On January 12, Lauren Carpenter Bland began serving as Executive Director of the Hampton Roads Sports Commission and Vice President of Sports Development for the Chamber. The Hampton Roads Sports Commission (HRSC) is an affiliate of the Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce. In these roles, Bland is responsible for researching and bringing amateur sports to Hampton Roads and maintaining fulfillment for HRSC membership and sponsorship support. She will also lead the operations, logistics, and promotion of the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) Junior Olympic Games returning to Hampton Roads in 2015, 2020 and 2025, along with the Can-Am Police and Fire Games in 2018.

Bryan K. Stephens, President and CEO of the Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce, said, “We welcome Lauren back to the region and the Hampton Roads Sports Commission. She comes to us with a solid background in sports management and tourism and we’re confident that her experience and leadership will be a great benefit to the Sports Commission and the Hampton Roads region.” Stephens continued, “Lauren’s past work with the HRSC will be invaluable as we look ahead to hosting the AAU Junior Olympics and Can-Am Police and Fire Games in Hampton Roads.”
Lauren Bland was the Event Coordinator for the Hampton Roads Sports Commission where she oversaw and managed the event logistics for the 2010 AAU Junior Olympic Games. After leaving the HRSC in 2010, she served as Sales Manager of Sports and Recreation at Cabarrus County Convention & Visitors Bureau in Cabarrus County, NC where she doubled the number of sports events that generated economic impact in the county.

Bland also served as the Director of Events & Marketing at Carolina Courts in Charlotte, NC; leading the creation, promotion, booking and sales for two multi-use sports facilities, including booking a variety of National, Regional and State Championships for basketball, martial arts, cheerleading, volleyball and gymnastics.

Most recently, Bland was Sales Manager for Great Wolf Lodge in Concord, NC where she was responsible for sports, government, association, military and tour markets. While in this position, a few of Bland’s contributions included bringing a dozen new sports events, meetings and conferences to the lodge, signing several multi-year contracts that weren’t previously done in her markets and became the highest producing sales manager by hitting 150% of her revenue goal.

Bland, originally from Syracuse, NY, is a graduate of Old Dominion University with both her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Sports Management.

About the Hampton Roads Sports Commission

In February 1999, the Hampton Roads Sports Commission (HRSC) was formed as a private/public partnership among the municipalities of Hampton Roads and the Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce. The Sports Commission's primary function is to attract major amateur athletic events to the area to emphasize regional collaboration. The HRSC promotes Hampton

Roads while enhancing the economy and quality of life of its residents by creating and recruiting local and national amateur, military and youth sporting events, while providing unparalleled customer service. Past HRSC events include: the AAU Junior Olympic Games (1998, 2001, 2006, 2010), the National Senior Games (2003), and the Red Cross Heroes Games (2004, 2005). The Sports Commission will host the AAU Junior Olympic Games in 2015, 2020 and 2025. Since 1999, the HRSC has generated more than $168 million in economic impact for the region. The Hampton Roads Sports Commission is an affiliate of the Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce. Follow on Facebook (Hampton Roads Sports Commission) and Twitter (HRSC757). Visit www.HamptonRoadsSports.org.

About the Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce

The Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce is the Region’s premier business organization; helping our members succeed, driving regional economic growth and enhancing the quality of life of our community’s residents. The Chamber is a vigorous advocate for the economic success of its member businesses, which employ nearly 250,000 men and women in southeastern Virginia. Visit HamptonRoadsChamber.com. Like us on Facebook at Chamber757 and follow us on Twitter @Chamber757.