Chicago

In Chicago, scale meets style. From skyline views to lakefront landmarks, our team knows how to capture the city’s spirit and translate it into events that are both impactful and unforgettable.

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Next begins with:

Access to world-class venues, hidden gems, and trusted local partners

Creative design inspired by Chicago’s culture, architecture, and energy

National reach paired with local expertise for seamless, large-scale execution

Heather Brown, CMP, DMCP

Regional Vice President
- Heather.Brown@PRA.com
Heather Brown, Regional Vice President, has been with PRA since 2013 and leads the company’s Midwest Region. With over 25 years of expertise in corporate meetings, events, and hospitality, Heather believes that the key to crafting exceptional, memorable experiences lies in true collaboration and partnership. One of Heather’s most cherished memories in the industry is from the 2012 Chicago Summit, where she spearheaded a team that worked alongside the White House to plan and execute a highly successful NATO Working Dinner for President Obama and NATO delegates. Heather has been an active leader and mentor in the industry, serving for six years on the MPI-CAC Board of Directors, including a term as Chapter President. Her industry achievements have also earned her a spot on the BizBash Most Influential Event Professionals list.
Colleen Ambrose

Regional Program Finance Manager
- Colleen.Ambrose@pra.com
Colleen Ambrose was born and raised in the Northwestern suburbs of Chicago. After earning a B.S. in Management from Indiana University, Colleen began her career as an administrative professional. With a heart for assisting others, she thrived as a Legal Assistant at a Personal Injury Firm, providing exceptional support to clients during their most vulnerable times. Driven by a passion for numbers and a desire to make a broader impact, Colleen took on a new adventure in 2023, joining PRA as the Regional Program Finance Manager overseeing the Midwest and Southeast regions. In this role, she continues to channel her dedication to helping others while leveraging her financial knowledge. Beyond her financial acumen and professional pursuits, Colleen finds joy in challenging herself through various physical activities. When she’s not immersed in creating spreadsheets, you might find her perfecting her golf swing or passionately cheering on the Chicago Cubs!
Allison Shebek, DMCP

Regional Director of Experience Design
- Allison.Shebek@PRA.com
Alli joined the PRA family in 2014 with the Arizona team, where she quickly developed her passion for event design. After 4 years leading a team to design and execute hundreds of events in the Arizona desert, she relocated to the Windy City to pursue new challenges and opportunities with PRA. With a degree in Tourism Development & Management, as well as a Destination Management Certified Professional designation, Alli has been able to leverage her design skills and logistical expertise to plan events across North America, creating strong client and partner relationships wherever she works. She loves to dream with her clients and transform those dreams into extraordinary experiences.

Alli is actively involved in the meetings and events community, serving as Director of Marketing for MPI Chicago Area Chapter. She also serves as Marketing Co-Chair and a member of the Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity Task Force for PCMA Greater Midwest Chapter. In 2018, she was named one of PCMA’s “20 in Their Twenties,” in recognition of her expertise and contributions to the industry.

When not volunteering and designing unforgettable experiences in the Midwest, Alli can be found enjoying live music at a concert or relaxing by Lake Michigan with her dog, Roo.
Stephanie Cipolletta

Senior Regional Sales Manager
- Stephanie.Cipolletta@pra.com
With over 15 years of sales experience, Stephanie has had the privilege of managing, selling, and executing a wide range of impactful events across the Midwest. Her dedication to building strong client relationships has equipped her with an extensive set of communication and sales strategies, which enables her to optimize results for her clients. As a Senior Regional Sales Manager, Stephanie’s deep industry knowledge, coupled with her passion for Chicago and the broader Midwest Region, empowers her to deliver exceptional outcomes. Her enthusiasm for the industry is contagious, inspiring everyone around her, and fostering a collaborative environment that drives continued success.

When Stephanie is not working or (net)working, she is enjoying the Chicago restaurant scene, watching true crime documentaries or sports, and relaxing at home with her dog, Cheesy Potato.
April Pranske

Regional Director of Sales
- April.Pranske@PRA.com
With a passion for hospitality rooted in her Midwestern upbringing, April holds a degree in Tourism and Event Management from Indiana University. Her career has been centered around corporate events, drawing on the strong customer service foundation she built during her time with “The Mouse” in Orlando. April has crafted memorable experiences for corporate clients, from annual conferences to both domestic and international incentive trips. When she’s not bringing clients on tours to showcase all the best things The Windy City has to offer, you can catch her enjoying live music with her “work hard, play hard” attitude. Next time your business brings you to the Midwest, April is eager to find the perfect solution for your event needs.
Silvana Marzullo

Event Producer
- Silvana.Marzullo@pra.com
Silvana joined the PRA team in the summer of 2022 and approaches every part of her Event Producer role with meticulous curiosity. Born and raised in Chicago, she is familiar with every corner of the city. With 12 years’ experience coordinating events and transportation throughout the Midwest, she thrives in the “boots on the ground” role and loves being onsite. Her time as a freelance professional give her the ability to examine the logistics of any program from a multidimensional perspective, leaving no stone unturned. When not operating events, Silvana can be found riding her bike and exploring nature with her family.
Melissa Tucker

Experience Designer
- Melissa.Tucker@pra.com
Raised in the suburbs of Chicago, Melissa Tucker graduated from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign with a Bachelor of Science degree in Communication and a Minor in Public Relations. Melissa was involved in several event planning projects in Champaign, creating and producing events for student and university organizations where she found her niche in the event world. She knew instantly that she wanted to continue to engage clients and plan events as a full-time career. She gained additional experience as a Student Volunteer with MPI, where she won the Young Professional Achievement Award for 2021-2022. As a PRA Experience Design Coordinator, she is excited to continue to learn as she shares her passion for unique experiences and adventure. When Melissa isn’t engaged with client events, you can find her running, working out and spending time with friends. She also loves to travel and enjoys reading non-fiction books.
Xan Guzik

Regional Director of Events
- Xan.Guzik@PRA.com
An event professional for over 25 years, Xan has worked on a broad spectrum of events giving her the unparalleled qualifications needed to deliver powerful, seamless, and flawless productions for virtually any project imaginable. Whether producing large-scale experiential marketing events, tech industry conferences, upscale consumer food shows or multi-day, multi-wave programs, a myriad of clients have all benefited from her expertise in logistics, operations, budgeting, and event management. As a leader and event producer on the PRA Midwest Region team, Xan’s vast experience informs every program she touches. When she’s not working, she can be found walking her pup Hazel around the neighborhood, obsessively watching HGTV for design tips, or spending time with friends in the Best Big City in the US.
Michael Costa

Senior Vice President, Business Operations
LinkedIn
- Michael.Costa@PRA.com
Michael brings more than twenty years of experience in executive management to the PRA team. In his role as Senior Vice President, Business Operations, Michael is responsible for developing and implementing business strategies to support company initiatives, while creating synergies and leverage opportunities throughout the PRA system.

In Their Words

“Everything went smoothly without any issues. The planning process was excellent, collaborating with the experience designers. They did an exceptional job in sourcing and accommodating our budget limitations. The team demonstrated thoroughness in the event processes.”

Joe Sczampka

Ogletree Deakins

Senior Events Manager