Visit Topeka Names New President

 Visit Topeka and Greater Topeka Partnership announced today that Sean Dixon was hired as the next Visit Topeka President. Dixon hails from Springfield, Missouri and previously served as Marketing Director for the Springfield, Missouri Convention & Visitors Bureau.

“We continue our momentum in Topeka & Shawnee County and adding Sean to this community team will only accelerate our efforts. Sean’s background in the destination development arena will allow him to make an immediate impact,” said Matt Pivarnik, CEO of the Greater Topeka Partnership. “He is highly respected in his industry and will bring many fresh perspectives while partnering with the Visit Topeka Board, the Topeka Lodging Association, our forward-thinking elected leaders and his peers and partners within the Greater Topeka Partnership.”

Pivarnik continued, “I have admired the work that Sean and his team have done in Springfield and his dedication to destination and community development. The eight-person search committee unanimously found Sean to be an outstanding, outgoing, friendly and engaging professional. We are honored to welcome Sean and his family to Topeka.”

“I'm thrilled to be joining the incredible teams at Visit Topeka and the Greater Topeka Partnership,” Dixon said. “Throughout this hiring process, I've fallen in love with Topeka and the spirit of cooperation demonstrated by the leadership of the Partnership, the City of Topeka, the Topeka Lodging Association and others.”

Dixon possesses over a decade of destination marketing experience through the Springfield Convention & Visitors Bureau; there he worked with industry veteran Tracy Kimberlin, president of the Springfield, Convention & Visitors Bureau since 1988. Dixon received his master’s in Communication and bachelor’s in Mass Media through Missouri State University.

“It’s exciting to find the right person for this critical position, especially after an extensive search. I and the rest of the Visit Topeka Board are looking forward to working with Sean to strengthen Topeka’s tourism industry and promote the Capital City as a must-visit Midwest destination,” Dan Clarizio, Visit Topeka chair, said.

“Sean will make an excellent addition to the team,” Jessica Schenkel, vice president of Visit Topeka, said. “His past experience in the tourism and hospitality industries as well as his regional industry knowledge will lend itself perfectly to his new position.”

“I’m excited to see someone who has new ideas to bring to Topeka along with a good instinct to contribute to a community our size. His enthusiasm to join the Topeka community is endearing,” said City Councilman Spencer Duncan and chair of the Transient Guest Tax Committee.

“We’re truly excited about Sean and what he brings to the table and his sales and marketing expertise. I am looking forward to working with him.” Kurt Young, executive director of the Topeka Lodging Association, said. “I was especially moved by his positive disposition and his willing to collaborate. 

Dixon will assume his role as president of Visit Topeka in mid-July.