Orlando loses “kind and hard-working” leader
Update:
The U.S. Travel Association and other friends from the travel industry will pay tribute to Sain on June 26 from 6:00–9:00 p.m., at Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Gary C. Sain Memorial Endowed Scholarship Fund at the University of Central Florida’s Rosen College of Hospitality Management. Those who want to contribute can pledge sponsorships, purchase tickets, buy an ad in the special program or send a contribution through the event website.
Tributes continue to pour in to Orlando for Gary Sain, president and CEO of Visit Orlando, who died suddenly and unexpectedly over the weekend. Sain, 61, has been heralded as one of the key figures to make Orlando the country’s leading family destination. Sain had been with the bureau since 2007. In 2010, Orlando became the first-ever destination in the country to welcome more than 50 million visitors.
“Gary was a kind and hard-working man for meetings and tourism,” said Newt Collinson III, founder of Collinson Media and Events. “Our industry will miss him. He led Orlando, empowered his staff, and he made a positive difference for the entire hospitality business.
“On a personal level, I lost a friend,” added Collinson. “Gary was always quick to give suggestions on our Marketplace events and compliment our magazines and editors.”
Visit Orlando Chairman and Hyatt Regency Cypress Gardens General Manager Paul Tang said in a statement, “Gary was a loving son, husband and father. Our thoughts go out to the people he most cherished, Gary’s mother Elizabeth Sain, wife Pam and daughters Vanessa Sain-Dieguez (Luis) and Olivia.”
Memorial Information from Visit Florida:
A public viewing will take place from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday, May 11 at Baldwin-Fairchild Funeral Home, and a celebration of his life and funeral will take place Saturday, May 12, at 11 a.m. at Northland Church. In lieu of flowers, the family asks for consideration of a donation to one of two scholarship funds established in Gary’s name:
UCF Rosen College of Hospitality Management
An endowed scholarship has been established in memory of Gary C. Sain at the Rosen College of Hospitality Management for students majoring in Event Management with an emphasis in Destination Management. Gary spent his entire career in the hospitality industry and was passionate about supporting students desiring the same career path. He often spoke at the College and was a member of the Dean’s advisory board.
Destination & Travel Foundation
As an expression of remembrance and sympathy, the family requests contributions to the Destination and Travel Foundation in the name of Gary Sain. A memorial fund has been established to honor Gary’s leadership and legacy in the destination marketing industry. Destination and Travel Foundation. 2025 M St. NW Ste. 500, Washington, DC 20036.
