Lauren Yawn has been named executive director of the Peachtree City Tourism Association, officials announced Wednesday.

She will be responsible for marketing, advertising, and obtaining sponsorship as well as development and oversight of the Tourism venues (Amphitheater and Tennis Center), consistent with the goals and objectives of the PCTA. She will also be responsible for promoting tourism in Peachtree City.

“The Tourism Association could not be happier to have Lauren coming to work for us,” said Murray Weed, chairman of the PCTA.  “Her enthusiasm and clear-headed thinking was obvious from her interviews and her references could not have been better. She has worked her way up through the ranks in the industry and has received statewide recognition and honors for her tourism work. Out of approximately 50 applications that we received, she clearly had everything that we were looking for. We were the right opportunity for Lauren and she is the right fit for us.”

Yawn began her tourism career with the Statesboro Convention and Visitors Bureau as an intern and quickly moved up the ranks. She has most recently served as the executive director for the SCVB. In this position, she managed all aspects of the SCVB including marketing and public relations, advertising campaigns, tourism program development, human resource management, and budget and fiscal management.

Yawn graduated from Georgia Southern University in public relations and has maintained a close working relationship with the University as a tourism partner as well as a featured speaker on tourism. She was instrumental in the selection of Statesboro as the host city for the 2004 Governor’s Conference on Tourism.

Yawn has been an ex-officio member of Main Street and Downtown Development Authority, Statesboro Chamber of Commerce, Arts Council Board and the Bicentennial Committee. She has served as a representative on the Choices Program and Developmental Council Ogeechee Area Hospice as well as being an American Red Cross Board Member. She has been nominated for the Southern Living Rising Star award for three consecutive years.

“I am looking forward to becoming a part of the Peachtree City community and working hard to increase the economic impact of all segments of the Peachtree City Tourism Association.” said Yawn. ”Tourism can be a positive influence on the community as a whole and together we can attract, stimulate and develop growth in an effort to make Peachtree City a number one tourist destination.”

Yawn is tentatively scheduled to begin Oct. 31.

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