Press Room

Panama City Beach, FL. - Nov. 6, 2008 - Richard Sanders was inducted today into the National Softball Association (NSA) Hall of Fame, in recognition for his outstanding achievements in amateur sports and his continued commitment to promoting the NSA's mission of fostering excellence for competitive amateur teams, coaches, sponsors and park & recreation venues across the nation.  Nominated by NSA founder Hugh Cantrell, Sanders is the 11th Meritorious Category inductee into the NSA Hall of Fame since 1992.

"The National Softball Association Hall of Fame Meritorious Award recognizes the pinnacle of performance in the amateur sports profession," remarked Dan Rowe, president & CEO of the Panama City Beach Convention & Visitors Bureau "This lifetime achievement award recognizes his stellar contributions, dedication and successes on behalf of amateur sports."

In his current role as Sports Marketing Director for the Panama City Beach Convention & Visitors Bureau, Sanders is responsible for recruiting sports business to the destination. With more than 30 years of sports and events experience, he is considered one of the leading experts on sports marketing in small to mid-sized markets.

Prior to working with the Panama City Beach Convention & Visitors Bureau, Sanders served as president of RJ & Associates in Atlanta, Ga.
and is CFO & managing partner of West Atlanta Sports Ltd. He has won several sports industry awards and has also been inducted into the Georgia State USSSA Hall of Fame in 2003.

Sanders has been affiliated with the National Softball Association (NSA) since 1985. He will be inducted in the Meritorious Category at the 2008 NSA Annual Convention Awards Banquet held at Edgewater Beach Resort on Thursday, Nov. 6.

For additional information, contact the Panama City Beach Convention & Visitors Bureau at 850-233-5070 or visit http://www.visitpanamacitybeach.com.

For information on the National Softball Association (NSA), contact
859-887-4114 or visit http://www.playnsa.com.