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

Cosimo Bruzzese, CIS

Senior Vice President, Global Sales
- Cosimo.Bruzzese@PRA.com
Cosimo Bruzzese joined PRA New York in 2002, bringing with him an outstanding sales record in the hospitality industry with several years of previous experience in hotels, airlines and cruises. In his current role as Senior Vice President, Global Sales, Cosimo is responsible for developing and maintaining sales & marketing and is the primary contact for his Corporate and Incentive clients. He currently serves on the IRF Board of Trustees, FICP Influence Committee and is a former Board member of MPI, FICP Hospitality Partners Advisory Council, Board of Directors for ADMEI and Co-Chair of SITE Young Leaders. He is a past SITE Kevin Forde Spirit Award recipient and was also named one of Special Events Magazines Top 30 under 40 in the events industry and Collaborate Magazine Top 40 under 40. Cosimo is the proud father of twins.
Brian Stewart

Vice President Business Development, Production Services
LinkedIn
- Brian.Stewart@PRA.com
Brian Stewart expertly creates and maintains long-term relationships with clients. With over 18 years in the industry, he understands how to construct the collaborative environment that’s integral to the success of any program. Brian’s global sales background and strategic sales approach lends to trusted relationships with clients all over the world. Brian has worked with Novartis, Bristol Myers Squibb, Pfizer, AbbVie, Abbott, Morgan Stanley, and KPMG.

A Philadelphia resident, Brian can often be found at any number of sporting or concert venues in his hometown when he's not on the road.
Lindsay Breining

Senior Director, Field Sales Development
- Lindsay.Breining@PRA.com
With a strong background in sales, marketing, and meeting planning, Lindsay Breining joined PRA in 2014, bringing her expertise and creative thinking to the table. As a sales leader, Lindsay implements and oversees strategic sales approaches that contribute to PRA’s overall growth plan and the development of our Field Sales team. She works closely with our teams, ensuring that client program objectives are seamlessly integrated into every step of the attendee journey. She is active in the industry and over the years has held board and committee chair positions with PCMA. Lindsay has also been recognized with honors by PRA internally as well as ADMEI. When not making the lives of her clients and team easier, you’ll find Lindsay with her family and Golden Retriever or out enjoying the California adventure lifestyle.
Ally Topp

Senior Director, Global Sales Operations
- Ally.Topp@PRA.com
Ally joined the PRA family in 2011 in San Diego and moved to the Global Sales team in 2014. Ally has a passion for the hospitality industry and takes pride in cultivating strong relationships with clients and colleagues alike. She focuses on driving efficiencies and effectiveness for the Global Sales team as well as discovering new processes that continue to push the needle for PRA and our industry as a whole.
Mitch MacGregor

Global Sales Director
- Mitch.MacGregor@PRA.com
With a background like Mitch’s, one could say he grew up in the industry. Beginning his events career nearly a decade ago, Mitch’s background reflects his ability to produce outstanding experiences for attendees, while fostering lasting relationships with his clients. As a member of SITE and having been recognized by ADME, Mitch has his finger on the pulse of the industry.
Ramel Kelly

Global Sales Director
- Ramel.Kelly@PRA.com
Ramel Kelly has joined PRA as Global Sales Director responsible for new business development, and fostering strong client relationships which establishes PRA as the ideal solution for DMC services in the US Business Events sector. In addition, Kelly will drive strategic sales efforts to the growing North American market, focusing on supporting client needs and expanding business opportunities into PRA’s vast destinations. Her tenured career includes holding various management and sales leadership roles in the hotel hospitality space, most recently having served as Executive Director National Accounts, Northeast at Loews Hotels & Co. In her sales role, Kelly provided account leadership through direct sales efforts while spearheading strategic global expansion. Kelly is a highly regarded leader and sales expert in our industry, known for her warm approach strong business acumen and innovative solutions-based style.
Cynthia Minarovic

Global Sales Director
- Cynthia.Minarovic@pra.com
Cynthia Minarovic joined PRA in January 2023 as Global Sales Director. She brings with her several successful years of sales in the events industry, most recently from Encore Global. She’s passionate about building strong relationships with her customers and being that “go to” when they need any assistance with their events. Cynthia, her husband and three children live in suburban Chicago and spend a lot of their time outdoors or at their kids sporting events.
Lindsay Maloni

Global Sales Director
- Lindsay.Maloni@pra.com
Lindsay Maloni is a seasoned event professional with 24 years of experience spanning corporate and destination management sectors. She has served as a senior event manager for two Fortune 100 companies and held leadership roles focused on driving sales growth through strategic event management. Transitioning to the DMC side, Lindsay has applied her expertise to increase brand awareness while delivering high-quality event experiences.

A dedicated advocate for the evolution of the event industry, Lindsay has served on the Board of Directors for the Financial and Insurance Conference Planners Association and has spoken at numerous industry conferences as a subject matter expert on trends shaping the meetings and events landscape.

Lindsay lives in Longmeadow, MA, with her three boys. You can find her with family and friends often on the sidelines, cheering at her sons’ sporting events.
Nicole Chow, CIS

Global Sales Director
- nicole.chow@pra.com
Born and raised in Kansas City by entrepreneurial parents from Hong Kong, Nicole brings a strong foundation of drive, creativity, and cultural perspective to her work. She’s a proud graduate of the University of Missouri and began her career in St. Louis with the St. Louis Cardinals, where fans may remember her as a familiar face (and voice) from the big screen between 2012 and 2016.

During her time with the Cardinals, she was introduced to the world of global events through Steve Maritz—and it was a perfect fit. She quickly fell in love with the fast-paced, ever-evolving nature of the industry, as well as her now husband while they were both working as Travel Directors. Today, they’re raising two young children with a shared passion for travel, events, and—if all goes according to plan—a future as Travel Directors in perfectly pressed khakis.

With over a decade of experience in the events industry, Nicole has developed a well-rounded background on the agency side, working with respected organizations. Her path has taken her from Travel Director to Event Manager, with opportunities to support new initiatives in Business Development, and most recently, roles in sales as an Account Manager and Account Director. Nicole brings a thoughtful, hands-on approach to her work and is deeply committed to creating meaningful experiences for clients and teams alike.
Nicole Hess

Global Sales Director

We are thrilled to announce Nicole is rejoining the PRA family as Global Sales Director. Nicole will be responsible for generating revenue within the financial and technology sector. Nicole’s client centric approach and robust experience in the business events industry will help deliver growth to the brand. In her previous time at PRA, Nicole was a dedicated Regional Sales Manager for the Northern California Team before transitioning to a Global Sales Director role. She moved from the Bay Area and now lives in Newport Beach, CA, still returning to the Bay Area frequently to visit family, friends & clients.
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.
Liz Hansen

Global Account Director
- Liz.Hansen@PRA.com
After her first taste of events in college focused on concert venues and talent management, Liz knew the thrill of live events was her passion. After graduating from James Madison University in Virginia, Liz’s career in events started in Las Vegas through MGM Resort’s Management Associate Program at Mandalay Bay Casino & Resort in the Slot Marketing Department. After several years of designing and producing slot tournaments and high-end casino events, Liz found her way to PRA as an event designer in 2011.

In her time with PRA, Liz has held roles in various departments from proposal development, to creative and sales before jumping at the opportunity to join PRA’s Strategic Account Team in 2021. Her ability to prioritize client success with operational processes while keeping a strategy-first mindset has led to her success as Global Account Director. Her specialty lies in project managing some of PRA’s most complex projects as a trusted advisor to both her clients and internal teams with incredible success. Whether you want hot air balloons, a headliner music festival, or a multi-destination partner meeting, Liz is prepared to make your event dreams come to life.

Liz currently lives in Las Vegas with her husband, daughter, and their cat. Outside of work, Liz looks forward to any opportunity to travel, serving as her daughter’s social coordinator, and finding any opportunity to bake.
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.
Danyelle Kennedy

Global Sales Director
- Danyelle.Bartow@PRA.com
Danyelle grew up in Pittsburgh, PA in the hospitality industry, in her parent’s small mom and pop Italian Restaurant. Her passion for hospitality did not stop there, and after graduating from Youngstown State University with a degree in Hospitality Management and Minor in Public Relation & Advertising, Danyelle started her professional career in Sports Entertainment with over 7 years of experience in live events, including two consecutive Stanley Cup Championships with the Pittsburgh Penguins and CMA Fest at Nissan stadium. After that, Danyelle transitioned into nonprofit and fundraising events with the Adventure Science Center as the Senior Event Manager where she managed all internal and external events with her team. Danyelle’s passion for events – from the florals and invitations, to color schemes and designs, to the music and entertainment, to maintaining an orderly timeline led her to PRA. When not planning events, you can find Danyelle in her kitchen cooking, enjoying a day on the boat, or hiking.
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.
Lindsay Goneau, DMCP

General Manager
- Lindsay.Goneau@PRA.com
Lindsay has always had a passion for event planning and creating extraordinary experiences. Her hospitality background ranges from a degree in Hospitality & Tourism to positions in hotels to fundraising and development to non-profit and association organizations. Destination Management is, by far, her favorite part of the industry. She joined PRA New England in 2008 and has had the opportunity to work in all roles from sales to operations, finishing up in New England as General Manager.

Starting in 2015, Lindsay began traveling to support PRA’s other offices with large-scale, complex transportation program operations. This really dovetailed into her role today as Global Account Director on the Strategic Account Team. She marries her strategic vision with countless years of operational excellence to ensure her accounts are supported no matter their destination and no matter the challenge put in front of PRA. From complex transportation systems, remote execution programs, high-end multi-city incentives or traditional events – Lindsay really enjoys growing alongside her clients with solution-oriented teamwork.

When Lindsay is not working, she enjoys spending time with her family, exploring new destinations, and hitting up the park or beach with her dog, Zoey.
Sarah Howard, DMCP

Senior Event Producer
- Sarah.Howard@PRA.com
Although born and raised in Houston, Texas, Sarah made her way to New Orleans as quickly as she could. She attended Loyola University New Orleans, graduating Cum Laude with a B.A. in Marketing. Not every moment, however, was spent studying — Sarah was a captain of the Wolfpack Volleyball team, served as Vice President of Theta Phi Alpha, and fell in love with the city of New Orleans. She worked for an event planning, association management, and destination management company working with both non-profit and corporate clients and gaining varied experience in the hospitality industry. In 2012, Sarah jumped at the chance to create memorable event experiences in city she loves with the PRA New Orleans team.

Sarah moved to the Strategic Account team in 2022 to assist with account management and event production. You can find Sarah creating beautiful manifests, handling VIP programs, or setting up stunning events while supporting the vision of our Key Accounts.

Sarah’s first love is Kentucky Basketball and never misses a game if possible. In her free time, she is typically found watching a sporting event, reading a mystery book, or enjoying the latest movie. Her second love is her puppy, Roux, and can also be found at the closest dog park.
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.
Angela Hofford, DMCP

Associate Director of Business Development, Global Sales
- Angela.Hofford@PRA.com
Angela joined PRA in 2000, jumping in as an account manager in the Arizona office and embracing every learning and growing opportunity along the way. Excelling in her prior PRA roles as sales manager, director of sales, and interim general manager, she is now enjoying her assignment in business development as part of the Global Sales team. She’s passionate about strategizing for sales success, maximizing “luck”, and realizing efficiencies.
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.
Jae Owh

Strategic Account Manager
- Jae.Owh@PRA.com
Jae has spent most of her career in hospitality and specializes in the transportation sector. For over 20 years, she has worked alongside Associations, Third Parties/Incentive Houses, and Corporate Direct clients to design and flawlessly execute shuttle services. Her dedication in transportation had association clients returning year after year for their citywide shuttle needs. She is a master of all thing’s transportation from strategic route design, to pulling proper permits, and staffing – Jae always exceeds expectations when it comes to transporting attendees.

She may be based in Los Angeles, but she has worked in every major city (and secondary city) in the US. She has worked with corporate executives to groups of 80,000 that need transportation design and execution. From San Francisco to Boston, Dallas to Milwaukee and everywhere in between there isn’t a convention center she hasn’t seen.

PRA welcomed Jae on-board in 2021 to as an integral member of the Strategic Account Team. She is the perfect fit for Strategic Accounts, as she enjoys getting to know her clients and their shows and looks for ways to improve service year over year. She brings a vast amount of knowledge to every PRA account she touches.

When she is not working, she can be found catching a concert at the Hollywood Bowl, hiking in the hills of Los Angeles, or spending quality time with her family and two amazing nephews.
Mandy Weiss

Global Sales Account Manager
- Mandy.Weiss@PRA.com
Mandy Weiss, currently serving as a Global Sales Account Manager, has the privilege of turning visionary event concepts into memorable realities. Her journey in the dynamic world of events began in the vibrant city of Las Vegas, where she joined PRA as an Experience Designer. Her passion for creativity, coupled with a dedication to thinking beyond the conventional, swiftly propelled her into the realm of Global Sales.

Her professional path has been marked by several milestones, including serving as a past board member of the International Live Events Association (ILEA) and as the Past President of the TISOH Alumni Board. In 2018, her contributions to the industry were recognized when she was honored as a Future Leader of America by IMEX.

Mandy is deeply committed to understanding the unique vision of each client, guiding them to explore the bounds of what’s possible, and ultimately crafting experiences that leave lasting impressions on guests. It’s the art of bringing dreams to life and creating moments that endure which motivates her daily.

When she is not orchestrating unforgettable events, you can find her immersed in the pages of a good book, exploring the great outdoors on a hike, soaking up the sun, or sharing laughs with friends.
Hannah Bodine

Manager of Global Sales Operations
- Hannah.Bodine@PRA.com
Hannah Bodine joined the PRA Global Sales team in 2018 as a graduate of University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign, with a Bachelor of Science in Recreation, Sport and Tourism Management and a Minor in Leadership Studies. Hannah provides administrative support to the Global Sales team members within the organization, ensuring the successful execution of sales initiatives and projects to support our growth strategies. Her positive attitude, attention to detail and ability to problem solve are invaluable to both the Global Sales team and our clients, who love working with Hannah as much as we do! When not at work, she loves discovering the best new restaurants and shops in Chicago and relaxing at the lakefront.
Jordan Kusiak

Global Sales Coordinator
- Jordan.Kusiak@PRA.com
Jordan Kusiak joined PRA in 2023 with a background in sales, marketing, and both corporate and social event planning. Jordan fell in love with the hospitality industry nearly a decade ago while she was an event planning intern at Purdue University. Jordan provides administrative support to the Global Sales team, ensuring the team delivers unique experiences that move hearts, minds, and businesses forward. Jordan was raised to be proactive and always focus on the solution, which has been the forefront of her work ethic. Jordan’s been active in the industry and previously honored with the Young Professional Achievement Award with MPI-CAC. She loves spending her time with her husband and dog, especially in the sunshine.
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.
Danielle Cirami-Gillis

Senior Vice President, Strategic Partnerships
LinkedIn
- danielle.gillis@pra.com
Danielle brings a strong management background to PRA with a proven track record in developing and executing corporate and brand identity initiatives within multiple business sectors. Most recently she served as Vice President, Events and Tradeshows for Northstar Travel Group, a leading B-to-B information and marketing solutions company, serving all segments of the travel industry. It was there she managed 20-plus global events, tradeshows and meetings to introduce business strategies, new product segments and additional sponsorship revenue growth drivers. She also participated in merger and acquisitions through new event, talent and channel partner programs.

In this role, Cirami-Gillis will activate PRA strategic partnerships across all PRA service and solution platforms with a primary focus on aggressively forming and expanding hotel partnerships across the markets PRA serves. She will operate as a sales leader, building on strategic relationships that contribute to the overall PRA growth plan, while developing approaches that ensure strategic advancement of key partners.

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