Today we’d like to introduce you to Lisa McGowan.
Lisa, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
My father was a Meeting Planner. Luckily, I was exposed to all of the creativity that went into creating displays for events, itineraries for incentive travel programs and was able to experience some exciting resorts and destinations along the way. I knew that this is EXACTLY what I wanted to be when I grew up!
I grew up in Milwaukee, and after college moved to Chicago to be a Tour Director for an international incentive travel company. From there, I worked for a couple different companies and was blessed with opportunities to travel all over the world: Africa, China, Brazil and everywhere in between!
18 years ago, I had my first daughter (I have 3), and started my own company so that I could manage the travel / workload while raising a family. A Wondrous Affair / AWA Meetings was born, and I’ve been busy with exciting trips, meetings, and special events ever since.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Being a working mother has been a great challenge as well as a great primer for learning to manage my time without overextending my services OR my personal time with my family. These lessons have not always come easily, and I still get pulled in many directions, but adore my work and family, and do all I can to create a gentle balance. I work very efficiently and fast, and have learned to pace myself among clients and support staff who share in my ambition to get it all done!
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the AWA Meetings and A Wondrous Affair story. Tell us more about the business.
My company started out as “A Wondrous Affair”, handling singular special events, local fundraisers, and client events. In 2008, I re-branded a portion of the business to “AWA Meetings”, which would handle the corporate meetings and incentive travel clientele.
This year, I celebrate my 18th year in business on my own, and I support a great variety of clients who seek my logistical advice and event execution for fundraisers, large conferences, international incentive travel programs, and company celebrations. I love being able to create a most efficient means to an end of an event… from the initial musings of theme and venue to the final accounting wrap-up and evaluation.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
I attended a condo association meeting many many years ago. At that meeting, I was introduced to someone who suggested I come in and support the office manager with an incentive travel program. From there, I handled their annual incentive programs, and worldwide sales meetings, and the business took off! I am passionate about what I do, and hence feel most “lucky” to be placed in the position where others can share in the fun and excitement that comes with a successful meeting or event that I had a part in creating!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.awameetings.com
- Phone: 847-441-9166
- Email: Lisa@awameetings.com
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