Delta Air Lines, the official airline of Atlanta United and Mercedes-Benz Stadium, is being joined by Atlanta United’s goalkeeper Brad Guzan and captain Michael Parkhurst to host Travel Goals. It was a full-day of interactive skills challenge to engage team supporters and media. Travel Goals celebrated Delta’s relationship with the team and its robust network of travel destinations from Atlanta.
The Travel Goals sweepstakes had close to 200 participants ranging from randomly selected entries along with Delta employees and customers. Hundreds of people submitted entries but only 120 participants were randomly chosen to partake in the sweepstakes. The Delta employees were selected by managers and their colleagues to participate in the contest. Delta’s sponsorship of Atlanta United and the stadium was described as a way to “capitalize on our partnership with Atlanta United,” by Delta Air Lines Senior Vice President of Global Sales, Bob Somers.
Delta Airlines is headquartered in Atlanta itself and also are sponsors for local teams the Atlanta Braves, Hawks and Falcons. The airline sponsors all of Atlanta’s major professional sports teams and carries the Falcons on charter flights. The Major League Soccer has strict limits on the amount of charter flights teams can take, which means many travel commercially with fans and people alike.
Parkhurst stated that the flies on Delta most of the time and that “they’re synonymous with Atlanta United now.”
Mercedes-Benz’s pitch was covered in a world map of key destinations including; New York, Los Angeles, London, Rome, Buenos Aires, Johannesburg and Seoul. Fans stepped up to the starting platform, which was Atlanta, and took aim to the large-scale targets. Each participant had 3 attempts to score a goal and become a recipient of a travel opportunity.
Dozens of participants won flights with helpful tips provided by both Guzan and Parkhurst on taking their shots. Difficulties ranged with nearby destinations having smaller targets but farther destinations having larger target space. Accuracy and power backing each kick for some while others found themselves quite lucky with their shots. The most frequent destinations scored and received appeared to be both New York and London.
Atlanta United fans not only had the opportunity to meet two of the team’s player but also a third one when Josef Martinez joined in. Brad Guzan, Michael Parkhurst and Josef Martinez were all voted onto the roster for the upcoming 2018 MLS All-Star Game against the Juventus Football Club on Wednesday August 1st.
For more information on upcoming games for Atlanta United visit their website at www.atlutd.com or keep up with them on social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.
For more information on how to take a flight with Delta visit their website at www.delta.com or follow them on social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.
Axel Martinez contributed to this article.
