HIGHLY respected and
admired industry
influencer, Laurie
Wilkinson, died on Friday,
July 7.
Laurie filled big shoes. He
was not only respected for
his professional prowess,
but also loved for the heart
he put in the industry. Past
president of Asata, Laurie
was the co-owner with his
wife, Mary, of Sure Travel
Studio since 1991. He was
a board member of Sure
Holdings Pty Ltd from 2007-
2016 and sat as a chairman
on that board from 2006-
2016.
He and Mary
never missed an
industry event,
says ceo of Sure
Travel, Vanya
Lessing. “Laurie
was a legend in
the industry and
was available to
guide, assist and
support – I could
always rely on
him,” she says.
“He was a fantastic,
humble guy who would never
hesitate to help,” says md
of Sure Viva Travels, David
Pegg.
The trade has lost a giant
who gave so much to the
industry he loved, not for
personal gain but because
it was the right
thing to do, says
Gordon Wilson,
president and
ceo of Travelport.
“His influence
on me was more
profound than
I probably ever
told him and I
became a better
businessman
and person as
a result of knowing him,”
he says. Ceo of Asata,
Otto de Vries, says Laurie
played an instrumental
role in the development
of the association and
always showed immense
commitment to the
industry.
Here’s to Laurie, the legend
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