruck with stripped down performances of her hit songs, Pocketful of Sunshine, Unwritten and These Words.
That was all just the start of the day.
IPW19 runs from 1-5 June at the Anaheim Convention Centre where tourism delegates from around the world will meet with hundreds of US suppliers and operators.
The leading international inbound travel trade show is expected to drive $4.7 billion in future travel to the USA.
KARRYON is in attendance, so keep an eye for live updates as well as pictures from Disneyland’s newest land – Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.
READ THE LATEST US NEWS FROM IPW…
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