DATE: Sunday, April 6, 1997                 TAG: 9704040160

SECTION: PORTSMOUTH CURRENTS     PAGE: 03   EDITION: FINAL 

TYPE: CLOSE-UP 

SOURCE: Doris Townsley 

                                            LENGTH:   82 lines

PATRICIA LAWRY: GETTING PORTSMOUTH IN PRINT

Bring on the tourists.

That's what Patricia Lawry, the new manager of media relations for Portsmouth's Convention and Visitors Bureau, has set out to do.

``My overall job responsibility,'' said Lawry, who holds a master's degree in communications from Regent University in Virginia Beach, ``is to promote Portsmouth as a tourist destination to the state, the region and the nation.''

To promote Portsmouth, Lawry, who has lived in South Hampton Roads for 15 years, gathers information about attractions and upcoming events in Portsmouth, and makes proposals to state, regional and national newspapers, and other publications, to use Portsmouth in a feature story.

``I find out what their editorial calendar is,'' she said, ``and say, in April, they're doing waterfront destinations. We are one. So I put a media kit together with a proposal to them.''

Lawry, who previously worked in promotional marketing for Middle East Television and The Family Channel, said that her job requires a lot of writing and creativity, but that the most important overall aspect is developing media relations.

Developing those relationships can take a long time, but she said she is looking forward to it.

``I love working with people in all walks of life, and basically meeting them, even if it's over the telephone,'' she said. ``Meeting them, getting to know them - I find that very interesting and a lot of fun.''

Currently, Lawry is working on two major projects to promote Portsmouth as a tourist attraction. One is a cooperative effort, with other Hampton Roads convention and visitors bureaus, to help develop a feature story, outlining the region's child-oriented attractions, for Southern Living magazine.

``We don't know for sure that it will be published,'' Lawry said. ``That's one thing you never know. But we hope it will be in the July issue.''

She's also developing a website for the city of Portsmouth on the Internet.

``That's under construction right now,'' she said. ``It's another area that we want to continue to move forward on - to establish a home page so that we can be linked to other tourist areas.''

Name: Patricia M. Lawry.

Neighborhood: River Walk, Chesapeake.

Birthplace: Staten Island, N.Y.

Occupation: Media relations manager for Portsmouth's Convention and Visitors Bureau.

What other job than your own would you like? CEO of Disney.

Fondest childhood memory: Going to New York City at Christmas time and attending the Radio City Music Hall.

First concert: The Animals - in New York.

What book title best describes your life? ``Ripley's Believe It or Not'' - because so many unbelievable things have happened to me.

If you could trade places with anyone in the world for just one day, who would it be and why? Royalty, just to experience the lifestyle.

Biggest accomplishment: Moving 3,000 miles to return to school, earn my master's degree, and change careers.

Most embarrassing moment: Getting tongue-tied on camera while reading a report, then seeing it on a blooper tape.

If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? To be more patient with other drivers.

Perfect way to spend the day: Antique shopping, lunch at a unique outdoor restaurant, then an afternoon walk around a historic district.

I can't resist: Traveling.

Favorite movie: All movies based on books by John Grisham.

Hobbies: Traveling, antiquing, tennis, downhill skiing and reading.

Favorite Portsmouth restaurant: I can't pick. I have enjoyed so many because of the variety and selection offered.

Favorite Portsmouth leisure spot: Commodore Theater.

Biggest problem facing Portsmouth: Traffic congestion, especially around the tunnels.

If you had three wishes for Portsmouth, what would they be?

1. To continue emphasis on economic development projects that will bring in more jobs and tourism dollars.

2. To continue cooperation between police and citizens with the NEAT program, so we can have safer neighborhoods and keep the crime rate low.

3. An improved quality of life for Portsmouth's citizens.

What do you like best about Portsmouth? I love its history. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by RICHARD L. DUNSTON

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