Visit Wichita has promoted one of the organization’s existing team members, Jessica Buettgenbach, to sports events manager.
Buettgenbach joined Visit Wichita in 2014 as a sales coordinator before being promoted to partnership services manager in 2020. As sports events manager, she will help organize and operate sporting events hosted by Visit Wichita and will contribute to the sports team’s efforts to bring new and support recurring sporting events to the city – all of which increases local economic impact. Other members of the team include Josh Howell, vice president of sports development; Jessica Viramontez, senior sports sales manager; and Zach Blessant, sports coordinator.
“Sports are thriving in Wichita, and we’re thrilled to add Jessica to this team to assist in attracting even more sporting events to the city and most importantly, ensuring they run smoothly,” said Howell. “She has already proven her capabilities, organizing one major sporting event this year – the NAIA 2023 Men’s National Championship – and there are several more big-time events we are hosting in the coming months that she will take the lead in operating.”
Later this month, Visit Wichita will host the National Wheelchair Basketball Association’s 2023 Junior and Adult National Championship Series and in July, the city will be the host of US Youth Soccer’s 2023 Presidents Cup. Combined with other sporting events set to take place in Wichita later this year like the Military Basketball Association’s National Championship, The Basketball Tournament (TBT) regional rounds, National Junior College Athletic Association’s DI Men’s & Women’s Soccer Championships and the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics’ Men’s Soccer Championship, the events are estimated to bring millions of dollars in economic impact to the Wichita area.
She graduated from Kansas State University with a degree in Hospitality and has enjoyed her nearly 10-year tenure working for Visit Wichita to elevate the city as a must-experience Midwest destination. In 2016, she achieved the distinction of CMP (Certified Meeting Professional). The foremost certification available for meeting and event professionals, the CMP designation recognizes those who have demonstrated their proficiency through a combination of education, experience and passing a rigorous exam. CMPs are considered the leading experts in the global meetings, conventions and exhibitions industry.
“I am excited to be a part of the incredible sports team at Visit Wichita. I love planning events, so it’s enthralling to step into a new role in which event coordination and execution is my focus. Plus, I’m passionate about sports so I look forward to learning more and honing my craft in the sporting industry,” said Buettgenbach. “It is also very rewarding to be in a position to help create memories for the athletes who compete in our vibrant city.”
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About Visit Wichita
Visit Wichita markets the greater Wichita area as a major convention and tourism destination, thereby enhancing the economic development of the city, county, region and state. Visit Wichita is led by president and CEO Susie Santo, and in 2021 travel and tourism contributed nearly $1.1 billion in economic impact to the greater Wichita area. For more information, go to VisitWichita.com.