Petra Kralickova Joins Union Station’s Executive Team as Chief Experience Officer

April 18, 2025

Union Station announced today the addition of Petra Kralickova as their newly created Chief Experience Officer (CXO) and Vice President of Customer Engagement. Joining the Station’s seasoned Executive Team, Kralickova will lead efforts to fully integrate and align the essential customer experience and journey, among other mission-driven priorities for the independent, not-for-profit community icon.

“These are exciting times for Kansas City’s historic Union Station,” George Guastello, Union Station president and CEO, said. “Twenty-five years after the historic renovation and reopening of the Station, we have a proven success model that includes multiple lines of revenue, a diverse offering of attractions and events, and world-class guest experiences. Our Board and professional team have pivoted with each hurdle we’ve faced and positioned us for a bright and enduring future. The addition of Petra Kralickova reflects our strength and future-looking strategies. She brings a wealth of knowledge and experiences from the museum and attraction industry, and she is already a familiar and respected leader in our civic community. Stepping into the newly created position of Chief Experience Officer and VP of Customer Engagement, Petra will focus on the full integration and alignment of our customer journey. With over 2 million visitors to our historic campus annually – and many millions more who engage with us online from around the world — ever-enhanced customer experiences are essential to everyday operations and as we prepare to surge again to welcome a record number of international visitors in 2026.”

Kralickova, most recently, served eight years as the Executive Director of The National Museum of Toys and Miniatures, located on Kansas City’s UMKC Campus. During her tenure, she led the Museum through a period of remarkable growth, significantly increasing its public profile and strengthening its community partnerships. Under her leadership, the Museum expanded its collections and launched dynamic educational programs that reached audiences of all ages.

“It has been an honor to serve as the Executive Director of The National Museum of Toys and Miniatures for the past eight years and I’m deeply grateful for the trust and support from those who have been part of this journey,” Kralickova, said. “Looking forward, I’m excited to join the Union Station team, as our organizations have collaborated on multiple projects over the years, making this transition feel like a natural fit. Union Station’s status in the community and across the country is built on an entrepreneurial spirit and a commitment to life-long learning, and I look forward to contributing to its continued success.”

Kralickova will begin her tenure with Union Station on May 19th.

Union Station, now in its 111th year of anchoring the downtown Kansas City skyline, has become widely known as Kansas City’s visual voice and where the entire community celebrates. The self-sustaining 501c3 non-profit organization is charged to preserve and present their historic structures and stories, inspire lifelong learning, and create lasting memories. And by all accounts, that mission continues to be fulfilled in remarkable and sustaining ways.

Union Station Kansas City — a 501(c)3 non-profit organization — is a 111-year-old historical landmark and celebrated civic asset renovated and reopened to the public in 1999. Known as Kansas City’s Visual Voice, the Station has been designated “Favorite Attraction”, “Favorite Family-Friendly Attraction” and “Favorite Historic Attraction”, dedicated to science education, celebration of community and preservation of history. Union Station is home to Kansas City’s internationally awarded Science City; the new Arvin Gottlieb Planetarium; the Regnier Extreme Screen Theatre; the popular free Model Railroad Experience; City Stage featuring live theater, and a selection of unique shops and restaurants. Union Station is also home to prominent area civic organizations and businesses, and regularly hosts world-class traveling exhibitions as was proud to host the 2015 Royals World Series Championship Parade/Rally and the 2020 and 2023 Chiefs Super Bowl Parades/Rallies plus the recent 2023 NFL Draft. Awarded “Top Banquet Facilities in KC” by KC Business Journal, the facility annually hosts hundreds of community events and private celebrations of all sizes. Visit unionstation.org for details. Also, follow us on FACEBOOK, TWITTER, INSTAGRAM, and YOUTUBE.