TORONTO — Discover America Canada’s annual U.S. Thanksgiving and holiday social was especially poignant this year, as the industry came together at the Radisson Blu Toronto Downtown to honour the life and legacy of Casey Canevari.

Typically a festive kickoff to the holiday season, the Dec. 4 gathering became a heartfelt celebration of a man whose energy, warmth and passion for the travel industry left a lasting imprint on both sides of the border. Colleagues, friends, and industry partners gathered for cocktails, light bites and shared memories – many dressed in shades of purple in honour of epilepsy awareness, a cause now closely linked to Casey’s memory.

“Casey was more than a colleague. He was a friend to everyone,” said VoX International’s President (and DAC President) Susan Webb. “From the moment he joined our Canadian travel world, he took the industry by storm. He lived with passion, heart, and joy – and he brought out the good in everyone he met.”

Guests were visibly moved as Casey’s wife, Christine Canevari, travelled from Boston to be part of the evening. “I just want to thank you for being his extended family,” she said, addressing the room. “The way he felt about all of you… it went beyond work. He was proud of what he was building here in Canada. He loved this industry – it wasn’t just his career, it was his life.”

Casey served as Brand USA’s representative in Canada and was widely credited with reinvigorating U.S. destination marketing in this key international market. His strategic mind and magnetic personality quickly elevated Canada as a top priority for U.S. destinations post-pandemic, earning him admiration and affection across the travel trade.

U.S. Consul General Baxter Hunt reflected on Casey’s transformative impact. “Before the pandemic, Canadian travellers were often taken for granted. Casey changed that. He was a charismatic problem solver – committed to understanding the needs of the market and delivering results,” he said. “He made people believe in the potential of the U.S.-Canada travel relationship again.”

Among Casey’s accomplishments was the wildly successful Brand USA Canada Connect trade mission, which sold out in just 36 hours. He also spearheaded a first-of-its-kind activation at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival, bringing U.S. destinations to the forefront of Toronto’s globally recognized cultural event.

Raina Williams, one of the event’s key organizers and Expedia Group representative, delivered a moving tribute on behalf of the board.

“Casey wasn’t just an honorary Canadian—he was a part of our community,” she said. “He made things happen that many of us thought were impossible. He didn’t just elevate the U.S. brand in Canada – he elevated people. He had that kind of magic.”

As the evening drew to a close, the room was full of emotion, and purpose. Casey’s legacy will live on not only through stories and memories, but through action, and at the heart of that commitment is the Canevari Memorial Fund (www.canevarimf.com/donate). In its first three years, the fund will support college savings for Casey’s three sons. Beyond that, the fund will evolve into an annual scholarship supporting students pursuing careers in hospitality and tourism, ensuring Casey’s passion for the industry continues to inspire the next generation.

The night ultimately became a gathering of shared grief and joyful remembrance – stories swapped over sliders and charcuterie, purple worn proudly, and a few bourbon toasts raised in Casey’s honour. It was an evening filled with the same warmth, humour and heart that he brought into every room.