Sean Dixon to Become President and CEO of Visit Colorado Springs

Sean Dixon will be the next president and CEO of Visit Colorado Springs, the organization announced this week.

Dixon has been the president of Visit Topeka since 2020, where he led destination marketing and tourism development. Before that he was the marketing director for the Springfield, Missouri Convention & Visitors Bureau. He will assume his new role next month and succeed Doug Price, who is retiring in November.

“We are thrilled to welcome Sean Dixon as the new CEO of Visit COS,” said Visit COS Board Chair Michelle Talarico. “Throughout the search process, he stood out for his strategic vision, collaborative leadership style and genuine enthusiasm for our community. We look forward to partnering with him to strengthen our tourism economy and continue sharing the remarkable story of Colorado Springs and the Pikes Peak Region.”

Executive recruitment firm SearchWide Global led the hiring process. Dixon has two degrees from Missouri State University, a bachelor’s in mass media and a master’s in communication.

“I’m thrilled to join Visit Colorado Springs and for my family to become part of this community,” said Dixon. “Throughout this process, I’ve been inspired by the pride people take in Colorado Springs and the Pikes Peak Region and by their enthusiasm for what’s ahead. I’m grateful for the board’s trust and excited to build on Doug Price’s legacy alongside a talented team and dedicated partners. I look forward to getting to know the people who make this region special and working together to create opportunities through tourism.”

As part of his role in Colorado Springs, Dixon will be charged with bringing more sports events to the region. While in Topeka, he was instrumental in having Visit Topeka sponsor the drag racing car of Travis Shumake in 2022 when Shumake became the first openly gay driver on the NHRA circuit at the 2022 Menards NHRA Nationals.

ST Podcast: Travis Shumake and Sean Dixon on teaming up for a milestone sports event

Last month, Colorado Springs was announced as the site for the inaugural World Lacrosse Sixes Championships, to take place in 2027, one year before that version of the sport debuts in the Olympic Summer Games.

“Sean has been a tremendous leader for Visit Topeka and an outstanding advocate for our community,” said Molly Howey, CEO of the Greater Topeka Partnership. “Over the past six years, he has helped strengthen Topeka’s tourism industry, elevate our destination’s profile and build a strong foundation for future growth. While we are certainly sad to see him leave, we are excited for this next chapter in his career and wish him continued success in Colorado Springs.”