She’s Helped Run the Show for 25 Years, Now Officially in Charge: Meet Yakima Convention Center’s GM, Lisa Krous

What actually happens behind the scenes to pull off massive community events, trade shows, and conventions in Yakima? We asked Lisa Krous, who was just named as the new General Manager at the Yakima Convention & Events Center.

Coming on board the staff in 2002, Lisa Krous has been a part of the convention center team for nearly 25 years and most recently served as the building's assistant general manager.

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Lisa Krous, General Manager Yakima Convention and Events Center

6 Questions with Lisa Krous

Hey, I know her! Here's what she revealed during a rare quiet moment before getting ready for her next event meeting.

1. What are your new duties as the general manager of the Convention Center?

In a nutshell, I just oversee everything and anything that has to do with the building, keeping it clean and new, and then for the employees, just making sure they have everything they need to make the events successful.

2. What have been some of the biggest locally organized events you've seen come to the Yakima Convention Center?

You know, we once had Doug Baldwin and he's one of the Seattle Seahawks, so that drew a pretty big crowd. And the YWCA always brings in different well-known famous people, and the Leadership Yakima org, too. That's always a huge draw.

3. What is something Yakima locals would be surprised to know that it takes to run the Convention Center?

We put a lot of time in setting up events, preparing for it, actually running the event, and then cleaning up the event and getting it ready for the next one.

She agrees with me that people don't actually see how much time the convention staff spend to make everything look perfect.

"We make it that way. So, you don't notice the small things that happen behind the scenes, but it makes a huge difference for your event!"

4. Share with us some of the new innovative upgrades the building has recently received.

We did renovations to the entire building as well as expanding the building with a new space. Plus, we renovated the AV and carpeting. And we added phone charging stations and a new lighted wall feature that we can load custom colors to make the lights on the wall change to whatever colors the event organizers need.

5. What is one convenience Yakima is missing that you are certain would bring bigger convention events here?

Air travel! We only have two flights coming into town a day, and that can be limiting. We also need more hotels near the convention center. For example, March and May are the biggest sports months for visitors coming to Yakima and we have limited hotel space to host both our sports and convention tourists during those months.

6. For me, my biggest dream convention that could come to town would be something like a Crochet Con! What do you think it would take to bring bigger events to Yakima?

We recently did get a call from a gentleman who puts on events all over the Pacific Northwest, bigger comic cons, anime cons, and toy shows. I think the more that you involve either a high-end celebrity that people want to see or someone they really admire or want to hear, that draws a big crowd. Or events for children.

Congrats to you, Lisa! One thing you might not know about Lisa is that she's such a sweet and fun human being! She's also a big Seattle Mariners and Derek Jeter fan, but don't tell her I told you that. ;)