Atlanta

Atlanta moves fast, but so do we. In this dynamic city, PRA’s local experts fuse insider knowledge, creative flair, and logistical finesse to turn every program into a story worth telling.

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Next begins with:

Deep insight and access to Atlanta's best venues, hidden gems, and inventive partners

Bold design and seamless execution that reflect the city’s energy and character

The strength of PRA’s national network backing each event with consistency and vision

Jacqueline Marko, CMP, DMCP

Regional Vice President, Mid-South
- Jacqueline.Marko@PRA.com
Jacqueline Marko, Jackie to her colleagues and friends, joined the Nashville office in 2011 as their Senior Sales Manager and was later promoted to Associate Director of Sales. Shortly after her move to Nashville, Jackie co-founded the ILEA Nashville chapter, serving as its first President from 2012-2014. In 2016, Jackie earned both her Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) and Destination Management Certified Professional (DMCP) designations and in 2017, Jackie was named the Association of Destination Management Executives International’s (ADMEI) “Rising Star” at the annual conference and awards. Jackie now oversees the offices in Louisville, Nashville and Atlanta as the Regional Vice-President, Mid-South Region.
Shannon Bates, MBA, CMP, DMCP

Project Manager
- Shannon.Bates@PRA.com
Jill of all trades? Shannon has the corner on this market. Shannon fancies herself a foodie, but she is an expert in every aspect of events from creative design to painstaking logistics. Originally from Alabama (no Roll Tidin’ here), Shannon received a bachelor’s degree in hotel and restaurant management from Auburn (War Eagle!) University. She began her career as a catering manager at a resort in Destin, Florida and went on to work in convention services at the Birmingham Convention Center. A move to the Nashville Convention Center in 2003 led Shannon to her adopted hometown.

Shannon next made her mark on Music City as the Director of Catering and Event Production for Nashville’s top special event catering company. After collaborating with the PRA Nashville office on many events, Shannon officially joined the team in 2011 and is now proud to be PRA’s Regional Director of Experience Design for the Mid-South Region including the Nashville, Louisville and Atlanta offices.
Courtney Hudson

Regional Director of Sales, Mid-South
- Courtney.Hudson@PRA.com
Home is where the heart is, and you will never find more heart in a hometown girl than you will in Courtney. Born and raised in the Nashville area, she is a living example of the amazing hospitality you will find here in our beautiful Music City.

Courtney began her career in event planning as a wedding and event planner. Her attention to detail and genuine care for her clients is evident in all she does. Her contagious enthusiasm and upbeat personality allow her to immediately connect with people and put them at ease making her a perfect fit for the client based relationships here at PRA. Courtney was also instrumental in vetting and selecting talent for event entertainment as well as for major events, such as CMA Fest. These experiences helped her to fine-tune her skills in logistics and created in her a greater love for music and a good challenge.

Driven by her talents, her desire to see everyone succeed, and her eternal optimism, she looks forward to each and every day, whether at work or at home with her husband, Nick, and daughter, Millie.
Abby Strawser

Regional Director of Events, Mid-South
- Abby.Strawser@pra.com
Some people are lucky enough to know in their soul what they are meant to be – and Abby Strawser is meant to be a meeting planner. For as long as she can remember, she has been known as the planner to her family and friends – coordinating family vacations and birthday parties whenever she could. As she entered her professional career, Abby used that same passion and energy for planning to kick start her career – working in various industries that allowed her to perfect her craft, from sports organizations to media companies and even PRA Events!

After spending the last few years getting the amazing opportunity to work for her family’s business, she is excited to return home to PRA Events as the Director of Events for the Nashville team. Each day, Abby brings a positive, joyful attitude to her work and programs, knowing just how lucky she is to get to plan meetings and events for a living.

Originally from Cincinnati, Ohio, Abby can be found on the weekends running at Shelby Park with her sweet rescue pup, Dot, spending time with her family at the lake, or cheering on her beloved Bengals (Whodey!) from her favorite East Nashville sports bar.
Taylor Rasak

Regional Director of Experience Design, Mid-South
- Taylor.Rasak@PRA.com
Born in Plymouth, Michigan and having attended the University of Michigan, Taylor has been working in the event industry since 2016. She spent time in her career on both the client side, and the DMC side of the industry & and has found true passion in the DMC world. She started working for PRA in 2019 and has loved working for the company and the clients we service. She loves to work with clients to bring their event ideas and inspirations to reality. She truly values being part of the planning and design process, allowing her knowledge of the region and industry to shine and support clients in their corporate event ventures. Being part of PRA was a perfect way to wrap her passion, skills and experience into a dream career.

Taylor is CTA Certified in Louisville, and when not designing events, loves to cook, travel and spend time with her family (her husband, son and 2 dogs). She also loves to attend local festivals! If there’s something fun going on in her city, she wants to be there! Fun fact – Taylor has lived in 6 different states in the US and has traveled to multiple countries. Her favorite travel experience was learning how to make pasta in Amalfi, Italy.
Natalie Williams

Director of Business Development
- Natalie.Williams@pra.com
Natalie was born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia. After graduating high school, she moved to New York City to attend the esteemed Fashion Institute of Technology where she received a degree in communications. Natalie first fell in love with the events industry while working at the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show. She then embarked on a remarkable journey in the hospitality and events industry that spanned over a decade in New York City. However, her deep-rooted love for family and a desire to raise her own children in her hometown led her back to her roots in Atlanta. With over 15 years of experience in the events industry, Natalie thrives on the exhilaration of assisting others in creating extraordinary occasions. Beyond her professional pursuits, Natalie finds solace and inspiration in writing poetry, nurturing her plants, and spending time with her family. Natalie’s unwavering commitment to creating unforgettable experiences, her deep love for family and hometown, and her diverse range of interests and talents continue to inspire her to deliver memorable and impactful events that exceed expectations.
Michael Spehar

Event Producer
- Michael.Spehar@pra.com
Michael’s earliest memories include poring over the road atlas on family trips on the way to various events. Immersive experiences—and how to get there—captivated him from a young age and have since grown into a career and passion he loves to share. Born and raised in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and now calling Atlanta home for 20 years, Michael’s professional background includes extensive knowledge spanning hospitality operations across food and beverage, transportation and event logistics. Early opportunities to join teams and deliver lasting impressions affirmed Michael’s deep appreciation for the relevance of the industry. From intimate meetings to massive activations, he wholeheartedly believes in the power of human connection and finds nothing more rewarding than helping produce meaningful, shared experiences. Away from work, Michael enjoys spending time with family and friends, seeing live music, and taking camping trips.
Paige Smith

Experience Designer
- Paige.Smith@pra.com
Originally from Virginia Beach, Virginia, Paige’s journey led her to Richmond, where she pursued her education at Virginia Commonwealth University. With three years of experience as a private assistant to a 60 Minutes’ producer, she then launched her own brand, P.S. Living, producing events along the East Coast. Transitioning to media production and design, Paige collaborated with Spang TV, excelling in partner-facing space design and vendor coordination. Since her transition into the corporate event world she has planned over 100 virtual and in-person events for the Educational Advisory Board, including international summits in Finland, England, and the Netherlands. With a keen eye for creativity and detail, Paige excels in crafting unforgettable experiences that leave lasting memories. In her free time, you will find her assembling charcuterie boards for poolside hangouts with family and friends!
Nathan Reiser

Regional Sales Manager
- Nathan.Reiser@pra.com
Originally from Cincinnati, followed by college at University of South Florida, Nathan Reiser took his talents to South Beach where he called Miami home for 20 years before relocating to Atlanta. During his time he has had the unique opportunity to plan events initially in the nonprofit world followed by 10 years producing fashion shows, celebrity appearances, cooking demonstrations and more for Macy’s, the Nation’s largest retailer. It was here he had the pleasure of producing events for everyone from Martha Stewart to Nick Jonas (and even walking in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade)! Planning these various events allowed Nathan to further explore his love for creating memorable moments for guests. When not planning the next fantastic guest experience you can find Nathan running along the beltline and searching for the best food Atlanta has to offer!
Moea Osbey

Sales & Event Coordinator
- Moea.Osbey@pra.com
Moea’s passion for event planning stems from the special memories she shares with her loved ones. Whether it’s going to a concert, or staying at home to watch a movie, she enjoys heartfelt conversations, laughter, great food, and good music. She also finds it amazing how you can positively impact the lives of others within a few hours. Quickly, she became curious about finding out how to intentionally create that environment. After graduating from Clemson, Moea decided to move to Atlanta to pursue a career in the Event Planning Industry. Since then, she’s gained hands-on experience from a variety of events and has gained her Certified Wedding Planner Certification. Soon, she will attain an Event Planning and Management Certification to eventually become a CMP. Moea loves working in a team environment with others who are also driven, passionate, hard-working, and fun. She is excited to join the PRA family and looks forward to the amazing things that are yet to come.
Marissa Moss

Experience Designer
- Marissa.Moss@pra.com
Meet Marissa Moss, a dynamic event planner with 10 years of experience in event development management, and marketing. Known for her energy, expertise, and resourcefulness, Marissa is passionate about crafting unforgettable moments and making a positive impact. Originally from Accokeek, MD, Marissa’s journey in the hospitality industry began at Morgan State University, where she discovered her love for creating exceptional experiences. With a deep appreciation for travel, food, and hospitality, Marissa sees herself as an Epicurean, sharing culinary delights and luxurious experiences outside of work. She takes pride in her experiences organizing “Taste of” style events that support local and minority-owned businesses, contributing to their growth and success. Marissa’s fun-loving nature is evident in her impromptu dance parties, adding an element of joy to any occasion.
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

“The PRA team was so easy to work with, and the execution of the general sessions, large breakouts, and awards dinners was practically perfect. There were so many last-minute changes, which the team handled with grace and professionalism.”

Stephanie Niswander

Pacific Life Insurance Company

Event Project Manager