#HatsOffToBruce: Tribute to Bruce Slade happening on social media today (Jan. 27)

A tribute to the late, great Bruce Slade is happening on social media today (Wed., Jan. 27) and members of the travel industry are encouraged to get involved. 

Slade, who was a business development manager at Huntington Travel, sadly passed away on Sunday, Dec. 27, 2020, after having being diagnosed with cancer. He was 62.

Bruce’s devotion to the travel industry, and travel agents, will forever be remembered, and in honour of his life and contributions, a special social media campaign has been organized.

How to participate

On Wednesday, January 27, 2021, exactly one month after Bruce’s passing, members of the travel industry, in addition to Bruce’s friends and family, are encouraged to post a black and white photo of themselves wearing a hat (a trademark Bruce was so well-known for) alongside the dedicated hashtag #HatsOffToBruce.

Participants are encouraged to tag five other industry friends to follow suit and post any other photos they may have of dear Bruce.

The goal is to flood social media as a way of paying respects to a wonderful individual and commemorating appreciation for Bruce's loyalty and friendship over the years.

“Losing such a wonderful industry colleague and friend during the holidays so quickly after being diagnosed with a terminal illness was devastating news and hard for many of us,” said VoX’s Denise Graham, an account manager for Experience Kissimmee and organizer of the tribute  “Bruce was a huge supporter of VoX International and could always be counted on to represent Huntington Travel at all of our client events, and many others throughout the industry.”

READ MORE: “An exceptional individual”: Canada’s travel industry remembers Bruce Slade

VoX felt it was important to honour Bruce, via social media, to celebrate the wonderful memories and positive impact he had on people.  

“Losing Bruce reminds us all that life is short,” said Graham. “To always be thankful and never take anything, or anyone, for granted.  The old saying, ‘There’s always tomorrow,’ couldn’t be any further from the truth.”

“Now, more than ever, it’s important to stay connected with old friends, even remotely.”

In a previous interview, Huntington Travel CEO Kiran Budhdev said he remembers Bruce as a “very hard working” gentleman who was physically fit, conscious of eating well and as someone who was always willing to engage in any discussion.

“He was seven days a week – he loved the business,” Budhdev said, noting how Bruce would routinely answer emails at 4:30 a.m.

“This is a loss not only to [Huntington], but also the travel industry as a whole.”

#HatsOffToBruce takes place all day today -Wednesday, January 27th - on all social media platforms (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter). 

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