Jacqueline Marko, CMP, DMCP

Regional Vice President, Mid-South

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.

Contact: Jacqueline.Marko@PRA.com

Courtney Hudson

Director of Sales

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. Contact: Courtney.Hudson@PRA.com

Christoph Miller

Regional Sales Manager

Christoph Miller is a boomerang unicorn. That refers to someone who was born and raised in the Nashville area, moved away for a time and then returned to the city they love. Christoph grew up in Hendersonville, TN, a suburb 20 minutes north of Nashville. Upon graduating from Hendersonville High School (where he was voted “Most Dependable”) he went to college at Western Kentucky University, majoring in public relations and English.  On the weekends he would commute to Nashville to work at restaurants downtown.  After college Christoph moved to New York City and worked in public relations, representing brands such as Swiffer, Pfizer, Gerber Baby Food, Prilosec OTC and many more. Some of his favorite events involved creating a whimsical, over-the-top farmers market in the middle of New York City’s Union Square to launch Gerber’s new organic baby food line; and working with the Prilosec OTC team to partner with the Country Music Association on a cross-country bus tour with stops in multiple cities for concerts and events, culminating in a huge event outside Madison Square Garden in NYC before the CMA awards. After spending a few years as the events manager for the exclusive Hotel on Rivington, Christoph decided to move back home to the city he loves more than all others, Nashville.  Over the past few years Christoph has worked at some of the top hotels and event venues in Music City before becoming a part of the PRA family.  In addition to work, Christoph enjoys all the live music Nashville has to offer, time on the lakes and serving on committees for organizations such as the Forrest Spence Fund and Student Youth Travel Association’s (SYTA) Youth Foundation.  His knowledge and passion for Nashville, along with his creativity and attention to detail, make him a perfect fit his clients at PRA. Contact: Christoph.Miller@PRA.com

Abby Strawser

Director of Events

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.

Shannon Bates, MBA, CMP, DMCP

Regional Director of Experience Design, Mid-South

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.

Contact: Shannon.Bates@PRA.com

Brendon Lamphear

Event Manager

Brendon Lamphear has always had a passion for creating memorable events that bring people together. After attending CMA Fest (twice!) before graduating from St. John Fisher College in Rochester, NY, he was sold on making a life in the events industry in Nashville, TN. Though his career temporarily took him into the National Hockey League and locational changes of Los Angeles and New York City, Brendon couldn’t resist the call of Music City and returned to Nashville in 2019. His passion comes from seeing so many people who come out and support each event, and a career highlight for him was creating VIP Experiences while working for Khalid’s Free Spirit World Tour.

Brendon is a music lover, whether going to a live music experience or at home with is vinyl collection. When not creating incredible client experiences, you’ll find Brendon cheering on the Las Vegas Raiders, most likely with his favorite hot wings!

Contact: Brendon.Lamphear@PRA.com

Monica Eastes

Regional Program Finance Manager

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

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.