Visit Wichita has promoted Marisa Pechanec to Vice President of Convention Sales, recognizing her leadership and continued contributions to growing Wichita’s meetings and conventions business.

Pechanec has grown her career at Visit Wichita since joining the organization in 2020, advancing from Convention Sales Coordinator to Convention Sales Manager and, most recently, Director of Convention Sales in 2025. During her time as director, Pechanec has focused on building the convention sales team and developing a more strategic approach to pursuing future business while supporting the team’s efforts to secure significant convention wins for Wichita, including SAMPE, the American Jail Association and the American Baptist Association.

“Marisa has demonstrated tremendous growth as a leader and has played an important role in strengthening our convention sales efforts,” said Susie Santo, president and CEO of Visit Wichita. “She understands both what meeting planners need and what Wichita can deliver, and she has helped build a team and strategy focused on bringing impactful meetings and conventions to our city. We’re excited to have her take on this expanded leadership role and help guide the future of convention sales for Wichita.”

As Vice President of Convention Sales, Pechanec will oversee the department’s long-term strategy and direction, team development and industry and community partnerships while remaining closely connected to clients and the sales process. She will also help evaluate how Wichita can continue investing in its meeting and convention product to remain competitive as destinations across the country pursue group business.

That strategy includes building on Wichita’s advantages as a meeting destination. The city offers flexible space for groups of varying sizes, a central location that makes gathering attendees easier and an overall cost that helps planners do more with their budgets. Visit Wichita’s convention sales and services teams work as an extension of a planner’s team, providing personalized support before and during an event. Groups can also take advantage of distinctive offsite experiences throughout Wichita, giving attendees opportunities to connect with the destination beyond the meeting room.

“I’m excited to continue strengthening our strategy, sales efforts and partnerships while thinking about what Wichita needs to do to remain competitive for future business,” said Pechanec. “I’m looking forward to supporting the efforts to grow the conventions and meetings we bring to Wichita and positioning our destination for even more opportunities in the future.”

For Pechanec, the promotion also marks another step in a career that has grown alongside Visit Wichita’s convention sales efforts.

“Professional growth is always personally meaningful but having the opportunity to grow from Coordinator to Manager to Director and now Vice President within the same organization says a lot about Visit Wichita’s culture and the support I’ve received from our leadership,” Pechanec said. “I’m especially excited to now lead people in some of the same roles I’ve held and hopefully help create opportunities for them to grow in their own careers.”

Prior to Visit Wichita, Pechanec held several hospitality and sales roles, including event sales at Kansas Star Casino and catering sales manager at DoubleTree by Hilton Wichita Airport. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Communication from The College of New Jersey.

For more information about planning a meeting or convention in Wichita, go to VisitWichita.com/meeting-planners.

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About Visit Wichita
Visit Wichita markets the greater Wichita area as a premier convention, sports and tourism destination, increasing travel and tourism as a key economic driver for the city, county, region and state. Wichita was named the Best Sports-Event Host City by SportsTravel magazine, a national recognition that highlights the city’s proven success in hosting high-caliber sporting events with world-class venues, seamless operations and strong community support. Visit Wichita is led by President and CEO Susie Santo, and in 2024 travel and tourism contributed more than $1.5 billion in economic impact to the greater Wichita area. For more information, visit VisitWichita.com.