20 Under 40 | SEAN DIXON
Photo by JOHN BURNS
Sean Dixon is the President of Visit Topeka and oversees destination management and marketing for Topeka and Shawnee County. This includes an annual integrated marketing campaign designed to inspire overnight travel to the area, while also investing in local events and programs such as Topeka Dino Days, Topeka Music Week and Inclusive Topeka.
Under Sean’s leadership, the 2021 annual marketing generated more than 77,000 incremental trips to Topeka resulting in $33.5 million in travel-related spending. Topeka Dino Days set several records for visitation at the Topeka Zoo, Kansas Children’s Discovery Center, and the Downtown Tourist Information Center. SUE: The T.rex experience attracted more than 17,000 visits to the Great Overland Station. Recently, Sean launched the new Topeka Area Sports Commission that will help build the future of Topeka as a sports destination.
Sean is one of two representatives from Kansas that serves on the United States Civil Rights Trail. He is a board member of the Travel Industry Association of Kansas Board, and a trustee for the Topeka Performing Arts Center.
What led your to this career?
I spent the first few years of my career in television broadcasting working in production and engineering. During this time, I put myself through graduate school and completed a master’s degree in communication. Shortly after, tourism came calling. The Springfield Missouri Convention and Visitors Bureau had just created a social media management position and offered me the role. After seven years, I was leading the marketing operations for the entire company. In 2020, at the height of the pandemic, I was offered the role of President at Visit Topeka.
What is your foundation?
My family. Everything thing I do, I do because I love them and want them to have the best life possible. I work hard for Topeka because I feel that Topeka is the best place for them.
What lesson has guided your career?
I learned early on to always have a "Plan B." At the time, I had a huge presentation that required quite a bit of technical considerations. The venue simply wasn't ready to accommodate us even though they had promised they could. Luckily, I had additional support and made it work, but that was purely coincidental. Twelve years later, I never assume things are going to work out perfectly and always have a backup plan.
What word best describes you?
Dreamer. I'm always trying to look at things differently and how the system could be better. This often means that my head is in the clouds, but that is where I find my best ideas.
Click here to go to the full list of 2022 20 Under 40 Honorees.
