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
With more than 25 years of experience in hospitality, corporate meetings and events, and destination management, Heather brings a broad perspective and a relationship-driven approach to creating exceptional event experiences. Since joining PRA Events, Inc. in 2013, she has built her career around the belief that the strongest programs begin with genuine partnerships, thoughtful strategy, and a deep understanding of what matters most.

Throughout her career, Heather has worked across sales, event operations, creative development, and business leadership, giving her a well-rounded understanding of the people, planning, and partnerships that bring successful events to life. A Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) and a Destination Management Certified Professional (DMCP), Heather is an active contributor to the meetings and events community including serving as MPI-CAC Chapter President in 2022-2023.
Colleen Ambrose

Regional Program Finance Manager
- Colleen.Ambrose@pra.com
Born and raised in Chicago’s northwest suburbs, Colleen Ambrose earned her B.S. in Management from Indiana University and began her career as an administrative professional. She later served as a Legal Assistant at a Personal Injury Firm, supporting clients with compassion and precision during challenging times.

Driven by a passion for numbers and a desire to make a broader operational impact, Colleen joined PRA in 2023 as the Regional Program Finance Manager for the Midwest and Southeast regions. Her role allows her to blend her analytical strengths with her commitment to supporting others.

In 2024, Colleen traded in her winter coats for shorts and flip-flops when she relocated to Fort Lauderdale, FL. When she’s not immersed in spreadsheets, she finds joy in fitness, personal development and cheering on the Chicago Cubs.
Allison Rush, CMP, DMCP

Regional Director of Experience Design
- Alli.Rush@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, CITP, DMCP

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.
Anne Garrity

Senior Event Producer
- Anne.Garrity@pra.com
With over 15 years of experience designing and executing impactful events, Anne has built a career focused on creating memorable brand experiences that bring strategy and storytelling to life. She has previously held roles with the University of Chicago Booth School of Business and NCSA College Recruiting, where she managed diverse event portfolios and complex stakeholder needs. Known for her strong attention to detail and passion for turning event concepts into seamless real-world experiences, Anne thrives in fast-paced, collaborative environments.

Originally from Kansas City and the Chicago suburbs, she has called Chicago home since graduating from Iowa State University. Outside of work, she enjoys exploring new restaurants and neighborhoods across the city, traveling to discover new destinations, and spending quality time with family and friends
Silvana Marzullo

Senior 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, CMP

Experience Designer II
- Melissa.Tucker@pra.com
Raised in the Chicago suburbs, Melissa Tucker graduated from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign with a Bachelor of Science in Communication and a Minor in Public Relations. She has been with PRA Midwest for over 4.5 years, beginning as an intern while still in college. Since then, Melissa has worked on events throughout the Midwest and built strong supplier relationships in remote destinations, gaining experience across a variety of event environments.

Melissa remains actively involved with MPI, serving in various co-chair committee roles and as a Choose Chicago Ambassador. Most recently, she earned her Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) designation as she continues to grow within the events industry.

Outside of work, Melissa enjoys running marathons, working out, traveling, reading historical-fiction books, and spending time with friends and family.
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.
Amanda Cassidy

Regional Sales Manager
- Amanda.Cassidy@pra.com
Originally from the Chicago suburbs, Amanda made the move to Arizona before making the full-circle move back to Chicago. She has always had a passion for bringing people together to create memorable and impactful experiences. Her attention to detail paired with her ability to multitask efficiently has set her up for success in the event world, while her relationship-driven approach helps clients feel supported throughout every step of the planning process. Outside of the office, you can find her exploring new local coffee shops, trying new restaurants, or enjoying time by the water whenever she can.
Hannah Hopkins

Event Specialist
- Hannah.Hopkins@pra.com
Born and raised in the Midwest, Hannah discovered her passion for events through her education at Indiana University, where she earned a degree in Tourism, Hospitality, and Event Management. During her undergraduate career, she made a meaningful impact within Bloomington’s events community through hands-on experience with local organizations and event venues. With a strong background in wedding coordination and catering operations, Hannah brought her passion to the Windy City by joining PRA as an Events Intern in 2025. Now serving as PRA Chicago’s Event Specialist, she is excited to bring each client’s vision to life while continuing to explore new and creative ways to design memorable experiences.

When not at work, Hannah enjoys drawing, cooking, exploring the city, and spending time with family and friends.

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