Gig Harbor's top marketer has been named this year's top tourism pro for Pierce County.
City Marketing Director Laureen Lund took home the "Tourism Professional of the Year” award at the annual meeting of the Tacoma Regional Convention and Visitor Bureau on Thursday, Nov. 17., held at Cheney Stadium in Tacoma. One of seven nominees, Lund was presented the award by Tacoma Mayor Marilyn Strickland and Lakewood Mayor Doug Richardson.
The award honors a person whose exceptional service and outstanding commitment to the tourism industry in Pierce County has contributed significantly to the success of the industry, according to the Visitor Bureau.
Lund has spent more than 13 years as the marketing director for the city, creating campaigns and strategies aimed at attracting tour operators, meeting planners, and visitors to Gig Harbor. In doing so, she has achieved national media exposure for Gig Harbor and the surrounding region.
Her recent initiatives have included the "Meet in Gig Harbor" marketing campaign and the creation of such events as Gig Harbor Paddler's Cup. In addition, this past summer Lund lobbied for and won changes in the city code to attract commercially organized special events to the harbor.
Lund was nominated for the tourism award by City Administrator Rob Karlinsey last month.
“I felt like doing cartwheels," said Karlinsey, of his reaction to Lund's receipt of the award. "This is one important way for Laureen to receive recognition for the creativity and extra effort she has put in to bringing tourism to Gig Harbor.”
