Travel Nevada Names 24 Specialist Challenge Winners

Winning advisors from Australia, New Zealand and Canada will visit Nevada on six itineraries in December.

Updated on Nov. 1, 2026 in Australia and New Zealand

Wide view of a high-desert basin with a dirt road running toward dry mountain ranges and sagebrush under late-afternoon light. — Travel Nevada named 24 advisors from Australia, New Zealand and Canada as winners of its Nevada Specialist Challenge, with six December itineraries. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Travel Nevada has named 24 winners of its Nevada Specialist Challenge, including 12 Australians, three New Zealanders and nine Canadians. The winners will take part in trips running from 3-9 December across six separate itineraries.

Why it matters

The program was designed to give travel advisors a reason to invest in destination knowledge and experience Nevada first-hand. Winning advisors are expected to return with their own stories and fresh ideas for selling the state to clients.

The 24 winners were split across six itineraries running 3-9 December, with 12 from Australia, three from New Zealand and nine from Canada. The announcement does not disclose total applicant numbers, so the selection rate is unknown.

The players

Travel Nevada

Travel Nevada is the official destination marketing organization for the state of Nevada, promoting tourism to visitors and the travel trade.

The details

Front-line advisors who were not already Nevada Specialists had to complete three steps to enter the challenge. Existing Nevada Specialists could apply to host one of the trips.

3-9 December: Winning advisors' Nevada trips take place.
1 November 2026: Travel Nevada announces the 24 winners.

Destination Training Programs

Travel Nevada's Nevada Specialist program uses hosted trips to build advisor expertise, and this challenge extends that model to advisors across Australia, New Zealand and Canada. The approach puts the state's own specialist credential at the center of its international trade outreach.

Travelers booking through advisors in Australia, New Zealand and Canada may see Nevada-focused recommendations from these newly certified specialists. Clients planning Nevada trips can ask their advisor about destination expertise gained through the challenge.

The takeaway

Advisors who gain firsthand destination experience are better positioned to tailor Nevada itineraries for their clients. Travelers can ask whether their advisor has completed destination training before booking.