Nashville

There’s a rhythm to Nashville that makes every moment feel alive. PRA’s local team taps into that spirit, blending insider access and fresh creativity to design events that are as welcoming and unforgettable as the city itself.

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Next begins with:

Local expertise across Nashville’s legendary venues, neighborhoods, and hidden gems

Creative design that draws on the city’s vibrant culture and effortless charm

PRA’s nationwide network ensuring consistency, scale, and flawless execution

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.
Dylan Hooks

Sales Coordinator
- Dylan.Hooks@pra.com
Dylan brings experience in nonprofit leadership, event planning, and community engagement to her role at PRA. Most recently, she served as Executive Director of the Blake McMeans Foundation, leading statewide programs focused on youth education and safe driving. A proud Auburn, Alabama native, she earned a Media & Film degree from Auburn University before launching a digital marketing company supporting local businesses and nonprofits. Known for her energy, creativity, and adaptability, Dylan thrives in fast-paced environments. Outside of work, she enjoys long walks, hosting trivia, and relaxing in her backyard garden dome. Fun fact: she can play six instruments, sing, and dance — a triple threat for fun!
Caroline Hunse

Event Coordinator
- Caroline.Hunse@pra.com
Born and raised in Knoxville, TN, Caroline joins the PRA Mid-South team with a passion for creating unforgettable experiences. She graduated from Belmont University with a degree in Public Relations and Creative Entertainment Industries, where she discovered her love for hospitality and event planning. Caroline has gained hands-on experience in public relations, marketing, and event coordination, working with media and entertainment companies like PLA Media and The Handbook in London. One of her favorite projects was coordinating a brand partnership event for Batiste Hair. She thrives on building strong relationships, thinking creatively under pressure, and bringing events to life. Outside of work, Caroline loves traveling, trying new restaurants, and attending hot yoga classes—she recently earned her yoga teaching certification! She’s excited to bring her enthusiasm and skills to the PRA team and help craft memorable events.
Kelly Rains

Experience Designer
- Kelly.Rains@pra.com
An artist at heart and a planner by nature, Kelly has spent her career blending creativity with strategy. Born in Athens, GA, she earned her degree in Painting & Drawing from the University of Georgia. From there, she moved to Louisville and launched Kentucky’s first Paint & Sip Studio as Manager & Lead Artist, turning a passion for creating experiences into a thriving business. That love for immersive storytelling led her into a Creative Marketing & Event Planning role in Louisville’s vibrant and constantly evolving restaurant industry, where she spent 7 years producing successful events throughout Kentucky, Indiana, and Ohio. She is excited to bring her artistic vision and big-picture thinking to craft unique events that leave a lasting impression on PRA clients, and celebrating those successes with her PRA teammates. Outside of work, Kelly is embracing life as a first-time mom alongside her husband Derrick, loves spending quality time with family and friends, and spoiling her senior rescue dog, Cleo.
Monica Eastes

Regional Program Finance Manager
- Monica.Eastes@pra.com
She’s got northern roots but the heart of a southerner that epitomizes what the Volunteer State is known for. Monica came to middle Tennessee in 1998 and instantly planted her roots in Nashville. Graduating from Tennessee State University with a background in Healthcare and Human Resources, Monica brings a diverse set of talents to the hospitality industry. In 2012, she began working with weddings and it was then that she knew the hospitality world was where she belonged. Monica joined PRA Nashville in 2016 as an Administrative Assistant and has worn many different hats within the office, currently serving as the team’s Regional Program Finance Manager. When she’s not being the “glue” for the team, she’s wearing her favorite hat of all, mom to Lily Kate and Lucy. You can find Monica and her husband exploring the Nashville Coffee Trail and local ice cream shops together, or spending time outdoors with their girls and Goldendoodle, Zoey!
Lisa Slade

Event Producer
- Lisa.Slade@pra.com
While Lisa grew up in Northeast Texas, Northwest Louisiana, and spent some time in Southwest Florida, she has called Nashville home for the past 13 years. Most of her career prior to moving to Nashville was spent in the radio industry where she enjoyed over 15 years as Marketing and Promotions Director for several radio stations covering all formats of music. She enjoyed many successful years in the industry, winning awards from the Louisiana Association of Broadcasters for Station of the Year, as well as winning Promotion of the Year for events she helped create and execute for the Country Radio Broadcasters Association. It was at those country music award ceremonies and seminars she discovered her love for Nashville, and events! Shortly after moving to Nashville, Lisa enrolled in an Event and Meeting Planning course at Belmont University taught by the late Carol Norfleet, a longtime PRA Nashville leader. She immediately joined PRA’s Field Team, working hands-on at the events that PRA has produced for the past nine years. In 2022, Lisa decided to take on a bigger role doing what she loves – creating memorable experiences for attendees in Music City – and was promoted to a full time Event Producer! In her free time, Lisa enjoys walking and hiking with her three dogs at the beautiful parks throughout Nashville, or trying new restaurants with friends. She is an official “hockey mom” and loves attending area sports venues for hockey and football games.
Erica Kloke, CMP

Senior Regional Sales Manager
- Erica.Kloke@PRA.com
While some youngsters play school, Erica Kloke, CMP, has childhood memories playing “Meeting Planner,” complete with binders of meeting minutes and monogrammed napkins! So, to say being in the event industry has been her life’s dream isn’t an exaggeration! A Nashville native, Erica graduated from University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and started her career as Director of Events at a local nonprofit museum and venue. Through her years there, she produced hundreds of weddings, parties, fundraisers, and corporate events. From connecting with clients, seeing a vision come to life, and even the small logistical details, her passion for events has only grown. Now, as a PRA Event Producer, Erica gets to bring her enthusiasm and skill to clients in Nashville and beyond.

When not executing programs, Erica spends her time enjoying live music, hot yoga traveling and being outdoors.
Noelle Prince

Senior Event Producer
- Noelle.Prince@pra.com
Noelle joins the PRA Mid-South team from her hometown of Setauket, NY. While attending Pace University, Noelle interned at Powered by Professionals as an Event Management and Fundraising Intern and at This Is It! StageWorks as an Events Production Intern. Additionally, during her college years, Noelle worked for the Walt Disney Company twice – first as an Exhibition Host at Mickey: The True Original Exhibition in NYC and then in the Disney College Program in Orlando at Walt Disney World. After receiving her masters from Penn State, Noelle most recently served as the Promotions Coordinator at Mount Airy Casino, where she helped to create promotional offers and events for the casino guests. Being the music fan that she is (Noelle has been to every Taylor Swift tour!) Noelle has made the move to Nashville to continue her career in event planning with the PRA team.
Chelsea Hutchinson

Senior Event Manager
- Chelsea.Hutchinson@pra.com
Chelsea’s passion has always been creating memorable experiences. As a young child growing up in Hendersonville, TN, she put all her energy into creating fun themed parties with friends or setting the family dinner table beautifully. While attending Paul Smith’s College in Upstate New York (whose tagline is “it’s all about the experience”), Chelsea had the opportunity to learn from some of the best in the industry through hotel site visits and trade shows, spearheading new event traditions across campus, and learning the ins and outs of fine dining directly from the owner of The Palm Restaurant. After graduation, Chelsea began her career in hospitality and over the course of a decade, has experienced all facets of designing and executing exceptional events. She is known for being service-hearted, a creative partner, and putting her teammates and clients at the center of what she does. She is excited to bring her hotel and event expertise to PRA. When not working an event, Chelsea can be found with her miniature dachshund, Mowgli, going to a pilates class, watching Star Wars, arranging flowers, or crafting greeting cards!
Jenna Petrillo

Senior Regional Sales Manager
- Jenna.Petrillo@pra.com
Jenna has known that the events industry was her calling for as long as she can remember. Being the family member and friend always organizing parties, bachelorettes, vacations and day-to day operations, her love of logistics and organization led her to jump headfirst into events. After graduating from James Madison University in Virginia, Jenna moved back to New York and began her career with an event firm specializing in large scale non-profit galas for some of New York City’s most notable including Songwriters Hall of Fame, MusiCares and The Council of Fashion Designers of America. After almost six years, she accepted a position as an Event Manager on the Corporate Events Team at Madison Square Garden putting on events for MSG executives, the Knicks, Rangers and season ticket members. After visiting a friend in Nashville once the world re-opened post pandemic, Jenna knew instantly that this was the place she wanted to be. Her love of all things music and music history pointed her in the direction of her Music Row neighborhood. Since moving to Nashville in October 2021, Jenna has put on events for some of Music City’s biggest names in the entertainment industry, and could not be more excited to now be a part of the PRA family. When she’s not working, Jenna loves spending time outdoors, listening to live music, taking an Orange Theory Fitness class and enjoying a good pamper day.
Ansley Hampton

Staffing Manager
- Ansley.Hampton@pra.com
Ansley grew up in Atlanta watching her mother travel across the world as an Incentive Meeting Planner, often joining her as a young child on airport Meet & Greets. After attending the University of Mississippi, Ansley returned to Atlanta and joined a local DMC company, honing her talents and eventually moving to Nashville to join the PRA office in Music City. Over the past 16 years (some would say that makes her a true Nashvillian!) Ansley has worn many hats with the PRA Nashville team, whether as an onsite Event Producer, behind the scenes confirming logistical details, or in her most recent role as Staffing Manager, as “Mother Hen” to our 200+ Field Team members. When not staffing programs, you can usually find Ansley and her husband cheering on their two sons at one of many sports games, or on a walk with her Goldendoodle, Millie!
Kayla Harrell

Associate Director of Experience Design
- Kayla.Harrell@PRA.com
Born and raised in Nashville, Kayla graduated from Austin Peay State University in 2013 with a Bachelors degree in Public Relations. As part of her education at Austin Peay she sought ways to gain experience in live event production through internships with Decadent Details Events and Nashville’s Perfect Wedding Guide. After graduation, Kayla moved to Orlando, to spend the summer working with the entertainment department at Walt Disney World where she discovered how to create the “magic” Disney is known. Kayla strives to bring the same enthusiasm into all of her work! Following her passion for event production and love of her hometown, Kayla returned to Nashville to join the PRA team and is now an Experience Designer. In her spare time, you can find her listening to music, traveling, or spending time with her family.
Caroline Young

Event Producer
- Caroline.Young@pra.com
Caroline has always known that she wanted to be in the event planning industry. She grew up in a small farm town in Pennsylvania where she helped her mother plan the local events. Caroline moved to Mississippi to attend the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) for college, where she earned a degree in hospitality management. While in college, she worked for a Today Show contributing chef and author, Elizabeth Hesikell, who taught her all about southern hospitality! Caroline also interned as an event assistant at the Polo Club back in Pennsylvania where she was involved in one of her favorite events to date, helping to create a three-part themed concert series for the summer, bringing in spectators locally and internationally to enjoy a polo match as well as amazing local music and food and beverage. After college, Caroline moved to Nashville where she helped to open a new luxury hotel. There, she was able to learn about the city and the best local spots for food, drinks and live music. Those connections led her to the wedding planning industry, and now to PRA. In her spare time, Caroline enjoys going to concerts, trying new restaurants and exploring Tennessee. Caroline has a passion for being able to see events come to life and making clients’ dreams come true.
Lauren Bjerke

Event Producer
- Lauren.Bjerke@pra.com
Born and raised in a small town in central Illinois, Lauren joins the PRA Mid-South team with a passion for bringing people together. As a graduate from Illinois State University with a degree in Public Relations, Lauren has had the opportunity to expand her knowledge and intern with a multitude of different companies throughout her college career. She held positions as a Publicist Intern at Shore Fire Media, Event Planning Intern at Palace Events, and Travel Blog Writer at Southern Bride Magazine. This led her to a country club managerial role where she led a team of employees to help create ever-lasting experiences for members and guests. In her spare time Lauren enjoys traveling, exploring nature, trying new restaurants and coffee shops, going to concerts, and doing anything spontaneous! Throughout her many different professional roles and hobbies in her personal life, one thing has remained constant — her passion for creating and implementing unique ideas to give people an event they will remember forever. Lauren is excited to join the PRA team and call Nashville home!
Madison Cox

Experience Designer
- Madison.Cox@PRA.com
Madison is a rare Nashville native who was born and raised in Brentwood, TN and graduated from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville with a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing. Throughout college, she played a part in coordinating events and partnerships for a local boutique as well as for friends and family. After graduation, she began a position in Sales for Dell Technologies before joining PRA. She has always had a passion for planning, organizing and watching a vision come together. Her vibrant personality and attention to detail is what sets her apart. In her spare time, you can find Madison exploring Nashville with friends, working on a DIY project, or on the lake with her family!
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

“I highly recommend PRA for any size program you have. They are professional, prompt and creative. We threw a lot at them at the last minute, and they handled it perfectly. We will definitely work with them again.”

Cindy Smith

V-Sources, Inc

Business Partner