New York City appoints Fred Dixon to lead tourism agency and forms business council

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has appointed Fred Dixon as the new president and CEO of NYC Tourism + Conventions, effective December 1. Dixon, who previously led the organization from 2014 to 2024, returns to the role following his tenure as president and CEO of Brand USA, where he focused on international travel promotion to the United States.

In addition to the tourism leadership change, Mayor Mamdani has unveiled a 15-member Business Advisory Council. The panel, which includes prominent figures such as RXR CEO Scott Rechler and Steiner Studios chairman Douglas Steiner, is tasked with meeting quarterly with the mayor and Deputy Mayor for Economic Justice Julie Su. The council aims to provide strategic guidance to shape the city’s economic growth across sectors like finance, technology, and life sciences.

The formation of the council has received mixed reactions. While the Mayor stated the group will help build a more dynamic economy, critics and policy analysts have noted the tension between Mamdani’s democratic socialist platform and his efforts to engage with major business leaders.