Orange County Major Teresa Jacobs was brought to tears Tuesday as the County Commission took a momen to honor Gary Sain, the late president and CEO of Visit Orlando.

Sain died suddenly Friday night following a charity event. He was 61.

"Today, I'm rather disappointed that I know him as well as I do," said Jacobs, "because if I hadn't had this opportunity in the last year to spend time with him, I wouldn't know what a great loss we've all experienced."

Jacobs praised the work Sain did for Orlando and Orange County, as well as his devotion to his job.

Sain's pastor also spoke during Tuesday's commission meeting, saying a boost in local jobs was directly related to the tourism industry.

Jacobs said she regrets the community as a whole did not appreciate all the hard work Sain did.

Members of the travel industry also attended the meeting as commissioners voted to designate May 5–13 National Travel and Tourism Week.

Sain was supposed to be honored with a proclamation during Tuesday's meeting before his death. Now, Jacobs said that proclamation will be presented to Sain's wife, Pam, during his funeral service Saturday morning.

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Memorial services set

Memorial and funeral services have been announced to remember Gary Sain, the late president and CEO of Visit Orlando.

Below is the schedule for Sain's memorial services, as posted on his obituary page at Baldwin-Fairchild Funeral Homes.

  • Visitation - Friday, May 11
    • 3 p.m. – 7 p.m.
    • Baldwin Fairchild Ivanhoe Chapel
      301 N. Ivanhoe Blvd., Orlando
  • Visitation - Saturday, May 12
    • 10 a.m. – 11 a.m.
    • Northland Church
      530 Dog Track Road, Longwood
  • Funeral - Saturday, May 12
    • 11 a.m.
    • Northland Church
      530 Dog Track Road, Longwood
  • Interment - Saturday, May 12
    • Immediately following funeral
    • Palm Cemetery
      1005 N. New York Ave., Winter Park

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Search for a new leader

Visit Orlando said it will launch a nationwide search for a new leader after the death of Gary Sain last week.

Officials said that search would not begin until next week at the earliest, after Sain's funeral services.

  • Check back for the latest updates.