‘I want to take you to a workout class’: Influencers are turning brand trips into exclusive real-life fan experiences

Rather than sitting at home watching your favorite influencer unbox gifts from their all-expenses-paid brand trip, now the rest of us have a chance to feel like an influencer for a day. Last week, Brandon Edelman, the same TikTok creator who recently went viral for sharing his $768,000-a-year salary, launched his very own “Bran Trip,” his version of the ubiquitous influencer brand trip. Attendees were chosen via video application using the hashtag #thebrantrip. Three of Edelman’s lucky followers and their plus-ones were then transported to their own suites at the Bellevue Hotel in Philadelphia for the weekend. The trip included tickets to a Phillies game, facials, and an IV lounge for recovery from the night before. @bran__flakezz I AM SO EXCITED #thebrantrip @Lindsay Anderson @carter @Tierra Mo’ney @Jocelyn Vargas @Drink Poppi @Beis Travel @GarnierUSA @Ferko’s Fine Jewelry @Shark Beauty @Coastal Caviar @EVRY JEWELS @@KIND Snacks @TOPICALS ♬ original sound – bran_flakezz Of course, it wouldn’t be an influencer-hosted trip without gifting from 30 different brands. This included gifted outfits from Abercrombie & Fitch, initial necklaces from Ferko’s (a Westchester-based fine jewelry company), a $349 CryoGlow LED mask from Shark, and Béis luggage to get their goodies back home, Edelman told Glossy. @bran__flakezz #thebrantrip DAY ONE SETUP!! @UrInternetBF @Lindsay Anderson @Eli Rallo @corinna carter @Tierra Mo’ney @tykiadee @Jocelyn Vargas @Alexandria @Olivia Palacio #philly #philadelphia ♬ original sound – Penny B Hollywood While influencer fan meetups are nothing new, these events have evolved from the thousands-strong gatherings of the 2010s, where excited fans queued for hours for a quick hug and a selfie with their favorite influencer. Now, influencers are inviting followers in and building community in intimate settings that align with their personal brands. “Just like some influencers have been taking their followers out for dinner, I want to take you to a workout class,” New York-based influencer Danielle Pheloung posted in April. The next month, Pheloung hosted 25 girls at the heated workout studio Fuze House in Tribeca. The event was on-brand for Pheloung, with early morning workouts a staple in her videos. After the free class, each attendee left with a bag full of items gifted by some of Pheloung’s favorite brands including Smart Sweets, Lancôme, and Ouai. @daniellephe Such a special day! Cant wait to do more of these

Jun 4, 2025 - 22:00
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‘I want to take you to a workout class’: Influencers are turning brand trips into exclusive real-life fan experiences

Rather than sitting at home watching your favorite influencer unbox gifts from their all-expenses-paid brand trip, now the rest of us have a chance to feel like an influencer for a day.

Last week, Brandon Edelman, the same TikTok creator who recently went viral for sharing his $768,000-a-year salary, launched his very own “Bran Trip,” his version of the ubiquitous influencer brand trip.

Attendees were chosen via video application using the hashtag #thebrantrip. Three of Edelman’s lucky followers and their plus-ones were then transported to their own suites at the Bellevue Hotel in Philadelphia for the weekend. The trip included tickets to a Phillies game, facials, and an IV lounge for recovery from the night before.

@bran__flakezz

I AM SO EXCITED #thebrantrip @Lindsay Anderson @carter @Tierra Mo’ney @Jocelyn Vargas @Drink Poppi @Beis Travel @GarnierUSA @Ferko’s Fine Jewelry @Shark Beauty @Coastal Caviar @EVRY JEWELS @@KIND Snacks @TOPICALS ♬ original sound – bran_flakezz

Of course, it wouldn’t be an influencer-hosted trip without gifting from 30 different brands. This included gifted outfits from Abercrombie & Fitch, initial necklaces from Ferko’s (a Westchester-based fine jewelry company), a $349 CryoGlow LED mask from Shark, and Béis luggage to get their goodies back home, Edelman told Glossy.

@bran__flakezz

#thebrantrip DAY ONE SETUP!! @UrInternetBF @Lindsay Anderson @Eli Rallo @corinna carter @Tierra Mo’ney @tykiadee @Jocelyn Vargas @Alexandria @Olivia Palacio #philly #philadelphia ♬ original sound – Penny B Hollywood

While influencer fan meetups are nothing new, these events have evolved from the thousands-strong gatherings of the 2010s, where excited fans queued for hours for a quick hug and a selfie with their favorite influencer. Now, influencers are inviting followers in and building community in intimate settings that align with their personal brands.

“Just like some influencers have been taking their followers out for dinner, I want to take you to a workout class,” New York-based influencer Danielle Pheloung posted in April. The next month, Pheloung hosted 25 girls at the heated workout studio Fuze House in Tribeca. The event was on-brand for Pheloung, with early morning workouts a staple in her videos. After the free class, each attendee left with a bag full of items gifted by some of Pheloung’s favorite brands including Smart Sweets, Lancôme, and Ouai.

@daniellephe

Such a special day! Cant wait to do more of these