Chapter News

PCMA PNW Chapter New Member Highlight – Lisa Fraser, Sr. Manager, Corporate Events Nintendo of America Inc.

First Job:

At the age of 15, Lisa’s first “real-paying job” (if you can call $2.15 per hour ‘real-pay’) was a scooper at Baskin-Robbins Ice Cream. It was winter in northern Ohio, so needless to say, Lisa spent more time doing ‘quality control checks”, ensuring all 31 flavors were up to standards, than actually working.

How did you get to your current position?
In her former position of VP of Event Operations with SH Worldwide, based in Seattle, WA, she had the pleasure work with long-time client, Nintendo, provided planning and logistics support many events. Therefore, when an opportunity became available to work on their events team, she was intrigued. After long and thoughtful consideration, and 17+ years of planning and producing events for hundreds of companies and associations, Lisa decided to make the career change and focus her energy and experience for just one-company. Lisa joined Nintendo just two years ago and enjoys working alongside amazing and talented people in planning meetings, events and experiences for one of the top gaming and entertainment companies in the world. “How can you not love working for a company whose purpose statement includes ‘…delivering “wow” experiences … that bring big smiles’? I am a lucky girl!”

Advice:
Lisa’s advise for professionals are:
• Be kind, be humble and leave your ego at the door; the success of an event is not measured by your hard work, but rather by the guest’s overall experience. It can be a thankless job, so find your worth and value in the outcome and not the kudos.
• Surround yourself with those who inspire you, support you and lift you up; then, pay it forward!
• Be open, anything is possible; you never know when you will be in the right place at the right time, talking to the right person – something life-changing could happen!

Why join PCMA:
Being new to the client side of this industry, Lisa wanted an opportunity to meet others in similar positions with whom she can learn, collaborate and share ideas. She appreciates the lunch-n-learn presentations and looks forward to making new connections.

Favorite App:
Lisa loves technology and learning about new apps for everything from shopping to ride-share to
navigation, however expense reports are her kryptonite… She has yet to find an ‘expense tracking
app’ that doesn’t cripple her. However, the app she cannot live without daily is WAZE! Time is not
her friend and she seems to always be running just a bit late, so every minute saved on her
commute is worth it! WAZE changed her life and is always on when she is in the car to help her
navigate around possible roadblocks and arrives on-time.

Weekend Activities:
In the summer months, you will likely find Lisa on her small boat, aptly named the ‘Leaky Tiki’, hosting Floating Happy Hours with her gal-pals or chasing sunsets with her new hubby.

Donica YoungPCMA PNW Chapter New Member Highlight – Lisa Fraser, Sr. Manager, Corporate Events Nintendo of America Inc.