June 27, 2012

For immediate release

Susan Santo named new Go Wichita President/CEO

(Wichita, Kan.) - Go Wichita Convention & Visitors Bureau is pleased to announce the hiring of Susan Santo as the organization's new president and chief executive officer.

Santo is most recently director of travel industry sales at Universal Studios Hollywood. She started at Universal in 1994 as a tour guide and now leads a team of 300 and manages a $30 million budget. She also serves as board chair for the California Travel Association.

A nationwide search identified seven candidates who were interviewed by an 11-member community selection committee. Two finalists were then interviewed by the Go Wichita executive board, which made the final selection. 

Santo is expected to join Go Wichita on Aug. 13, 2012.

Santo replaces John Rolfe, who left Go Wichita to become chief operations officer for the Greater Houston Convention & Visitors Bureau.

"Susan has a very outgoing and positive personality," said Stephen Stewart, Go Wichita board chair. "We were looking for someone with the necessary qualities that could lead Go Wichita into an exciting, next phase of success for the future."

Santo is a graduate of the University of Kansas with a bachelor's of science degree in business administration. The Salina, Kan., native is married to Frank and they have a three-year-old daughter Sophia.

NOTE TO MEDIA: Stephen Stewart is available for interviews. He can be reached at the Hyatt Regency Wichita, 316.613.6215.

 # # #