“A champion” for U.S. travel: Brand USA’s Casey Canevari passes away

Casey Canevari, director, global trade development for Canada at Brand USA, has suddenly passed away. He was 43. 

Brand USA’s Vice President Global Trade, Jackie Ennis, issued a statement on May 2 to say that Canevari had died in Toronto on May 1 after falling ill at an event earlier this week. 

"It is with profound sadness that we share the heartbreaking news that, despite receiving the best possible care over the last four days in Toronto, Casey never regained consciousness and passed away peacefully yesterday, surrounded by his wife, Christine, his three sons, his brother, cousin, and father-in-law," she said. "We are sharing this news with his family’s blessing, and they remain in our thoughts during this incredibly difficult time.”

"Casey was a cherished member of our team and the industry—known for his boundless energy, optimism, and genuine warmth. His passion for travel and his unwavering commitment to welcoming Canadian visitors to the USA were evident in everything he did.”

"He showed up time and again, even in recent months, never wavering in his dedication or spirit.”

"We understand how difficult this news may be, especially for those of you who knew Casey well. Our community is built on compassion, and we are here for one another. Thank you for your continued strength, care, and support during this deeply difficult time."

READ MORE: “One of the greats”: Condolences pour in following death of Brand USA’s Casey Canevari

In a statement to PAX, Brand USA extended its "heartfelt sympathies and condolences to the Canevari family and their loved ones during this deeply difficult time." 

"We will always remember Casey for his genuine warmth, his boundless passion for travel, particularly international, and unwavering commitment to Canadian-U.S. travel trade relationships," said Brand USA. "We will always remember Casey for his genuine warmth, his boundless passion for travel, particularly international, and unwavering commitment to Canadian-U.S. travel trade relationships." 

"A champion for travel to the USA"

Writing on her LinkedIn page, Susan Webb, president of VoX International and president of Discover America Canada, called Canevari “a champion for travel to the USA” who "loved Canada.”

“All of the tourism industry partners who worked with him and Brand USA will miss him personally and professionally. Our prayers go out to his lovely family who he adored and his colleagues around the globe,” she wrote.

Canevari was in Toronto this week for Brand USA’s Canada Connect event – a multi-city series of events designed to deepen the connections between Canadian travel professionals and U.S. destinations.

He was tireless in his efforts to promote U.S. tourism, whether through securing partnerships at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) or hosting Canadian travel advisors on a MegaFAM through the peaks and plains of Colorado and Wyoming.

Viktor Spysak, manager of sales and tourism partnerships at Air Canada, called the news “absolutely shocking and devastating.”

“There are no words to explain the sadness and devastation we all feel across the industry,” Spysak wrote on LinkedIn. “Casey will always be remembered and loved by all of us in the industry.”

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