Father’s Day turned into a family affair when Visit Anaheim brought a playful slice of Southern California to Sydney at the weekend.
The organisation hosted travel trade and media partners – together with their dads, families, friends and dogs – at Chuck & Son’s Brewing Co.
Held ahead of the Visit California Australia Trade and Media Mission, the afternoon swapped a traditional industry function for food, drinks and games.
The gathering gave guests a chance to share the welcoming spirit of Anaheim and celebrate Father’s Day with family and tourism friends.
The event also gave local partners a first look at Visit Anaheim’s new Made to Play destination brand.
Launched in July, the positioning captures the energy created when Anaheim’s globally recognised attractions, sport, live entertainment, local neighbourhoods, dining and creative culture come together.
“We spend so much of our working lives together as an industry, so it felt right to create an event where the people – and pets – who are part of our lives could join us too,” said Michael Cassis, Visit Anaheim’s Australian representative.
“Anaheim was founded for families and the Sunday Sesh let us bring that idea to life in a way that was warm, relaxed and genuinely fun. It was also the perfect setting to show our Australian partners what Made to Play means: a destination where shared experiences and unexpected moments belong in every itinerary.”
Australia remains a key international market for Anaheim, with the timing of the event providing an opportunity to thank industry partners for their support while sharing a fresh destination story and new reasons to sell and storytell about Anaheim as a key part of any Southern California holiday.
“Australian travellers already have a strong connection with Anaheim, and our opportunity is to keep building on that familiarity by showing just how much choice the destination now offers,” said Michael Young, Visit Anaheim Director, Tourism Development.
The trade mission runs across Sydney and Melbourne until September 11, with trade events, business appointments and media sessions designed to strengthen Australian relationships and generate new product, partnership and storytelling opportunities.
Main image: Left to right: Michael Young, Visit Anaheim Director, Tourism Development; Bre Flores, Visit Anaheim Communications Manager, Mel Newton and Michael Cassis, Visit Anaheim In-Market Representatives. Picture courtesy Brayden Smith, BCS Imaging
