Jamaican American Power 100 2024
As Jamaica celebrates its 62nd Independence Anniversary, it is important to highlight those making huge strides to keep brand Jamaica alive.
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Meet Gary Sadler, the dynamic Executive Vice President of Sales and Industry Relations at Unique Vacations Inc., an affiliate of the worldwide representative of Sandals® Resorts and Beaches® Resorts.
With a career spanning over three decades in the travel and hospitality industry, Gary is known for his passion, charisma, and unwavering dedication to creating unforgettable vacation experiences. From humble beginnings to becoming a key player in one of the most prestigious travel companies, Gary’s journey is a testament to hard work, resilience, and a genuine love for what he does. Join us as we delve into the life and career of this remarkable leader, whose vision and commitment continue to shape the travel industry.
When we talk about divine intervention and assignment, I think of Gary Sadler. His story from his early days within the Sandals organization to becoming Executive Vice President of Sales and Industry Relations at UVI, includes losing three jobs at three different banks in corporate Jamaica.
Hailing from Kingston, he joined Sandals, admittedly knowing little about the hospitality and travel industries at the time. Gary transitioned from Entertainment to Sales within his first two years, and his hard work paid off, leading to a transfer to Canada, where he became the first Jamaican and the first male on the Canadian Operations team. His influence grew further when he moved to Vancouver, where he played a pivotal role in establishing direct flights to Jamaica.
He has been a driving force at Unique Vacations, Inc. (UVI) since 1992.
Gary attributes much of his success to the visionary leadership of Sandals Resorts founder and first chairman, Gordon ‘Butch’ Stewart, who recognized his potential and included him in the company’s broader vision.
Gary fondly recalls the immense pride he felt wearing the Sandals logo, representing a company whose founder had a unique talent for identifying individuals with exceptional skills and helping them reach their highest potential.
Gary’s career is a testament to his hard work, dedication, and the opportunities that arise when talent meets visionary leadership.
“I’ve never intentionally set out to do anything. It was never my intention to become a trendsetter. I tried my utmost to focus on what is right and what is needed.”
Despite not aiming to set trends, Gary Sadler has certainly built a reputation as a trendsetter, particularly through his work with the Certified Sandals Specialist Program. This initiative, which has become an industry standard, was designed to educate travel advisors about the unique aspects of different Caribbean islands and the Sandals and Beaches Resorts locations within each, through an ongoing process of product education, resources, and substantial sales and marketing support.
Initially launched as an in-person training series over 30 years ago, the program’s impact has been profound. Gary humbly reflects, “When 50,000 or 100,000 people thank you for something you innovated, you have to be humble because it wasn’t created for praise. It was just set out to have some fun.”
With over thirty years in the travel business, Gary emphasizes the importance of staying relevant and building strong relationships.
His advice is clear: “Make yourself relevant because it is ever-changing. You cannot survive in any industry without relationships.”
These principles have served the Sandals brands well, fostering a network of circular relationships with all travel industry stakeholders that include airlines, tour operators, tourist boards, travel agents, and salespersons, who all work together in
harmony, creating a recipe for success. Gary’s contributions have not only
advanced his career but also significantly impacted the travel industry.
Finally, in a message to Jamaica, he shared this: “I have every faith that we have an opportunity in this our 62nd anniversary to make the best for a new generation, make the best for the young people to provide the whole body for people because they really know obstacles that we can’t navigate. There is no competitive edge that we can’t become victorious. There is no sector that we have not been able to conquer. We have the ability to achieve whatever we want. All we have to do is to simply believe in ourselves because as a great national hero Marcus Garvey once said, “if you have no confidence in yourself you’re twice defeated in this race of life.”
