NYC TOURISM + CONVENTIONS ANNOUNCES LEADERSHIP TRANSITION

President and CEO Fred Dixon Tapped to Lead Brand USA, the Nation’s Destination Marketing Organization, Starting in July

CMO Nancy Mammana Named Interim CEO; Search Committee Formed to Fill Role   

City Tourism Industry Continues Path of Solid Growth Contributing $74 Billion in Economic Activity and Supporting More Than 380,000 Jobs Across the Five Boroughs  

New York City (April 3, 2024) – NYC Tourism + Conventions today announced that Fred Dixon will leave his role as President and CEO in June. Dixon has been tapped to lead Brand USA, the nation’s destination marketing organization responsible for promoting the US as a premier travel destination. He will start the new role in July.  

NYC Tourism + Conventions Chief Marketing Officer Nancy Mammana has been named Interim CEO. Mammana, who has been with NYC Tourism + Conventions since 2018, including five years as CMO, led the company’s 2023 rebrand. She oversees organizational strategies touching all five boroughs of New York City, including domestic and international promotional campaigns, media strategies, digital initiatives, creative and content plans, events, partnerships, licensing and global tourism development efforts.  

Dixon will remain in the role until June 5. A search committee has been formed to lead the process of identifying and selecting a new CEO.  

“This is a bittersweet moment for NYC Tourism + Conventions and the City’s tourism industry,” said NYC Tourism + Conventions Board Chair and Shubert Organization Executive Vice President Charles Flateman. “For nearly twenty years, Fred Dixon has been synonymous with New York City tourism, the industry’s continued success and its impact on New York City. His leadership and expertise created a template for excellence in destination marketing and the team of talented individuals who make the work possible. We are thrilled beyond measure for him in this new role and know that he will always be a champion for NYC.”   

New York City continues to be a premier global travel destination, underscoring the tourism industry as an economic driver for New York City. In 2023, the City attracted more than 62 million travelers, generated over $74 billion in economic impact, and supported over 380,000 leisure and hospitality jobs. In 2025, New York City expects to welcome over 68 million travelers, exceeding pre-pandemic visitation levels and paving the runway for continued growth as the City readies to host a slate of world-class events including America250 and the FIFA World Cup 26. The rights to hold the tournament, which will be the world’s largest sports event ever held, was the result of a six-year bid process, which Dixon was instrumental in leading on behalf of the City. 

Dixon joined the organization in 2005 as Vice President of Tourism and became CEO in 2014. With more than 30 years of experience in the travel industry, he has been leading the City’s tourism, meetings and events strategy, and programming to grow business and leisure travel globally. During his tenure, international visitation has more than doubled to over 13 million travelers; this is the result of a long-term strategy to create a global network of outposts comprising sales, marketing and press professionals in diverse feeder markets including Australia, China, Mexico, Brazil and the UK. Today, New York City is represented in 17 overseas markets and active in nearly 40 locations globally.   

In the early months of the pandemic, Dixon organized the Coalition for NYC Hospitality and Tourism Recovery, which brought together industry leaders across all five boroughs to plan a path back. In July 2020, New York City Tourism + Conventions (previously NYC & Company) and the coalition published “All In NYC: The Roadmap for Tourism’s Reimagining and Recovery,” which was implemented with the support of a $30 million investment from the City of New York for recovery messaging and promotion.  

Dixon is a respected leader serving on travel industry association boards and committees. He is the current Chair of Destinations International, serves on the New York Convention Center Operating Corporation Board, the board of IGLTA, the International LGBTQ+ Travel Association, the U.S. Travel Association Executive Committee and is an Officer of the Board for the FIFA World Cup 26™ New York New Jersey Host Committee.

 About New York City Tourism + Conventions: 
New York City Tourism + Conventions is the official destination marketing organization (DMO) and convention and visitors bureau (CVB) for the five boroughs of New York City. Our mission is to invite the world and energize the City, building equitable, sustainable economic prosperity and community through tourism for the mutual benefit of residents, businesses and visitors. For all there is to do and see in New York City, visit nyctourism.com.