Visit Tri-Cities President to Resign;Search for Successor Launched

(Kennewick, WA) -- Visit Tri-Cities has announced Michael Novakovich, President & CEO of Visit Tri-Cities, has submitted his resignation to become the CEO of Columbia Industries. Novakovich will remain in his role with Visit Tri-Cities through July 1^st. The Visit Tri-Cities Board of Directors has begun the process to search for Novakovich’s replacement.

The Visit Tri-Cities Board of Directors will conduct a nationwide search, with a hiring announcement expected sometime this summer.

In Michael’s time leading Visit Tri-Cities, the organization achieved DMAP Accreditation with “Distinction” from Destinations International; earned national recognition with a Best Idea Program Outstanding Achievement Award for innovation; and the organization was recognized as a “Trailblazer” through MMGY NextFactor’s destination assessment. Michael also led the team to nearly a full recovery of annual economic impact, $489.3 million in visitor spending in 2021, following two years of successfully navigating the pandemic in arguably the most adversely impacted industry.