Tamika Ligon
- 3 days ago
- 2 min read
Director of Programs and Planning, NASPL
Tamika Ligon joined the NASPL staff in 2001, beginning a career that would span 25 years of service to the association and the lottery industry. Her first assignment offered an early indication of the skill, dedication and composure she would bring to her work: managing hotel room blocks for approximately 1,200 attendees traveling to Albuquerque, New Mexico, for a worldwide lottery conference held just three weeks after September 11. Armed with a very large Excel spreadsheet, Tamika knew virtually every name on the attendee list and could answer specific questions in seconds.
In the years since, Tamika has grown into a leader responsible for NASPL’s national education and program operations, helping deliver major meetings and educational programs for lottery professionals across the U.S. and Canada. As Director of Education & Programs, she oversees the complex planning behind NASPL’s Annual Conference, Professional Development Seminar, Directors Meeting and Lottery Leadership Institute, managing everything from budgets, RFPs, and site selection to contract negotiations, hotel logistics, vendors, speakers, and onsite operations.
Throughout her career, Tamika has demonstrated an ability to remain focused and solutions-oriented when plans change – whether navigating travel disruptions, last-minute speaker changes, hotel challenges or other unexpected issues. Her steady leadership helps bring together lottery executives, committees, speakers, sponsors, vendors, hotels, and NASPL staff to create programs that serve the industry year after year.
Tamika’s contributions can be seen across NASPL’s conferences, educational programs, and professional development opportunities – and in the countless relationships she has built along the way. Her commitment to the Association and the lottery industry embodies the spirit of the Edward J. Powers Award and makes her a worthy recipient of this recognition.
