“Say hello to all my friends in Canada.” They were the last words Donna Cordle-Gray said to me when we parted at World Travel Market in November. They were always Donna’s last words in recent years when we said goodbye.

Donna, who, as long-time tourism executive for the state of Missouri, was a true friend to Canada – and many in the industry here – died suddenly on Christmas Day.

Missouri has been awol for awhile in Canada, but Donna was always looking to find new money in an era of budget cuts to help promote tourism to the state in this country. During the oughts she led famous missions to Toronto, one memorable one at the Sutton Place Hotel in 2009 featuring singer Debby Boone, who serenaded trade guests with her hit song “You Light Up My Life,” and told stories of growing up in the state.

In the years since, Donna could always be counted on by Canadians and others to stationed at a Missouri table on the trade show circuit, including WTM and IPW, and thinking of her friends up north. Alas, they must now bid her farewell.

The following notice was posted by the Missouri Travel Alliance on Dec. 27:

Tourism Professional Donna Cordle-Gray Passes Away Unexpectedly

Missouri’s tourism family is dealing with the loss of a long-time leader and friend, Donna Cordle-Gray, who passed away unexpectedly on Christmas Day. Beth Mead, President of Missouri Travel Alliance’s Board of Directors, noted that “Missouri’s travel industry has lost one of its true champions and Missouri Travel Alliance has lost one of its dearest friends. On behalf of all of our Board, our members and staff, we extend our deepest condolences to Donna’s family and numerous friends.”

Over her 30 years in Missouri’s tourism industry Donna not only played an integral role in developing Missouri as a domestic and international group travel destination, but she also served as a mentor to travel professionals throughout the state and was widely recognized as an expert in group travel marketing. Her efforts were recognized in 2017 when she was inducted into the Missouri Tourism Hall of Fame.

“Donna was a true professional, and she was highly respected in the industry for both her knowledge and commitment to Missouri tourism,” said long-time friend Renee Eichelberger, director of leisure travel sales for the St. Louis Convention and Visitors Commission. “Anyone working in the group travel industry has benefited from the knowledge which she shared freely, and she helped Missouri mold its reputation as a top travel destination. She impacted the lives of so many. It was a pleasure to know and work with her, and she will truly be missed. We have lost one of the best.”

Donna began her career in the late 1980s as Director of Sales for the Park Place Hotel, later moving to Station Casino (now Ameristar) where she was instrumental in developing the casino’s marketing plan. In 1997, she was contracted by the Missouri Division of Tourism to coordinate the state’s group travel marketing efforts, a program she continued to manage. She also crafted an international identity for Missouri that is still recognized today.

In addition to building Missouri’s group travel identity, Donna created the Missouri Bank Travel Exchange on behalf of Missouri Travel Council in 2007, offering Missouri destinations, attractions and lodging suppliers with a cost-effective opportunity to market directly to travel club directors from Missouri and neighboring states.

“She taught all of us so much,” said another long-time friend, Glenda Kerr, who took over MBTE management when Donna stepped back following the event’s 10th anniversary in 2016. “She was there for me professionally and personally anytime I needed her, and I know there are countless others who can say the same thing. We will miss her.”

Donna was elected President of Missouri Travel Council in 1998 and chaired and served on numerous state and regional travel industry committees. She was instrumental in creating Grand Central USA, a four-state marketing organization that focused on attracting niche markets to the partner states of Missouri, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Kansas.