City of Gig Harbor’s Marketing Director Laureen Lund to Retire in June

The City of Gig Harbor announced on Monday that longtime City Marketing Director Laureen Lund will retire this coming June. 

Lund has served as the city’s tourism and marketing director since 1999.

“Her tireless work in building awareness about Gig Harbor as a destination to live work and play will be visible in Gig Harbor for decades,” City Administrator Denny Richards said. “She will leave a lasting legacy not only in the success of Gig Harbor as a destination but in her innovative ideas and programs she created over the years including; Summer Sounds at Skansie, CinemaGig Outdoors, the Gig Harbor Visitor Information Center, the Gig Harbor Rack Card promotion program, the www.gigharborguide.com website and companion Facebook and Twitter pages, the www.MeetInGigHarbor.com website, the Heritage Markers, the Gig-a-Byte monthly newsletter, the Official Gig Harbor Visitor Guide and more.”

According to the City, Lund helped local organizations start up dozens of events including; Gig Harbor Street Scramble, Chalk the Walk, Donkey Creek Chum Festival, Gig Harbor Paddler’s Cup and Expo, Harbor Hounds, the Gig Harbor Art Walk, The Farmers Market, the Gig Harbor Beer Festival, Race for a Soldier and many others.  Lund has been instrumental in garnering national media attention for Gig Harbor in many dozens of publications websites and broadcast media.

“I have been talking about retirement for several years.” Lund said. “I feel the time is right for me personally and for the program. I’m ready to help the next Marketing Director move into the role and continue to make Gig Harbor rock.”

“Laureen will be greatly missed here at the City, her dedication and work ethic are incredible, the shoes she leaves behind will be a challenge to fill,” said Richards. “Most who observe her at her work see a person who is high energy and having fun, it is the behind the scenes work, coordinating, planning, writing press releases, internal memos and directing all the events folks witness in this community that takes lots of energy and Laureen is always up to the task of being the best in the Marketing Business. Laureen has put Gig Harbor on the map as a destination for visitors not just here in our state, but nationwide.”

“I want to personally thank her for all the high quality work she has done during my time back in the Harbor,” he added.

Lund’s last day as City of Gig Harbor Marketing Director will be June 27, 2013.

“I have been blessed to serve the citizens of Gig Harbor and will forever be grateful for all the opportunities this position has given me. But at the same time I am super excited about my future,” Lund said.

The City has not announced Lund's replacement.