February 15, 2006
Contact: Justine K. Mitchell, Public Relations Manager, (561) 233-3189, jmitchell@palmbeachsports.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Gerig-Bland Announces Retirement from
Palm Beach County Sports Commission after 14 Years
WEST PALM BEACH, FL – Palm Beach County Sports Commission (PBCSC) Executive Director, Pam Gerig-Bland, today announced plans to retire in August 2006, after 14 years of leading the organization.
PBCSC President, Joe Weldon said, “I know I speak for the rest of the Sports Commission in saying that Pam’s retirement will leave a huge void to fill. In her 14 years as Executive Director of the Palm Beach County Sports Commission her work and efforts have made it one of the premier sports commissions in the country. She will be missed and I wish her well in her retirement.”
Upon announcing her planned retirement, Gerig-Bland stated, “It’s been a great run and I could not have done it without the board, staff, volunteers, and municipalities. There are so many other people involved with what we are doing. Great relationships have been formed over the last 13 and half years. The due diligence of the Board of Directors and expertise of the staff has helped develop the Sports Commission into what it is today.”
Pam Gerig-Bland became Executive Director of the PBCSC in 1992, after spending many successful years at the Orange Bowl Committee. At that time there was a good foundation of sports commissions across the country with the common purpose of bringing sporting events into their counties in an effort to secure additional hotel room nights. “Communities were starting to recognize the importance and economic impact of sporting events. Today, sports commissions are all structured differently based on their community needs. Our uniqueness is that in addition to putting heads in beds through events, we have developed programs with emphasis on youth, programs that introduce youth to sports and have a positive impact on their lives.” said Gerig-Bland.
The development of youth programs is a significant contribution of the PBCSC that has taken place during Gerig-Bland’s tenure as Executive Director. In 1996 the Palm Beach County Sports Institute (PBCSI), a 501(c) 3 not for profit organization, evolved out of PBCSC Youth Programs Committee. Programs currently managed by the PBCSI include the Kids Fitness Festival of the Palm Beaches, the Sports Achievement Awards, the Palm Beach County Sports Hall of Fame, the Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Award, and the Community Olympic Development Program (CODP). The CODP currently focuses on the three Olympic sports of table tennis, tennis, and wrestling, which have been introduced to thousands of youth in the county.
“With CODP club programs located in every district of the county, we are really trying to reach all the youth of Palm Beach County. A high point for me has been working with children and enhancing the quality of life in Palm Beach County by getting youth active in sports,” stated Gerig-Bland. “Our focus on youth programs has helped us obtain events for the county through additional interaction with national governing bodies. Securing these events has put more heads in beds.” The number of room nights generated through PBCSC funded and/or supported events has increased from 31,000 in 1993 to over 138,000 in fiscal year 2004-2005.
With regard to her upcoming retirement in August, Pam Gerig-Bland stated, “Change is good and I know the Board will do the right thing in bringing the right person in who will take the commission to the next level. I am looking forward to my new change, retirement, and sharing experiences with my children and grand children, having more time to travel, and spending more time with my husband.”
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