New York, NY (December 13, 2005) - NYC & Company Chairman Jonathan Tisch and President Cristyne L. Nicholas are proud to announce the hiring of Fred Dixon as Vice President of Tourism Development. Mr. Dixon, a travel professional with over a decade of experience in the industry, will have responsibility for marketing New York City as a premier travel destination to international and domestic retail and wholesale leisure travelers, as well as incentive travel planners.

Prior to joining NYC & Company, Mr. Dixon served in key positions at the Nashville Convention and Visitors Bureau, Planet Hollywood in New York, the Biltmore Company, the Gatlinburg Convention and Visitors Bureau (Tennessee), and most recently as Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Group Sales Box Office/BestOfBroadway.com.  At Group Sales Box Office/BestOfBroadway.com, one of New York City's leading theatre ticket brokerage companies, Mr. Dixon developed marketing, branding and sales campaigns and created a new tour and travel department that reached domestic and international markets. Additionally, he developed new marketing alliances with New York tour suppliers to expand awareness of the company's new initiatives, and co-produced promotional events and Broadway branded shows at industry meetings, including Travel Industry Association of America's (TIA) Pow Wow.   

During his career in the travel industry, Mr. Dixon, a graduate of the University of Tennessee, also served in key sales positions in Tennessee, including the Director of Tourism Sales at the Nashville Convention and Visitors Bureau. There, he managed the sales activities of staffs located in Nashville and two European offices.  During his tenure at the Nashville CVB, Mr. Dixon created a "Grand New Nashville" campaign, the largest partnership between the American Automobile Association (AAA) and a single destination. 

Jonathan Tisch, chairman of NYC & Company said, "We are delighted to welcome Fred to the NYC & Company team.  His vast experience, enthusiasm and dedication to the travel industry will be a strong asset in helping us attract more visitors to New York City."

Cristyne L. Nicholas, president and CEO of NYC & Company, said, "Fred Dixon's experience, coupled with his enthusiasm in creating new and exciting programs to attract new visitors to New York City from around the globe, will be a tremendous benefit to NYC & Company. With Fred's knowledge and past success, he will shine a bright spotlight on the many wonderful attributes our great city has to offer to the rest of the world."

Among Mr. Dixon's specific responsibilities will include:

• Handling marketing responsibilities for domestic and international tour operators, retailers and wholesalers; domestic and international incentive travel planners; and international conference and meeting planners.

• Developing and executing a comprehensive sales action plan for new group leads and bookings. 

• Coordinating international and domestic tourism tradeshow participation.

  www.nycvisit.com
212-484-1222.