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-West Region.

Contact: Jacqueline.Marko@PRA.com

Luz Sierra, DMCP

Regional Managing Director, Mid-South

Luz joined PRA Atlanta in January 2007 as a Program Manager after being initiated into the DMC world in South Florida. Originally from Brooklyn, New York she combined her best attributes: flexibility, people skills, organization, resourcefulness and creativity to enter the DMC world. She found her passion and her niche! She brings over 15 years of DMC experience and has held many positions from Field Staff to her current title of Regional Managing Director, Mid-South Region.

She thrives in fast-paced, dynamic environments and loves working for PRA; a company she believes in! These past 11 years at PRA have allowed her to grow both personally and professionally. She greets every day and everyone with a smile! One of Luz’s greatest joys is to help others achieve their goals while having fun in the process. She adopted a phrase from one of her favorite mentors and industry leader, Denise Dornfeld – “teach who you touch to create an atmosphere of engagement.”

Contact: Luz.Sierra@PRA.com

Courtney Hudson

Regional Sales Manager

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: Christop.Miller@PRA.com

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

Margot Irwin

Regional Director of Events, Mid-South

What can’t you do with a set of pearls and a schedule of services? Nothing. This is Margot’s motto. Originally from Chattanooga, Tennessee, Margot moved to Nashville in 2008 to begin her professional career as the General Manager of one of the most beloved venues in the city, The Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum.

When the hall began to make preparations to move locations for the city's new convention center in 2011, Margot made the transition to PRA Nashville as an Operations Manager. Her knowledge of live event production and logistics led to a series of promotions. Proving that she is truly a rock star in all aspects of operations, Margot now serves as the Regional Director of Events for the Mid-South Region.

Contact: Margot.Irwin@PRA.com

Kayla Hadley, DMCP

Director of Events, Mid-South

Kayla has known since high school that the events industry would be her profession. Arming herself with a degree in hospitality management and tourism from the University of Kentucky, this Indiana native set out to learn every aspect of event production. From hotel logistics to wedding coordination, Kayla placed herself in a variety of jobs to make sure she knew it all.

All of this experience and knowledge came together in the form of the perfect career at PRA Business Events. Kayla rose through the ranks, first as an operations coordinator, then manager, and most recently the Director of Events in the Mid-South Region, leading a team of dynamic logistical experts!  Kayla recently earned her Destination Management Certified Professional (DMCP) designation in December 2018.

Contact: Kayla.Hadley@PRA.com

Brendon Lamphear

Event Producer

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