In memoriam: “She was an icon”: The travel industry remembers Sue Urie

The travel industry has lost an individual who was known for her genuine personality and ability to light up a room.

Sue Urie, a long-time business solutions manager at Travel Leaders Network (TLN) in Western Canada, sadly and unexpectedly passed away of natural causes on Friday (Dec. 13). She was 70.

A dear friend and colleague to many, Urie “touched so many lives,” read a statement issued Sunday night (Dec. 15) by TLN, where Urie had worked since 2006.

“Many of you may remember celebrating a big milestone with her just last year—our 200th owners and managers mixer event, which Sue led with such dedication and grace,” TLN said.  “She touched so many lives, and her warmth, commitment and contributions will be deeply missed by everyone who had the privilege of knowing her.”

In a statement, Christine James, vice-president, Canada at TLN, said: “Sue’s unwavering commitment to her members was evident to all who knew her.”

“Sue was passionate about her work and proud of her career spanning almost two decades,” James said. “She always went above and beyond for her members, and they truly appreciated all her efforts. There's no doubt that Sue will be missed by all her colleagues and friends.”

John Lovell, president of Travel Leaders Network, added: “I am saddened at Sue’s passing and will be forever grateful to Sue for her dedication and service to our company, and for that, I will always be appreciative of her impact here. The Travel Leaders Network family offers our thoughts, prayers and support to the Urie family at this time.”

“I will always remember her laugh”

Urie, who was based in Richmond, B.C., worked for major airlines and tour companies since the mid-1970s. According to her profile on LinkedIn, she was someone who would proudly “eat, sleep, breathe the tourism industry.”

Prior to the Travel Leaders Network, Urie worked at Signature Vacations and Canada 3000.

Fatima DaSilva, a regional sales and marketing manager at Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, knew Urie during her Canada 3000 days and worked alongside her through all the years that followed.

“I will always remember her laugh and us laughing about our chats about life,” DaSilva told PAX. “I will miss her phone calls or emails asking me why I didn’t sign up for her mixers. She was an icon in our industry and will be missed so much. Next time I’m in a hotel lobby or an airport lounge, I will have a beer in her honour.”

Shane Buksh, director of trade sales at Four Seasons Yachts, said “Sue was truly dedicated to what she did.”

“She took pride in her relationships within the industry, and of course, her famous mixers,” he said. “Her infectious and recognizable laugh will be greatly missed. Anyone who knew Sue knows how genuine of a person she was. There will not be another like Sue.”

Sean Russo, sales manager for Canada at Virgin Voyages, said his favourite memory of Sue was her “incredible thoughtfulness and the way she always made you feel special.”

“Every year for my birthday, she would take me out for a celebratory dinner at the Flying Beaver in YVR—a tradition that meant so much to me,” Russo said. 

Flemming Friisdahl, founder of The Travel Agent Next Door, which joined Travel Leaders in 2021, had the pleasure of working alongside Sue for many years, from the tour operator side and then from the travel agency side.

“I am very sad to hear what happened with her passing,” Friisdahl said. “And it came as a great surprise as she was quite young and had so much life in her. Our agents also got to know her quite well from all the road shows we did with her through TLN. My heart goes out to her family and friends and the TLN family. She was an important part of that organization.”

Jeff Carpenter, a strategic account manager for Western Canada at Royal Caribbean, remembers Urie’s infectious energy.

“Sue Urie always lit up a room!” Carpenter told PAX. “If you didn't see her, you could hear her.”

When Carpenter started in sales, his very first event was one of Urie’s famous TLN Mixers in Western Canada.

“It was clear from day one to see how much love she had for her members, how much support she had for her preferred suppliers, and how much respect she had in the travel industry,” Carpenter said.

“We often would go for a Corona after an event and share stories and endless laughs. I will miss that contagious laugh of hers, but even more so, her friendship.”

Carpenter went on to say that Urie “was an amazing soul.”

“I'm thankful for spending a few days with her this past summer on Utopia of the Seas, and just recently, I had one last visit at her home, where she was still her funny and witty self,” he said.

“Rest easy, my friend. Until we meet again.”

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