Presenters

Derek Byrne is the director of content strategy at Visit KC, the Kansas City area’s largest organization dedicated to tourism. He is responsible for marketing and communications efforts in support of many major sporting events hosted by Kansas City, including service on the local organizing committee for the Big 12 Basketball Championships, facilitation of the 2023 NFL Draft’s social media command center, and the expansion of KC’s international media presence in advance of FIFA World Cup 26.

Byrne’s previous experience includes communications roles at Texas A&M University and Development Counsellors International, where he supported marketing campaigns for domestic and international destinations.

He serves on the executive committee of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) Travel & Tourism section, is a graduate of Baylor University, and holds a master’s degree from the University of Missouri-Kansas City.