Fred Dixon Named New President and CEO of NYC & Company

March 16, 2014

Transitioning from his role as interim president and CEO of NYC & Company, Fred Dixon has been named the city convention and visitors bureau’s new president and CEO.

Dixon will replace George Fertitta, who stepped down Jan. 1 after joining the bureau in 2006.

“Fred’s been such a star since he joined New York City & Company,” said New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio. “And I don’t know about you; the Southern charm definitely works … As I’ve spent time with him, I became as convinced as everyone on the board that this was the right man to lead the future of this great organization.”

With over 23 years of experience in the travel industry, Dixon has the overall responsibility for developing and implementing New York City’s tourism and convention development strategy internationally, as well as in domestic leisure and business markets.

At NYC & Company, where he has served as executive vice president of market development, he has built a professional sales and marketing team that is at the core of the organization’s strategy to increase visitation and increase economic impact across the city, according to bureau officials.

Joining NYC & Company in 2005, Dixon led the bureau’s focus on emerging global markets rapidly expanding the City’s presence from six traditionally strong origin markets to 18 offices covering 25 countries in just over two years.

The period from 2005 to 2013 has seen a 68 percent increase in international visitation from 6.8 million to 11.4-plus million a year, more than 1½ times faster than the US as a whole.

Economic activity as a result of international visitor spending is rising faster than the economy overall and reached $18 billion in 2013, a 68 percent increase since 2005.

The total economic contribution of the industry is now over $55 billion annually, supporting over 370,000 jobs and contributing $3.5-plus billion to local taxes.

Dixon has served on several boards, including National Tour Association (NTA), Tourism Cares, Student & Youth Travel Association (SYTA), US Travel Association/IPW Planning Committee and was the City’s appointment to the Board of the Javits Center Operating Corporation.

Prior to joining NYC & Company, Dixon served in key positions at the Nashville Convention & Visitors Bureau, Planet Hollywood International, The Biltmore Estate, the Gatlinburg Convention & Visitors Bureau, Delta Airlines and Group Sales Box Office.

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