Travel extraordinaire and industry veteran Jon Hixon, CMP and CDME, joined Travel Portland as its senior vice president of business strategy in August. He comes from a previous position as managing director of sales at Visit Indy in Indianapolis, Indiana. In Portland, he will work closely with the convention sales and services teams to bring diverse and impactful conventions to the City of Roses.
“I have always been passionate about travel and fostering relationships, and my career has allowed me to connect people with compelling experiences that inspire them both personally and professionally,” says Hixon. “I’m excited to further put Portland on the map as a city that is committed to diversity and inclusion and offers something truly special to conventions and groups. From the natural beauty to the city’s renowned food scene, there’s so much to discover.”
Before his most recent stint in Indiana, Hixon spent time at the Arlington Convention & Visitors Bureau in Texas as vice president of sales and services; Tourism Toronto in Ontario as director of U.S. association sales; and the American Bar Association based in Chicago, Illinois, as director of meetings. “At heart, I’m a people person, a connector, and a problem solver,” Hixon adds. “I have heard it said many times that, ‘When we meet, we change the world,’ and I truly believe that. For me, the ability to help event organizers create these opportunities for their varied constituencies to do just that is very fulfilling.”
When it comes to the true Portland experiences he is most looking forward to exploring outside of work, Hixon notes the city’s hiking trails and surrounding natural green spaces in addition to its vibrant coffee scene.
travelportland.com
