Tom Norwalk has been named president and CEO of the Seattle Convention and Visitors Bureau, effective July 25. Norwalk, who has served as senior vice president of sales and marketing for the SCVB since 2005, succeeds Don Welsh. Welsh resigned in June to become president at the Indianapolis Convention and Visitors Association.

In his new role, Norwalk will oversee all operations, sales and marketing, finance, budget management, and business development for the bureau. He brings 25 years of industry experience to the position, having served in various capacities at hotels, destination management companies, and the convention and visitors bureau. As senior vice president of sales and marketing for the SCVB, he was instrumental in bringing the Professional Convention Management Association’s annual meeting to Seattle in January 2008.

“Tom brings a wealth of tourism knowledge and marketing expertise to this critical post,” said Craig Schafer, chair of the SCVB board of directors, in a statement. “He has been closely and passionately involved in all of SCVB’s initiatives, and we are certain he will keep the momentum going.”