Jacqueline Marko, CMP, DMCP

Regional General Manager

Jackie was that girl in high school who planned both junior and senior proms and all of the class fundraisers. Jackie was also the lifelong organizer of activities for her and her twin sister (totally not identical in any sense of the word). It was only after obtaining a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Rutgers University in 2004 (she thought she wanted to be a therapist!) that she realized that she could no longer deny her true calling – event planning.

She 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. After PRA’s acquisition of Destination Nashville in 2018, Jackie is proud to serve as PRA's Regional General Manager for both the Nashville and Louisville offices.

Contact: Jacqueline.Marko@PRA.com

Debbie Sales, CMP

Vice President of Sales

When industry folks talk about being a pro, they are certainly talking about Debbie. A veteran of the hospitality industry, Debbie began her career in convention services and catering for Hyatt Hotels in Chicago. She relocated to Nashville to continue her career with Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center later moving into sales as Director of Midwest & Incentive Sales for the corporate market. Debbie came to the PRA Nashville office as Director of Sales in 2005 and now serves as Vice President of Sales and Creative.

Active in the local hospitality community, Debbie represents PRA Nashville with the Nashville Convention and Visitors Corp and on a national level with Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA). A graduate of Eastern Illinois University with a Master of Arts in Related Arts, Debbie was awarded the PCMA sponsored Learning Environmental Specialist (LES) and the Convention and Industry Council’s Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) designation.

Contact: Debbie.Sales@PRA.com

Tanya Cook

Director of Sales

Tanya grew up in Hattiesburg, Mississippi and attended the University of Southern Mississippi where she earned her bachelor’s degree in marketing.  Moving to Nashville in 2001, she worked for Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center in their internal DMC department.  When Gaylord awarded the DMC contract to PRA Nashville in 2004, Tanya was brought on board as a sales manager specializing in Gaylord events!  Her knowledge, creativity and fun loving personality are what make her a perfect match for her role as PRA Nashville’s Director of Sales! These days you can find Tanya cuddled up on the couch with her hubby and sweet yorkie Paisly, watching The Real Housewives of…anywhere!

Contact: Tanya.Cook@PRA.com

Shannon Bates, MBA, CMP, DMCP

Regional Director of Experience Design

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 Nashville's Regional Director of Experience Design for the Nashville and Louisville offices.

Contact: Shannon.Bates@PRA.com

Rita Davidson, DMCP

Director of Business Operations

Rita Davidson, a Nashville native, graduated from Belmont University in 2005 where she earned her bachelor’s degree in marketing. Rita was first introduced to the world of destination management through her event management class at Belmont and was instantly drawn to the company and its philosophy. Rita joined the operations team in 2006, working her way up through the ranks, now serving as the Director of Business Operations for PRA Nashville. Her knowledge and passion for her hometown keeps Rita energized when working with clients from around the globe. Rita loves to show off her city, striving to merge creativity and cutting edge design with logistics to create a memorable and well executed event.

Contact: Rita.Davidson@PRA.com

Monica Eastes

Office Manager & Executive Assistant

Southern charm and grace are just a phrase for most folks, but when you meet Monica you experience it firsthand. Monica was born in the small town of Athens, Ohio, and when her family moved to Nashville, she felt right at home. Although she received a degree in Healthcare Administration and Planning, Monica’s heart was always in the events industry. Her combination of administration and planning background, her knowledge of events, and a genuinely sweet personality allows her to be a calming force for our busy team.

Contact: Monica.Eastes@PRA.com

Megan Leander

Event Producer

Megan was born and raised in Hendersonville, Tennessee, just a short 25 minute drive from the heart of Nashville. Being so close, Megan always dreamed of a career that would involve the city. Megan studied Marketing and Management at the University of Tennessee at Martin that led to internships with Walt Disney World and Gaylord Hotel Resort & Convention Center.

Megan found her love of event operations during her time at one of Tennessee’s many venues, where she was able to fine-tune her skills of event coordination and production while providing detailed service to her clients. Megan knows the big payoff of an event is seeing your hard work and planning come to fruition with a successful event and happy client!

Contact: Megan.Leander@PRA.com

Margot Irwin

Senior Director of Event Production

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 PRA Nashville's Senior Director of Event Production.

Contact: Margot.Clark@PRA.com