WICHITA, Kan.—Visit Wichita has named Spencer Olmstead sports sales manager, moving him into a sales-focused role on the organization’s sports development team. He will help attract sporting events to Wichita, which was recognized as the 2025 Best Sports-Host City at the 2025 SportsTravel Awards for its affordability, central location, facilities, and welcoming spirit.
Olmstead joined Visit Wichita in 2025 as sports coordinator and became sports event manager in January 2026. In those roles, he worked with sports rights holders, venues, volunteers, and community partners to coordinate event operations and support positive experiences for athletes, organizers, and visitors.
As sports sales manager, Olmstead will develop relationships with local, regional, and national sports stakeholders, identify event opportunities, and promote Wichita as a destination for tournaments, championships, and other sporting events.
“Spencer has proven himself to be a valuable member of our sports team, and his experience working directly with events gives him a strong foundation as he transitions into sports sales,” says Josh Howell, vice president of sports development at Visit Wichita. “He understands what rights holders need from a host destination and has seen firsthand what Wichita can deliver. We’re excited for him to pursue an area of the industry he’s passionate about while continuing to contribute to the growth of sports tourism in Wichita.”
Sporting events contribute to Wichita’s economy through hotel stays, dining, shopping, and other visitor spending. Visit Wichita’s sports development team works with rights holders to identify opportunities, develop bids, coordinate with local venues and partners, and support events in the city.
“I’m excited for the opportunity to move into sports sales and help bring more events to Wichita,” says Olmstead. “Working directly with events has given me a better understanding of what rights holders, athletes, and organizers need from a host city. I’m looking forward to using that experience to build relationships, share what Wichita has to offer, and create new opportunities for our community.”
A Wichita native, Olmstead earned a bachelor’s degree in sport management from Wichita State University. Before joining Visit Wichita, he worked at Bombardier and as a baseball operations associate for the National Baseball Congress World Series, where he managed press box operations, coordinated with teams and media, and supported event operations.
